David Gilmour on the sick, empty marriage in Truman Capote's short story Mojave

David Gilmour is a Canadian novelist and former television journalist and film critic. Born in London, Ontario, Gilmour later moved to Toronto for schooling. He is a graduate of Upper Canada College and the University of Toronto. In 1980 he became managing editor of the Toronto International Film Festival, a post he held for four years. In 1986 he joined CBC Television as a film critic for The Journal, eventually becoming host of the program's Friday night arts and entertainment show. In 1990, he began hosting Gilmour on the Arts, an arts show series on CBC Newsworld. In 1997 he left the CBC to concentrate full time on his writing. His 2005 novel A Perfect Night to Go to China won the 2005 Governor General's Award for English fiction. In 2007 he won two gold National Magazine Awards for his essay "My Life with Tolstoy" which appeared in The Walrus magazine. Today Gilmour is a Professor of Literary Studies at Victoria College at the U of T where he has taught Creative Writing and Literature since 2006. D​avid recently mentioned to me that he was a fan of Truman Capote. I suggested we get together to discuss one of his short stories. We settled on 'Mojave'. Here's our conversation. Warning: it gets a tad raunchy at times.

[@Hummingbirds2023]

It's 2:30am and I put this on to listen to because earlier I watched an interview with Truman Capote on the David Suskind show, it was very interesting. It was filmed in 1979, it said there was a part 2 I didn't find. But I did find this interview with David Gilmore. I really enjoyed this talk. What an interesting subject discussed by very intelligent men. I loved the entire recording very very much. A lot of insight I'm definitely interested in hearing at the age of 70. Thank you gentlemen. 👌💞

[@tomchiaromonte1919]

Have loved Capote's writings since reading A Christmas Memory decades ago. There is not one word in that beautiful piece that doesn't evoke such emotion in me. Have read everything he's written, have academic critiques of his work, traveled (twice) to Monroeville, AL, have paid my respects at his gravesite in Westwood, CA and am fortunate to have some signed copies of a few of his books. As Mr. Gilmour shared in this recording, Capote was a stylist, maybe even a perfectionist, and I think languished over every word to make certain they brought about a deep sense of emotion. A lofty opinion of course, a personal opinion, yes, but I believe Capote was one of, if not the best, American writer of the 20th century.

[@Penzy241]

A real joy to listen to this conversation. I only regret that I can't join in. Capote is essential to me. There are other writers who move me but none come close to the range and richness he evokes. I took a full year to read all his work in chronological order, then read all that was written about him, watched videos of him, whatever I could find. He was the most fascinating, complicated person. I yearn for conversations like this where quoting passages and serious investigations of the work happen. A million thanks!

[@timbutler6211]

I like learning from this guy

[@Ramuna-ip4qy]

My dear intelligent and extremely insightful late father used to say that the pigs get to drink the best water. How true.

[@kenw.simpson1007]

I was fascinated in this account of Truman Capote's writing - and his character. I have only read In Cold Blood - which entranced me - but as result of this discussion - I feel inclined to read more of Capote.

[@NigelBeale]

Great to hear. Mission accomplished!

[@richardpodnar5039]

Great decision, you won't regret it.

[@williamwoody7607]

I’d love to hear these two discuss “Light Years” by James Salter.

[@jennyhirschowitz1999]

Thank you …… pulled my copy from the shelf to read again after many years…… it was beside that other fine portrait of marriage, John Williams’ Stoner.

[@williamwoody7607]

@@jennyhirschowitz1999 Man I’ve read that novel 4 or 5 times now and I just can’t get over how it changes for me. It really is a savage portrait of the generation that brought us the boomers. And written before there was any such designation. I can’t help but wonder if it could possibly be made into a 6 or 10 part serial on HBO. I see a 1972 Ali Magraw as Nedra.

[@dd911]

Would have been nice to see video…..staring at one photo is quite distracting

[@barbarakirsch2538]

It is known that he held contempt fir rich people. Am I wrong? I love his writing style!

[@barbarakirsch2538]

Excuse the typo

[@anitarichmond8930]

Life is a smorgasborg eat hardly, drink from every cup, squeeze every grape and soak it all in, life is about living, so let the games begin🏆

[@doodahman2995]

Though this was a Pink Floyd interview. Oops

[@rdlewis3616]

That comment about men in which he was uninterested wanting Truman and yet he never got any of the one he wanted is the case for many of us, and even though I was married twice, I think I settled and hoped for the best. It didn’t work.

[@dijonstreak]

NO Bi-men........?????!!!! are you......SERIOUS. ????!!!!

[@terr777]

I do wonder sometimes if Capote had to wait for the hangings of Hickok and Smith so that they couldn't dispute anything he wrote about them.

[@elizabethfreshour4828]

At 16 minutes the gay hairdresser whose lover leaves him for a woman. It happens all the time. Sometimes young men will dally with a wealthy older male lover but then realize they are, for the most part. straight. In fact, did this not happen to Capote himself? With the air conditioner repairman?