What is Percival Everett Up To?

[@tgrenful]

I enjoyed your list. My two cents, it is o.k. to be a fan of Everett (which I think you and I are) but not a fanboy. I believe fanboys think their idol(s) can do no wrong. I appreciate his work but I do not idolize him or any writer. I've met enough writers to be disabused of idolization. That being said I do have the goal of reading all of Everett's novels this year. Yes, there's no zealot like a convert. I also have pre-ordered his new book James for March 19. Take care.

[@BookishTexan]

That is exactly what I think of fanboys as well. When I do find a new to me author that I read compulsively I can struggle with blurring my love of their books with idolizing them as a writer. Usually, I avoid that by digging into the authors biography which is why I sought out interviews with Everett. He is an interesting person, but he said some things about his writing process that usually make me roll my eyes so I think the spell has been broken in terms of idolizing the person. It also helps that as a 56 year old man I don't really fall into parasocial relationships that lead to idolatry.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

Just wanted to let you know I read the first chapter of Erasure and I LOVED it. I’m going to have to wait to fully dive in for a month or two cause it required reads, but I have a good feeling I’m going to love it. So glad you recommended it to me!

[@BookishTexan]

That’s good to hear. Still planning on making July my Jimmy Stack reading month.

[@thefantasynuttwork]

@@BookishTexan you’re a brave man hahaha

[@readandre-read]

I've read four of the five that you've read and I agree with your ranking. I love his skewerings of post modernism, academia and rhe writing/publishing communities. The Trees is other level!

[@BookishTexan]

I love that too. I think that Dr. No was fun because it did the same for James Bond, but still showed appreciation for the form.

[@ianp9086]

I loved the Trees and have four on the shelf for later this year (Virgil Russell, Telephone, Watershed and American Desert) and I have a ticket to see him give a talk next month! Really looking forward to that. I guess having only read one I can’t be a fan boy but it is so exciting to discover an author that you enjoy so much and with such an extensive back catalogue (child in sweetshop!). I am feeling the same with Benjamin Myers and Jon Fosse at the moment and in the past have embarked on reading all of William Trevor, Toni Morrison and Alice Munro for the same reason (and still have a few more by those authors to get to). It’s one of the joys of reading!

[@BookishTexan]

I love discovering a new writer. It feels like Christmas in a way. And finding a new writer with so many backlisted books who is still writing and writing well is even better. I want to read Myers "Cuddy" but I don't think it is available in the US. I haven't checked kindle. I haven't read Munro somehow, but all the other authors on your list are people that I have binged and love.

[@ianp9086]

@@BookishTexanI'd be happy to mail you a copy of Cuddy if you are having trouble getting hold of it.

[@artstories52]

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I first read the trees and then in pretty quick succession I read so much blue, erasure and telephone. I also plan on reading the new book James.

[@BookishTexan]

I’m glad to hear that. I can’t wait for James.

[@awebofstories]

I have yet to read Percival Everett but have heard nothing but good things about him. I'm thinking that I'll probably start with James as I'm almost finished with my (first ever) reading of Huck Finn. Embrace your fandom!

[@BookishTexan]

That would be a great first Everett since you will have Huck Finn so fresh in your mind.

[@markhnk]

I haven’t read anything from Everett yet, so this is the perfect video to help me chose where to start. Thanks!

[@alldbooks9165]

Interesting conversation on many levels. The first two fanboy authors that came to mind for me were Khaled Hosseini and Zora Neale Hurston. I have other authors that I’ve been compulsively reading all their works like Amy Tan and Steinbeck, but haven’t done a deep dive of them on the internet. Okay, maybe I take that back, lol. I know quite a bit about them, too, especially from their nonfiction works. Percival Everett falls in a different category. An author whose book absolutely blew me away so much so that I’m nervous to read any of their other works for fear they might not live up to expectations. Stephen Graham Jones is like that, too, which you also talked me into reading. They’re both such niche books. Literary horror/mystery. I’m not often drawn to mystery but The Trees and The Only Good Indians really hit my sweet spot, although there was nothing sweet about them, obviously. The premise of James has me intrigued though, so I will be dipping my toes in the Percival Everett waters again as soon as it hits the bookstores.

