The current New Yorker Fiction is about a Young NYC Gay Prostitute

[Rod Hagen]

Good, not great. Correction, it's last week's New Yorker.

http://www.newyorker.com/fiction/features/2011/08/01/110801fi_fiction_torres?currentPage=all

[bcohen7719]

Thank you for posting this, Rod!

 

BC

[JoeyBryant]

I read the whole thing! I agree, good...but not great.

 

Pretty suspenseful, but I just couldn't keep grasp of what was happening once the paragraphs switched. So basically he's an escort who's living with his BF in NYC, but then they go to Virginia to meet a farmer for what?

 

Probably have to read thru it again but Rod perhaps you could clarify?

 

OH! OKAY, I get it. From the title reverting to a wild state. He actually went back in time or something? Like he went backwards and digressed to a previous state?

 

I can't read the whole thing over again but just kind of going back thru it kind of makes sense. But why did they move to begin with, and were they permanently staying with the farmer?

 

Kind of leaves me with some questions unanswered or not fully explained.

[KMEM]

Yes, he (they) went back.....to the beginning. Is this a story that is or would be a candidate for the worst stories, full of cliches, etc.? Or, is it simply "another" New Yorker "experience"?

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[nate_sf]

I'll third the good-not-great assessment. The first section ("3") is indeed tedious and full of cliches... I mean, does anyone really get hired for one of these housecleaning gigs, and get snarky jaded comments from the doorman? But the rest I thought was OK. The bookstore part in "1" rang most true for me out of everything.

[uwsman2]

I find these stories structured in reverse chronology to be less than satisfying. So I also join in the good-not-great assessment.

[bcohen7719]

Agreed. I think the "reverse story-telling" is intended to be poetic.

To me, it is just confusing.

 

BC

[Rod Hagen]

So I just finished this guy's first book, and it's EXCELLENT!!! and he's cute too, bonus!

http://www.justin-torres.com/bio.html

[Rod Hagen]

Hey Gosh darn it, I don't recommend a book lightly. Validate me!!! :-)

[nate_sf]

Hey Gosh darn it, I don't recommend a book lightly. Validate me!!! :-)

 

I'll give the book a try. Overview sounds interesting, and if it comes recommended all the better.

[Racketjock]

My fun, fit, friendly, fucker, I will be happy to violate you and your choices in books. However, this one if a good suggestion and a great read.