The New Yorker Radio Hour cover image

The New Yorker Radio Hour

For Brontez Purnell, “Memoir Is Fiction—I Don’t Care What Anyone Says”

Feb 20, 2024
Brontez Purnell, a multi-talented artist, challenges traditional memoir writing by blurring the lines between truth and fiction. He discusses how he protects himself in his writing and addresses controversial topics like HIV and raw sexuality with a unique perspective.
18:25

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • In memoir writing, the author believes truth is subjective and often fictionalized to protect oneself and others.
  • The author challenges societal norms by portraying sex in an unromanticized, realistic manner in their writing.

Deep dives

Honoring Deep Platonic Love

The memoir discusses the author's tendency to uplift and celebrate deep platonic love in their work, highlighting the importance of these non-romantic connections in their life and writing. Through a section of the book called 'For Jackson Howard,' the author expresses their love for a friend and editor, emphasizing the significance of these platonic relationships that often go unnoticed in society.

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