Only by Bombing the Village May We Save It
Indentity is not for faint of heart. Since we all have one, we are stunned when those among us emerge with more than one. So it was on a blustery Monday in book land that we learn that JT Leroy is not a man, but an apparent amalgam of people, one to appear in public, one to write novels, yet more assigned to the collection of royalties, so many that these various component parts formed a corporation.
Buried in an early draft of his Advice to Writers, the Earl wrote: “All writers should form a Nevada corporation before putting pen to paper. Remember to buy your sister in law a pair of designer sunglasses. Nevada corporation. Sister in law. Sunglasses. Go get em tiger.”
Pundits have suggested that the Earl is not a real person but an imaginary one created by blogger Wilfredo Tagesblatt. “The Earl is sometimes pictured in public hugging Ian Rankin, yet Mr. Rankin cannot recall the incident.” On the other hand why would he? retorts Lars Kierkegaard publicist and Volvo mechanic. “Ian Rankin is a busy man.”
Mr. Tagesblatt is vacationing in rural Bohemia and could not be reached for comment.