“The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth.” ~ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
The second part of this quote is more apt to describe John D’Agata’s approach to the CNF (creative non-fiction) essay. Actually, the quote is taken from D’Agata’s book, The Lifespan of Fact, with Jim Fingal.
Premise: John D’Agata wrote an essay (a rather ‘day in the life of an event’) of the tragic suicide jump of Levi Presley in Las Vegas. The essay was to be Harper’s, however, they rejected it once the factual nature of the content came into question. The Believer picked up the essay with the caveat that it would be fact-checked before publication. The fact-checker was The Believer intern, Jim Fingal. What ensued was six months of dialogue regarding content, interpretation, and POV of the facts. This correspondence* was compiled and printed in a most artful, avant way; the essay smack in the midst of a black and red dialogue, containing the quotes of text and the preceding fact-checked information.
I knew nothing of D’Agata, or his controversial essay, until I read this** on Dinty Moore’s Brevity blog. I dare say, the comment field filled with unabashed, literary brilliance regarding truth, content, and the art of CNF. I became moth to flame, wings singed and caught in melting wax; I became stuck under the weight of the literati’s cerebral commentary.
Despite being over my head, the lively debate continued into the following week. Writers from across the country gathered in Chicago,*** where a panel (or more, was not there) discussed D’Agata’s truths, or lack there of, again. Truth in non-fiction writing is a fire burner; very black and white. Bottom line… it’s like the government, you’ve got both sides of the aisle agreeing that they cannot agree a full one hundred percent.
My take away: D’Agata desires to forge his own path. He sounds a bit cocky in his artistry. Warranted? I’d say ‘yes’, only because he is young; he has plum credentials; and he is a crafter of words. Will his talents mark his name in history? TBC.
Truth: The Lifespan of Fact was not going to get my time. I wrote it off a week ago. Life is funny, though; and today I found myself at the bookstore wandering around in essays for a Geoff Dyer book. I look sideways, Lifespan was in my peripheral vision.
Ten minutes later, people around me must have thought I’d already tipped the glass, for I was laughing out-loud; D’Agata’s deadpan to Fingal’s niceties (complete with =)) good stuff, indeed. Thumbing to the end, I read that all proceeds go to a scholarship fund in Levi’s name. Sold. (Not quite; I refuse to give B&N full price. I am a library worker after all).
D’Agata may not draw me to see his way, but I shall at least formulate an opinion regarding his ability to be a style definer. Is he cutting edge enough to warrant a new genre. After all, did David Foster Wallace demand such understanding of his brilliance?
It’s interesting to consider why we write the truth; and why we be compelled to lie. Lao Tzu is correct, the truth is not always beautiful. D’Agata sidesteps this by choosing beauty over truth. Is it right…to lie, in the name of art?
“Truth may not always be beautiful, but there is comfort in knowing where one stands.” ~
* Harper’s never published the article, but did publish an excerpt from the essay’s book.
** Upon visiting Brevity WP, comments are now up to 155. When I read it weeks ago, it was well under 100.
*** AWP 2012
[sidebar: Iowa is a small state, no denying; hell, we host a rather famous bike ride, river to river (border to border) that is completed in one week. It isn't my state of choice, but I'm here until fate turns her wheel. Iowa, as in the University, is home to the best writers program in the country (this isn't said with pride, folks, just a known fact). D'Agata teaches creative writing at the University.]
kateshrewsday
/ 2012/03/11This is very interesting, Angela: great writing is great writing, period. But if it’s not truth, is it not by definition fiction?
a. m. f.
/ 2012/03/11Yes, must say that I’m very much of that school, too, Kate. You are a grand example of fine CNF writing where you’ve woven facts into everyday life in order to parlay a certain story. The sticky wicket seems to reside in the whole genre of essay. Humorist write essay, yet, we expect it not to be all true (think David Sedaris). McPhee was also given as an example. I’m currently reading “Silk Parachutes” and can only surmise that his error would be in the recall, not a creative changing of the facts to make the write more entertaining. I most interesting dialogue in the writing world. ~
Tom (Aquatom1968)
/ 2012/03/11I agree with Kate, Angela… this is interesting! I’m reading a lot about interpretation at the moment (completely by chance, I must add!), and one person may view an event in a totally different way to another. If they were to describe the event, it could seem that two different events were witnessed. Both being described truthfully… so in that regard, at times, can the ‘truth’ actually be the truth? I love a thought-provoking start to the day – thanks, Angela!
a. m. f.
/ 2012/03/11So glad that you are ready and willing to think after we’ve just lost an hour in time, Tom. If you’d really like to experience overload, Google John D’Agata. Sadly, I did this while writing the piece for links (at 1AM) and there is so much more stuff out there regarding this whole thing…NPR, Harper’s, etc. Enjoy, and thank you ~
Elisabeth
/ 2012/03/11This one has me struggling, all the different voices, and yet it is a real issue, where does the truth begin and end and how can we be so wedded to facts such that we lose sight of beauty. It’s a tough one.
a. m. f.
/ 2012/03/11Much agreed, Elisabeth. I must say though, as a reader, I wish to know if what I read is fact, or a version of the facts. What isn’t as clear with much of D’Agata’s writing is whether there is disclosure at all times. I’ve not taken any formal writing courses but one (online); ironically, it was on CNF. We were taught that there is no room for falsehoods within CNF. I must say that sometimes when writing CNF, I wish to embellish to make it read better, but then who is that servicing, really, me or the reader? Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. ~
Andra Watkins
/ 2012/03/11Angela, for some reason, I have been missing your blog in my feed. I don’t know whether it is the changing of your avatar or what, but I am ashamed to have missed so many posts in a row. Please forgive me.
The evolution of the genre of memoir is captivating to me. For how long now, we have been treated to factual encounters, embellished with how much fiction? Why do writers shy away from just weaving a story from the reality of life? I love the liberty fiction gives me to tell a compelling story, one that wouldn’t be interesting if imprisoned by the facts of life.
G-Man
/ 2012/03/12Just checking on you….:-)
Brett Myers
/ 2012/03/14NPR did a story about this on Morning Edition the other day. Interviewing both D’Agata and Fingal. The bravado of D’Agata that you speak of was apparent, but I give him some room to explore on this so long as he is forthright about it. Pleasure to be lead to your blog, Angela…
a. m. f.
/ 2012/03/17Not sure if you’ll see this Brett, but this whole subject has just gone broader with a different format. This American Life has been all over the news about not sticking to the facts…I hope to blog about it very soon. ~