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_cherryvanilla_ in the_doves_diner

Most recent New York Times article

Jan 10, 2006 00:47

The Unmasking of JT Leroy: In Public, He's a She
By WARREN ST. JOHN
Published: January 9, 2006

It has been one of the most bizarre literary mysteries in recent memory: Who, exactly, is the novelist JT Leroy? An answer, at long last, is taking shape...

Read the rest in today's New York Times, here

Comments 5

inanis_sum January 10 2006, 01:48:19 UTC

I wonder who Jt's going to be next, my mum?

My question is when did Jt say he was dying of AIDs? Where did I miss that? Also what are all the people who write these articles really trying to accomplish?

_cherryvanilla_ January 10 2006, 02:03:04 UTC

My dad? :)

I never read any article when he said he was HIV positive, I've just read the articles reporting that he had said so at one point.

I think each person writing the articles has different motivations for doing so - some are trying to protect their job or professional credibility (NY Times), some are doing so out of what appears to be a bit of vendetta (Steven Beachey), others out of interest in a good story (the Guardian writer), and others - friends and peers - out of a sense of hurt that they have been manipuated and taken advantage of by someone who claimed he was something/someone he was not. All are understandable reasons, some more admirable than others.

inanis_sum January 10 2006, 02:28:01 UTC

Yes, you seem to be right about the motivations.

It will be fascinating to see what all comes out of this liteary riff-raff. Currently I'll just sit back and see where it all goes. I wish people would use actual facts though. A theory is still only a theory until it is proven.

dew_dropped January 10 2006, 23:31:14 UTC

I think those who believe him also may have admirable and not so admirable motivations. To many people having been close to him and feeling special because of that relationship may be too hard to give up. Others may feel that they should not give up hope until the last possible minute, because it would be disloyal. Some are really not convinced with the allegations, or like my daddy used to say: they have to see the balls to know it's a man-- in this case vagina = woman.
Some, like me, unfortunately, just can't give up the hope that it's really just some huge misunderstanding, and are waiting patiently for JT to clear it all up, while simultaneously thinking s/he may be full of shit.

(The comment has been removed)

synergized January 10 2006, 18:33:37 UTC

And the purpose of a novel is to sell books. Controversy sells well there, too. That's part of the reason that people were drawn to these books, because the subject matter was different and interesting. And, partially, because of the mythology that the author built up around him/herself.

I just think it's a bit tiring that people are taking journalists to task for doing their job - finding an interesting story (which this definitely is) and reporting it. I'm interested to see how it plays out, too.