How very illuminating this interview was! I’ve loved Mary Gaitskill’s writing since I found Bad Behavior in the bargain bin at B. Dalton’s. I was 14 and completely mesmerized. I was particularly drawn to her descriptions of emotional states. I memorized large chunks of that book.
I've loved Gaitskill's writing since the '90s, but "go home and look between yr legs" is not an argument. The kids were talking about gender, and she referred to biological sex. (Also, pedantically: verbs are capitalized in titles, including "is.")
"How has your experience with Substack been? To what extent does your writing on Substack harmonize with the rest of your writing life; to what extent does it distract from it?"
"My experience with Substack was wonderful for two-three years. I’d never been on social media before or connected with people virtually like that and I was surprised at how fun and genuine it could be... And then Substack seemed to change, become less intimate and more of a machine, with constant upselling and bombardment of “Notes.”
Mary Gaitsill! "Bad Bevaior" changed me as a woman and a writer when I was young. No one else can write these searing sentences. This interview has reignited my interest in this fantastic, mysterious writer. Thank you Sam for bringing her forth again.
Fantastic interview. Gaitskill is an incredible talent and human.
I like this interview very much. A great deal of it resonates. Thanks for making it happen, Sam.
How very illuminating this interview was! I’ve loved Mary Gaitskill’s writing since I found Bad Behavior in the bargain bin at B. Dalton’s. I was 14 and completely mesmerized. I was particularly drawn to her descriptions of emotional states. I memorized large chunks of that book.
Wonderful feature and a nice nod for Republic of Letters to showcase Mary Gaitskill.
Sam, I really enjoyed this interview. Thank you.
I've loved Gaitskill's writing since the '90s, but "go home and look between yr legs" is not an argument. The kids were talking about gender, and she referred to biological sex. (Also, pedantically: verbs are capitalized in titles, including "is.")
"How has your experience with Substack been? To what extent does your writing on Substack harmonize with the rest of your writing life; to what extent does it distract from it?"
"My experience with Substack was wonderful for two-three years. I’d never been on social media before or connected with people virtually like that and I was surprised at how fun and genuine it could be... And then Substack seemed to change, become less intimate and more of a machine, with constant upselling and bombardment of “Notes.”
Mary Gaitsill! "Bad Bevaior" changed me as a woman and a writer when I was young. No one else can write these searing sentences. This interview has reignited my interest in this fantastic, mysterious writer. Thank you Sam for bringing her forth again.