Paul Beatty’s Booker-winning Novel Is a Sublime, Savage Satire About Modern-day Racism in America. The Author Tells Trisha Gupta Why No One—not Even Him—should Be Off the Table to Poke Fun at.
In 2016, Paul Beatty became the first American writer to win the Man Booker prize. The surreal tale of an urban farmer who re-institutes segregation and slavery in his corner of Los Angeles, The Sellout was rejected by 18 UK publishers before an independent press called Oneworld took it on. The book’s whiplash wit slices through the smug fog of political correctness surrounding race, class and just about everything in America. Yet, there’s an inspired everyday lyricism to the writing, which owes something to Beatty’s past as a poet. Nothing is sacred in this book, yet everything he touches in it—from the LA public bus system to old-school Hollywood racism—feels almost spiritual. We met Beatty at the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), in January 2017, and talked about watermelons, stereotypes, life after the Booker, and why ‘intellectual’ isn’t a label he minds…
ELLE: I thought The Sellout was more brutal, much angrier, than the reviews let on.
Paul Beatty: I don’t think of it as angry. Sad, sometimes. But it’s interesting how people read things. During the Man Booker event, the moderator said, “Paul, your book is so angry!” There was a book there about a guy serial-killing people, another about a woman who plots this murder. How come those [books] aren’t angry and mine is? I’m not saying it’s not angry...
ELLE: ...but other things are angry too. Yes, I see. A different question: what does fictionalising real stuff do for you?
この記事は Elle India の June 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は Elle India の June 2017 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
FULL THROTTLE
F2 rising star Kush Maini on his racing journey & challenges in motorsport. Ekta Sinha hitches a ride
VIJAY VARMA MAN OF THE MOMENT
Amidst the barrage of releases, Vijay Varma's dignified reticence is enveloped in thoughtful consideration, reports Ipsita Kaul
ROHIT SARAF THE GEN Z STAR
The new generation heartthrob talks about his love for romcoms, music, and future endeavours with Ekta Sinha
Roaring RAJASTHAN
From Jawai's dramatic landscape and Jaisalmer's rich heritage to Ranthambore's enthralling wilderness-Isha Mayer explores SUJÁN's luxurious, eco-conscious hospitality offerings in the beautiful state
Ectoin: The Skin's New Defence
Krishika Bhatia explores a revolutionary skincare breakthrough that merges nature and science, featuring insights from industry experts
Nigella's WORLD
The British celebrity chef shares the secret recipe to her effortless charm in the kitchen with Isha Mayer
ADRIATIC DRIFT
Stari Grad is Croatia's hidden gem waiting to be explored, finds Isha Mayer
Unapologetically MOSTLY SANE
The multi-hyphenate artist fills Maahi Shah in on the fun things she's working on, what meeting Michelle Obama was like, & how she stays grounded
SANYA MALHOTRA POWERHOUSE OF VERSATILITY
The actor lets Maahi Shah in on her female-forward acting choices, growing through the tribulations of the imposter syndrome and the big little things that make her proud to be a woman
H&M GOES BRAT
Popstar Charli XCX's celebration of the fashion brand's Autumn/ Winter 2024 campaign offered a window to its refreshed trajectory, reports Haiqa Siddiqui