I quite enjoyed PRIVATE CITIZENS and used it as a comparable when querying. Some agents told me it was a risky choice because the novel was "polarizing." That's how I knew I was on the right track.
My favorite Tony-themed interview this go-round (and way more interesting than the NYT piece). I was in Tony’s Stanford-and-after-Stanford writing group before we split into East Coast and West Coast factions; he’s always been an astounding writer, but based on what I’ve read about this book (haven’t read it yet), this is where he’s really hit his stride. Leave it to you to ask all the right questions.
Reading through the collection now, there's an intensity to the stories not tension persay because it's pretty clear where the main character is headed(from the title at least) but an intensity to the way the the stories approach their doomed ends that get's your heart racing. I've talked with multiple people who've needed breaks to get through Mr Feminist and Pics just due to the sheer intensity of it.
Been a big fan of Tulathimutte ever since I first read Private Citizens back in 2016. One of the actually fearless writers in the mainstream out there right now, willing to write whatever, even if people will inevitably associate his grotesque characters with him. I read a galley copy of Rejection months ago and loved it, and I'm currently re-reading it in prep for my own review/essay.
Very interesting to read how Ahegao developed since that segment he speaks of is such a dominant and unforgettable part of the story. Yet it started out as little more than a footnote? Also, it's very true what he said about premature acceptance being worse than premature rejection when it comes to writing. I've read novels that had good premises but should've spent more time in the oven, so the speak. And you only get one chance to write a specific novel. Some of my own earlier fiction work was, in retrospect, better off rejected, and may they rest in peace (for now).
This is my first time reading about Tony. I already downloaded "Rejections" and I'm blown away. The "simple" style is in reality a very complex tapestry of prose and storytelling that few writers can pull off. It's surgical in its precision through the choice of words. I'm so happy to have found his work.
I just raced through this book in about three hours, what a ride! I'm 66 and consider myself well read in many genres, but this book is unlike anything I've ever read in my life. Imaginative, incredibly well written, SHOCKING in both form and content. There were many passages I found so well crafted from a purely technical point of view I reread them just for the sheer delight of seeing words put together like that. This book will never leave my head.
I'll be picking this up shortly.
I quite enjoyed PRIVATE CITIZENS and used it as a comparable when querying. Some agents told me it was a risky choice because the novel was "polarizing." That's how I knew I was on the right track.
My favorite Tony-themed interview this go-round (and way more interesting than the NYT piece). I was in Tony’s Stanford-and-after-Stanford writing group before we split into East Coast and West Coast factions; he’s always been an astounding writer, but based on what I’ve read about this book (haven’t read it yet), this is where he’s really hit his stride. Leave it to you to ask all the right questions.
Thank you so much!
Reading through the collection now, there's an intensity to the stories not tension persay because it's pretty clear where the main character is headed(from the title at least) but an intensity to the way the the stories approach their doomed ends that get's your heart racing. I've talked with multiple people who've needed breaks to get through Mr Feminist and Pics just due to the sheer intensity of it.
Been a big fan of Tulathimutte ever since I first read Private Citizens back in 2016. One of the actually fearless writers in the mainstream out there right now, willing to write whatever, even if people will inevitably associate his grotesque characters with him. I read a galley copy of Rejection months ago and loved it, and I'm currently re-reading it in prep for my own review/essay.
Very interesting to read how Ahegao developed since that segment he speaks of is such a dominant and unforgettable part of the story. Yet it started out as little more than a footnote? Also, it's very true what he said about premature acceptance being worse than premature rejection when it comes to writing. I've read novels that had good premises but should've spent more time in the oven, so the speak. And you only get one chance to write a specific novel. Some of my own earlier fiction work was, in retrospect, better off rejected, and may they rest in peace (for now).
This is my first time reading about Tony. I already downloaded "Rejections" and I'm blown away. The "simple" style is in reality a very complex tapestry of prose and storytelling that few writers can pull off. It's surgical in its precision through the choice of words. I'm so happy to have found his work.
Brilliant! Thank you for the lovely interview. This immediately made it to my to-read list.
I just raced through this book in about three hours, what a ride! I'm 66 and consider myself well read in many genres, but this book is unlike anything I've ever read in my life. Imaginative, incredibly well written, SHOCKING in both form and content. There were many passages I found so well crafted from a purely technical point of view I reread them just for the sheer delight of seeing words put together like that. This book will never leave my head.
quite the endorsement. added this book to my list.
I like the dumpiest idea 💡 thing
“Pick your dumbest idea and write it as seriously as possible.” Yep. Humor is dependent on irony. Humor is irony