[@alldbooks9165]

And I meant to add that I’ve just finished The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and was completely blown out of the water. I had already read The Color of Water which was equally impressive. I’m reading Deacon King Kong this month and I’m sure I’ll get to Good Lord Bird later this year. James McBride is fast heading toward fanboy status.

[@BookishTexan]

I have yet to read McBride which is a real gap in my reading. Hopefully I will later this year. Everett’s books are so different from one another and there are so many that I feel the pull of fanboydom more than usual. I do love a big project and the idea of learning about something when there is a lot to learn. I think that I might tire of the “idea” novels that he seems to write, but that hasn’t happened yet.

[@Elizabeth-Reads]

Everett deserves your fanboydom! It just amazes me how different each of his books are from each other. (Assumption and I Am Not Sydney Poitier are also fantastic reads.) I've been reading (listening to) Huck Finn in preparation for James, which I'd pre-ordered months ago. (When I saw the blurb in a PW post last year I actually gasped.) I can't wait.

[@BookishTexan]

I think it’s ok to fanboy a little. It as long as it doesn’t become hero worship. The variety of Everett’s subjects is so unusual. Can’t wait for James. I think I’ll listen to an audio of Huck Finn as my reread.

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

Another brilliant video, Brian. You know, I don’t see you as a “fanboy” as that term has kind of pejorative connotations. Rather, I see you as a smart, serious reader who sets about digging deeply into the work of writers that you admire. It’s exciting when you find a writer that invites this kind of deep reading. And your intelligent enthusiasm is also infectious. I haven’t read nearly as much of Everett as you have, but now I want to read more. Thanks again for these thoughtful videos.

[@BookishTexan]

Thank you Pat. I am hoping to find somethings about Everett that I don't love 😁 while digging into his biography and backlist to break my slide toward fanboydom. He said somethings about how he writes books that if said by another author would have me doubting. So there is hope that I will avoid it.

[@pjreads]

Thanks for the link to the Everett interview. One of the best ever.

[@BookishTexan]

You are welcome.

[@hasteyebooks]

Great video and review of Everett's work that you've read! I adored The Trees when I read it for the Booker and it definitely made me want to pick up more of his books. I'll look up Erasure next :)

[@BookishTexan]

Thank you. I hope you like Erasure.

[@eyesonindie]

Ooh! I've only read Dr. No and loved it. I own The Trees and want to get to that soon too! It's ok to be a little bit of a fan boy!!!

[@BookishTexan]

Thanks Sarah.

[@myreadinglife8816]

I’ve only read the Trees so far. Must get to more Everett! Particularly interested in James.

[@BookishTexan]

I started Janes today. A publicist for Random House saw this video and sent me a copy.

[@TimeTravelReads]

That one writing Huck Fin from Jim's perspective sounds interesting. When that comes out, I'd like to see if my library picks it up.

[@BookishTexan]

I am really looking forward to it.

[@MarcNash]

The writing about the mother character in "Erasure" with Alzheimer's is rather beautiful I think, so he can do it when he chooses! I had no idea there were different versions of "Telephone". I just reveiewed his debut novel "Suder" and it's all there even at the beginning, although without quite as much brio as he later offers

[@BookishTexan]

You are right. His writing can be beautiful. I saw your review of Suder which only further fed my fanboy interest.

[@HannahsBooks]

He absolutely must have known that he was writing a postmodern novel-not just known but intended to write postmodern novel-or at least a send-up of one. I can’t wait to read his James!

[@BookishTexan]

I expressed myself poorly. He definitely intended to write a send up of a postmodern novel, but I wondered if he realized at some point that he was writing a good postmodern novel.😁

[@HannahsBooks]

@@BookishTexan Ah! And you probably perfectly clear; I just watched before I had morning caffeine…

[@JzyShzy]

Ha! I'm listening to Erasure right now. The paper he reads at the conference is quite the brain teaser... well it flew by me quite quickly, but perfect for the main character. I wondered if it had to do with the movie, the plot sounding so similar, guess I'm doing a side read for my Oscar night. Great to find living a author to enthuse about.

