Erasure
by Percival L. Everett · first published 2001
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2020–2026first – last mentioned
67% recommend33% neutral
Thelonius "Monk" Ellison is an erudite, accomplished but seldom-read author who insists on writing obscure literary papers rather than the so-called "ghetto prose" that would make him a commercial success. He finally succumbs to temptation after seeing the Oberlin-educated author of We's Lives in da Ghetto during her appearance on a talk show, firing back with a parody called My Pafology, which he submits to his startled agent under the gangsta pseudonym of Stagg R. Leigh. Ellison quickly finds himself with a six-figure advance from a major house, a multimillion-dollar offer for the movie righ
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…Percival Everett's character and way of working. He is one of my favorite authors. Sadly not nearly as well known as he deserves. Long ago, I read God's Country (2003), which was strange and captivating. Erasure (2011) was flat out very funny [1]. His latest book, Telephone[2], which came out four months ago, is top of my "buy next" list (actually, I just ordered it...). Most people don't know it is printed…
on “Percival Everett, the Art of Fiction No. 235 (2017)” ↗…skewering of politics and government. There's a lot of interplay between politicians and civil servants that mirrors some play between politicians and people, especially in the case of "systemic lag". Erasure by Percival Everett. A book on racial conformity and expectations. A weird case where the movie (American Fiction) might be better than the book. Pretty easy and quick read however. I don't know what…
on “Ask HN: What books have been worth your time?” ↗This matches what was lampooned in Erasure(2001) by Percival Everett and adapted into the movie American Fiction.
on “Book Prizes Don't Work How You Think” ↗