Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Hilton Als, renowned for his incisive critiques at The New Yorker, discusses his latest memoir capturing the essence of Prince and reflects on the literary giants that influenced him, including Joan Didion and Adrienne Kennedy. He shares insights on the delicate balance of memory and storytelling, reminiscing about his upbringing in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Als dives deep into the interplay of familial relationships and personal identity, highlighting the intricate connection between art and legacy while offering a poignant reading that emphasizes the power of self-expression.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Profile Writing Approach
Approach profile writing by listening constructively and observing the subject.
Give yourself over to the situation and avoid interrupting the emotional panorama.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Prince's Need for Approval
Hilton Als observed Prince's desire for approval from Black men, finding it touching.
Prince's need for others challenged Als's expectations of mega-famous personalities.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Writing and Mother's Influence
Als started writing at eight years old in Brownsville, Brooklyn, encouraged by his mother.
His mother, his first editor, provided positive feedback and a sense of acceptance.
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Set in Hawaii and Southeast Asia at the end of the Vietnam War, 'Democracy' follows Inez Christian Victor, the wife of Senator Harry Victor, and her complex relationship with Jack Lovett, a CIA agent and war profiteer. The novel delves into themes of American politics, public and private life, the media, and image management. It is narrated by Joan Didion, who presents herself as an acquaintance of Inez, adding a layer of personal and reflective storytelling. The book is characterized by its fragmented structure, reflecting the anxiety and sense of helplessness of the modern age, and it critiques the superficiality of liberal politics and the disillusionment of contemporary life.
White Girls
Hilton Als
White Girls is a hybrid of memoir, criticism, fiction, and non-fiction that creates a complex portrait of 'white girls', a term Als uses to describe figures such as Truman Capote, Flannery O’Connor, and Malcolm X. The book delves into themes of racial and gender identity, examining topics like the AIDS epidemic and the comedian Richard Pryor. It is characterized by its lyrical and layered approach to issues of privilege, identity, and interpersonal relationships, often blurring the lines between personal narrative and critical analysis.
The last thing he wanted
Joan Didion
The story centers on Elena McMahon, a reporter for The Washington Post, who quits her job to care for her father after her mother's death. She inherits his position as an arms dealer for the U.S. Government in Central America and becomes entangled in a complex web of spies, American military personnel, and the consequences of her father's actions. The narrative explores themes of power, memory, and the subjective nature of truth, set against the backdrop of the tumultuous political landscape of Central America in the 1980s.
A Movie Star Has to Be in Black and White
A Movie Star Has to Be in Black and White
Adrienne Kennedy
My Pinup
My Pinup
Hilton Als
Joan Didion, What She Means
Joan Didion, What She Means
Joan Didion
Smile, Please
Smile, Please
Jean Rhys
Book of Common Prayer
Church of England Staff
The Book of Common Prayer is a foundational liturgical text of the Anglican Communion. First published in 1549 during the reign of Edward VI, it was compiled primarily by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury. The book includes complete forms of service for daily and Sunday worship, such as Morning and Evening Prayer, the Litany, Holy Communion, and services for baptism, confirmation, marriage, visitation of the sick, and burial. It has undergone several revisions, notably in 1552, 1559, 1604, and 1662, with the 1662 version remaining the standard for most Anglican churches. The book is known for its beautiful language and its role in shaping Anglican doctrine and worship[1][3][4].
For the holiday week, we’re revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and critic Hilton Als.
At the top, we unpack his approach to writing profiles (5:50), inspired by the words of photographer Diane Arbus (6:10), and how he captured Prince in a new, two-part memoir entitled My Pinup(7:55). Then, Als reflects on his upbringing in Brownsville, Brooklyn (10:25), a timely passage from his 2020 essay "Homecoming" (14:40), and formative works by writers Adrienne Kennedy (20:58) and the late Joan Didion (27:05).
On the back-half, we discuss the interplay of memory and writing (36:38), Hilton’s writing routine (40:55), his sources of hope today (44:30), and to close, a dialogue from Jean Rhys’ unfinished autobiography Smile Please (48:25).
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