What I find fascinating about fandom are the personal stakes that come into play -- how for some of these fans, their own identity and self-regard is tied up in the perception of the book. The New Yorker piece on Burden I thought of as due diligence. Since when did we sign away our ability/right to really look closely and ask clarifying questions? Why can a reader not appreciate the emotional revelations of her story (Burden's in this case) and also question why she chose to cloud the reality of her financial situation to up the stakes? And this lineup doesn't even include The Tell!
Awesome article, Leigh. This has been a WILD year in books/publishing. I think one of the reasons women resonate so strongly with Belle's story (I loved the book as well) is that she's — at least in the story presented in the memoir — an uncomplicated character. I'm not saying she's actually uncomplicated as a person, but in the lens of this story and her portrayal as a wife and mother, she is uncomplicated. Dedicated. Loyal. Trusting. Self-sacrificing. Emotionally clean on her love for her husband (she presents no ambivalence, no confusion about her dedication to him or her feelings, at least leading up to the affair). No major vices; definitely no addiction issues. Etc. She does what's right by the kids. She works hard and, most of the time, pro bono. There's really very little to wrestle with when it comes to her, you know? She represents a very specific archetype of a woman done wrong by a man.
As an aside, on the James Frey note, the thing that's interesting and that almost no one knows or remembers (if they ever did know) was that his publisher did him dirty. They insisted on publishing AMLP as a memoir, even though he said he had embellished parts of it. Because it would sell better and be more compelling.
I also really don't like "you're just bashing women" as a response to any thoughtful critique of women's work. It's a thought-terminating cliche. When I was speaking out against Mel Robbins a lot, this was the most common criticism I received.
I'm writing a novel that takes place in 1996, and was researching the first internet cafes in Berkeley - thank you for sharing these other tidbits about early internet culture! The fandom waves of fanfic also remind me of how the film industry keeps remaking old classics (Possession and American Psycho are slated next..). Easier to get hype for a film that people are already connected to.
So fascinating! The line between fandom and literary that I think seemed to be there for so long has always been arbitrary, and I think it's millennial women especially who grew up with both the Wuthering Heights side AND Twilight side, and so that arbitrary distinction is now more blurry then ever. And I love that.
I really enjoyed Everything I Need, I Get from You. Fandom is a very powerful and not super-well understood force by those who don't participate in it.
Leigh, this is so incredibly interesting — thank you for doing both the reporting and the thinking. Had no idea we have Deadheads to thank for the internet, and hadn't thought to chart Dunham's press tour as a haters-into-fans arc.
Also it will never stop blowing my mind that I (and you! and so many of us!) just sent our personal addresses out over the internet (and received life-changing letters and zines and mixtapes back) — that could've gone soooo wrong for us. Idk if I'd do that as freely today. But big shout out to my British pen pal Lucy who I met writing harry potter fanfiction on Quizilla. x
my first fandom was a google plus bollywood community called SRK FANS FOREVER. then i went on to discover one direction tumblr and twitter. most of the skils i use daily in my marketing job and my writting side gigs developed from my fandoms days. i absolutely love Tiffany's book. for anyone who grew up on the internet, it is like a warm hug.
such a fascinating insight into the beginnings of internet culture! i started an online book club for women last year in melb, australia and have been so surprised by the response; the people long for community! and i've found the books are the perfect icebreaker for people to chat to strangers and genuinel become friends.
People “corrected” your opinions on literature. Drove me crazy. So glad the culture is much more accommodating. Disagreement isn’t put in much “kinder” terms.
Whoa! It’s startling to see you compare Belle Burden to James Frey. “She left out some financial context about what she stands to inherit once her stepmother dies” and “he made up major parts of his life story” are very different claims.
The commenter wasn’t asking whether male memoirists ever get investigated. Of course they do. The question was whether a male memoirist would be the subject of a major investigation over an inaccessible trust interest disclosed in court records 25 years ago.
I’ve never really been part of a fandom myself, and this explains a lot about a recent video I posted that was a bit critical of Clown Cult! The fans came for me!!!! I’ve been thinking they give cult but also, fandoms seem to function similarly. Ty for this thoughtful work!!
What I find fascinating about fandom are the personal stakes that come into play -- how for some of these fans, their own identity and self-regard is tied up in the perception of the book. The New Yorker piece on Burden I thought of as due diligence. Since when did we sign away our ability/right to really look closely and ask clarifying questions? Why can a reader not appreciate the emotional revelations of her story (Burden's in this case) and also question why she chose to cloud the reality of her financial situation to up the stakes? And this lineup doesn't even include The Tell!
Yes! Fandom is a form of identity.
