The Daily The Sunday Read: ‘An Acerbic Young Writer Takes Aim at the Identity Era’
19 snips
Oct 20, 2024 
Tony Tulathimutte, a Thai-American writer acclaimed for "The Feminist" and "Private Citizens," joins literary journalist Giles Harvey for an engaging discussion. They explore Tulathimutte's bold approach to identity politics and the backlash he faced over his controversial work. The conversation dives into the delicate balance between authorial intention and reader perception in today's cancel culture. Tulathimutte also shares his journey from tech to literature, illustrating how personal pain and community foster authentic storytelling.
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Preemptive Clarification
- Tony Tulathimutte prefaced his short story "The Feminist" by clarifying his support for feminism.
- This was a preemptive measure to distance himself from the protagonist's misogynistic views.
The Feminist's Downfall
- The protagonist, a self-proclaimed feminist, struggles with rejection from women and joins an online misogynistic group.
- He ultimately commits a violent act, highlighting the story's disturbing trajectory.
Conflating Author and Protagonist
- Despite Tulathimutte's disclaimer, readers conflated him with his misogynistic protagonist.
- He received significant online backlash and was approached by strangers about the story.
