Hilton Als

This is such an incredibly curious two-part essay on, yes, Als on Prince—but also the so-much-more behind and beyond that fascination. Maybe I'd just describe it as strange and wonderful in the way that love, or at least infatuation and wanting to be loved or even to be absorbed by someone, and if you're lucky, being self-reflective about it, often is.

Star-rating does not apply to this work. The best of it is flat-out stunning - funny and brilliant and thrilling as a new truth, like a joke that cuts so surprisingly deeply laughing is not enough. It is, however, a bit uneven, occasionally cruel, and sometimes over-reaching in either technique or conclusion. Still, a colossal achievement and absolutely worth reading.

This is THE best book of essays (a mashup of fiction, non-fiction, critique) by a fearless writer who can put words together that leave your jaw dropped. On top of that, Als is the queen of brilliant first sentences.

I loved this! This is a book about everything. It's "creative nonfiction" that moves from memoir to journalism and is informed by women, theory, movies, everything. It's all the big brains of "litratshure" and none of the b.s. It's subjective and personal and all the more trustworthy for being honest. Good, great, fantastic. Such a welcome relief from grad school.