Awesome article, Leigh. This has been a WILD year in books/publishing. I think one of the reasons women resonate so strongly with Belle's story (I loved the book as well) is that she's — at least in the story presented in the memoir — an uncomplicated character. I'm not saying she's actually uncomplicated as a person, but in the lens of this story and her portrayal as a wife and mother, she is uncomplicated. Dedicated. Loyal. Trusting. Self-sacrificing. Emotionally clean on her love for her husband (she presents no ambivalence, no confusion about her dedication to him or her feelings, at least leading up to the affair). No major vices; definitely no addiction issues. Etc. She does what's right by the kids. She works hard and, most of the time, pro bono. There's really very little to wrestle with when it comes to her, you know? She represents a very specific archetype of a woman done wrong by a man.
As an aside, on the James Frey note, the thing that's interesting and that almost no one knows or remembers (if they ever did know) was that his publisher did him dirty. They insisted on publishing AMLP as a memoir, even though he said he had embellished parts of it. Because it would sell better and be more compelling.
I also really don't like "you're just bashing women" as a response to any thoughtful critique of women's work. It's a thought-terminating cliche. When I was speaking out against Mel Robbins a lot, this was the most common criticism I received.
So much to talk about! You're awesome!
That’s a very astute read of the narrator’s persona in Strangers!
I'm writing a novel that takes place in 1996, and was researching the first internet cafes in Berkeley - thank you for sharing these other tidbits about early internet culture! The fandom waves of fanfic also remind me of how the film industry keeps remaking old classics (Possession and American Psycho are slated next..). Easier to get hype for a film that people are already connected to.
AOL was first internet community. Got a disc in the mail and loaded up. I found chat rooms and message boards so intimidating. O
So fascinating! The line between fandom and literary that I think seemed to be there for so long has always been arbitrary, and I think it's millennial women especially who grew up with both the Wuthering Heights side AND Twilight side, and so that arbitrary distinction is now more blurry then ever. And I love that.
I really enjoyed Everything I Need, I Get from You. Fandom is a very powerful and not super-well understood force by those who don't participate in it.
I also loved Tabitha Carvan’s “This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch”
Leigh, this is so incredibly interesting — thank you for doing both the reporting and the thinking. Had no idea we have Deadheads to thank for the internet, and hadn't thought to chart Dunham's press tour as a haters-into-fans arc.
Also it will never stop blowing my mind that I (and you! and so many of us!) just sent our personal addresses out over the internet (and received life-changing letters and zines and mixtapes back) — that could've gone soooo wrong for us. Idk if I'd do that as freely today. But big shout out to my British pen pal Lucy who I met writing harry potter fanfiction on Quizilla. x
Love this!! I had tons of snail mail pen pals too.
Yay for your book being available in the UK! 🇬🇧🤣🫶🏻🙏🏻🥳
Phew! Just ordered on Audible. 🤩🤩🤩
thank you! 🙏
You reminded me of my teenage self, hanging out with friends and learning every song on so many cast albums...
What were your favorite musicals?
Very 1970s: A Chorus Line, Godspell, Company, Cabaret, Rocky Horror, Jesus Christ Superstar, Chicago...plus the classics like Carousel and the rest.
my first fandom was a google plus bollywood community called SRK FANS FOREVER. then i went on to discover one direction tumblr and twitter. most of the skils i use daily in my marketing job and my writting side gigs developed from my fandoms days. i absolutely love Tiffany's book. for anyone who grew up on the internet, it is like a warm hug.
Amazing!!
such a fascinating insight into the beginnings of internet culture! i started an online book club for women last year in melb, australia and have been so surprised by the response; the people long for community! and i've found the books are the perfect icebreaker for people to chat to strangers and genuinel become friends.
Love that!
People “corrected” your opinions on literature. Drove me crazy. So glad the culture is much more accommodating. Disagreement isn’t put in much “kinder” terms.
Whoa! It’s startling to see you compare Belle Burden to James Frey. “She left out some financial context about what she stands to inherit once her stepmother dies” and “he made up major parts of his life story” are very different claims.
The commenter wasn’t asking whether male memoirists ever get investigated. Of course they do. The question was whether a male memoirist would be the subject of a major investigation over an inaccessible trust interest disclosed in court records 25 years ago.
let me know when you’ve read the whole article!
Agree with this theory--I probably fall into the Lena Dunham "hater-lite" category but Leigh's writing has shamed me into giving Lena a chance.
That said, i didnt want to shell out $30 to find out I was right, so I ordered Lena's recent
book from the library.
When I went online, I saw the Los Angeles library system had ordered 32 copies of Lena's book.
(I am #290 in line)
I just checked this morning and the library has increased their purchase of the book to 75 copies (!)
So---in an indirect way---I have helped Lena sell books
Susette 😂
👀 well this is relevant to my interests
I’ve never really been part of a fandom myself, and this explains a lot about a recent video I posted that was a bit critical of Clown Cult! The fans came for me!!!! I’ve been thinking they give cult but also, fandoms seem to function similarly. Ty for this thoughtful work!!