[@BookishTexan]

Thanks Jay. I read the book then saw the movie. Loved both, but I realize now that I will have to reread Erasure to separate the two. Monk's speech is, I think, typical of Everett's "too smart for the room" characters. In his professional life Monk is an uncomfortable character to root for.

[@lizh9497]

The movie American Fiction is based on Erasure. I haven’t watched it yet but the trailer looks great.

[@BookishTexan]

I saw the movie in January right after reading the book. I thought the adaptation was very well done. The movie is definitely worth your time.

[@BookishTexan]

@@loadishstone That is really interesting. It is possible that I, a 56 year old, suburban living white guy, am out of the loop in terms of what our culture fetishizes and hates. I thought the satire of the white, "intellectual" , elite in the publishing and book buying world was well done. As for Monk's defaulting to European culture I don't think we are supposed to necessarily agree with Monk and I don't think Everett does. I think he is intended to be a sympathetic, but not entirely likable character who Everett intends to satirize as well. Monk who can't break through as a writer by writing books in the European Intellectual tradition, that his breakthrough comes with My Pafology skewers both he and the world of publishing. That's my opinion, but I am really interested in yours and thankful to you for sharing it. Please feel free to continue this discussion if you would like.

[@joshyaks]

I started this video thinking about fanboys and ended it reading Tim Minchin quotes, so all-in-all it was a good experience.

[@BookishTexan]

Glad to hear it.

[@mtnshelby7059]

Three since January...I'd say this author owes you a dozen roses 😂

[@BookishTexan]

Ha! I agree.

[@headlessspaceman5681]

I know that feeling when you stumble on an author and can't stop reading their books... You might also like Denis Johnson.

[@BookishTexan]

I read Johnson’s Train Dreams not long ago and liked it. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@FrankOdonnell-ej3hd]

guess I'll have to look up percival everett and I might even read dr no since the only tattoo I have is the word "no" haha⚛😀

[@BookishTexan]

That is a great tattoo idea. I don't have any myself, primarily because I could never think of anything I would want on me forever. But my niece and nephew called me "Uncle No" for quite a while and now I wish I had gotten that tattoo.

[@gaylep4404]

Loved The Trees, just finished James, Telephone is next! Call me a fan-girl?

[@BookishTexan]

Absolutely fan girl! Telephone was very good.

[@marianryan2991]

Been wanting to check out one of his novels, and went off to order Telephone after your video. Grief and death are two pet subjects these days, lol. On Googling him I learned that his wife is a novelist too, and her work sounds interesting to me too. With all due respect, I hypothesize that you may been a "bro" with the 20th century classic male writers, at least Hemingway. I'm not sure if Garcia Marquez is bro-able. In my taxonomy, you have to be a straight white male writer/artist to be bro-able. ( ;

[@BookishTexan]

I was definitely a bro reader for a long time. Morrison and BookTube snapped me out of it. Telephone is powerful.

[@angusmckeogh659]

Telephone. I've read thousands of novels throughout my life and Telephone is one of maybe 3-5 books that have actually made me cry. Shame. Damn it's good. And The Trees was Donald Trump's 2020 Novel of the Year!

[@BookishTexan]

Telephone is powerful. I doubt Trump reads though.🤓

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

So Everett is perfect, the only person possibly writing good fiction, and he should be the model for everyone else (?!?!) 😂

[@BookishTexan]

Haha! Exactly. Everett is the God of Writing!🤓

[@Barklord]

These all sound good to me. Did you mention a good place to start? Edit: A (short) video popped up about Ireland's immigration housing problem. I commented on it, but it went to your video. I'm sorry if anyone thought it inappropriate for your video. It was.

[@BookishTexan]

I havent seen that comment, but thank you. I think The Trees is truly great so you cant go wrong starting there. The five books of his that I have read are all different so I'm not sure there is a book that will give you a introduction to what he is about.

[@LaurieInTexas]

I don't think you fit the fanboy type as your video discussed. You aren't coming on booktube whining that there are no other good writers besides Percival Everett. You are a fan in the truest sense of the word. I have only read The Trees, and I'm not sure several of his others sound like they are for me but James sounds interesting.

[@BookishTexan]

Thank you. You are right I won’t be whining about him being better than all other writers.