all this happened, more or less
I was sad to read last night of Kurt Vonnegut’s death.When I was about 15 years old, I remember hearing Vonnegut’s name on TV or something, and I made the connection that he’d written Slaughterhouse-Five (which, curiously enough, I recalled being discussed in the film Footloose a few years before). I went to the newsstand where I usually bought my comics in search of the book but the only Vonnegut title they had in stock was Hocus Pocus. I bought it and read it in great gulps — mainly because it made like zero sense to me. I just couldn’t get what all the fuss was about. The story seemed fragmented and really not all that compelling. I’d started reading a lot of suspense novels in those days (stuff like Ira Levin and Dean Koontz, god help us all) so Vonnegut’s style and agenda just perplexed me.
Mainly, it drove me crazy to think that this person was famous — lauded, even — because I thought the book was just dreadful. But ever the glutton for punishment, and bent on figuring out why he was so celebrated, I went to a different bookstore (the fancy B. Dalton’s at the mall, I think) and bought Slaughterhouse-Five. And then I understood. This would become one of those touchstone books for me that made me see literature and storytelling in a new light. I can’t imagine what I’d think of it now; it's been 15 years, after all, and maybe it doesn’t matter, because the damage is done.
While we’re talking books, last week I had the chance to meet Kevin Sessums, a celebrity journalist who was in town to promote his new memoir, Mississippi Sissy. I went to his event at Outwrite with no real intention of buying the book (bad, I know) but after hearing Kevin read, I knew I had to have a copy. He perfectly captures the cadence of Southern dialogue, and the peculiar worldview of a child growing up different in the deep South. I chatted with Kevin after the event at a cocktail party hosted by E. Lynn Harris, and we talked about what a bitch it is to write a memoir that’s actually true and meaning. He’s managed to do both.My friend Heather has started a little book-club blog, and I posted a bit about Sessums's book there, also.
2 Comments:
Tray,
I recently read this article as well as the one in Genre magazine. As to this article - I couldn't agree more - Slaughter-house Five and Mississippi Sissy are amazing - each in their own right. I live in New Orleans and Mississippi Sissy was very compelling to me.
Now, to where I wanted to go in my commentary to you. Congratulations Mr. Butler. Your article in Genre was accurate and poignant. I am a 38 year old attorney who was recently informed by his wife of fourteen years that he was gay. You know what - it took me a while to emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually recognize and accept it. But she was right. So now - here I am a 38 year old (thank God I look much younger) with the randiness and naivity of a 16 year old in the world of gay dating (although I have been told that the two words are diametrically opposed). And I thought it was just me - but hot coat checks quickly become friends (who dont mind me buying them dinner and drinks). And even when the 7th drink turns into a lustfull evening, the next day it is as if nothing happened at all.
I personally thought that I was the one who gave mixed signals because I hid my feelings even from myself for so many years. Your Darwinistic discourse shared with me insight into the screwed up mind of many a gay men. Which leads me to two cliches in closing: Knowing is half the battle - but - Ignorance is bliss.
Great writing Tray. Thank you for your authorship.
Peace and Success!
Scott
Scott: Thanks for reading. Good luck with your journey. I know a lot of men who have come out in late and have gone on to have astounding adventures in the gay world. It's never too late.
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