The Late Americans

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor (2023) I love books about college towns—even though I don’t relate that much to young students—contemporary or in the past—maybe because I missed the boat—and when I’ve lived in those places I’ve always been an outsider. I noticed that this one was set in Iowa City, a place I’ve lived, so I thought I’d give it a try. Immediately drawn in by the descriptions of the city, which I miss, I slowly got to know these characters—and there’s a lot of them—a loosely connected group of students—writers, mathematicians, dancers, musicians—as well as some “townies.” There are a lot of characters—it’s kind of hard to keep track of them—but I took that as a challenge and wrote down some notes. You might only get a brief clue as to their racial identity, focus of study, relationship to the others—so you have to pay attention. I read it thinking of it as if I was moving to a new place and meeting a lot of people in a short time—the way you would if you were starting school somewhere. In some ways, the book did remind me of my experience in Iowa City—I would have been a “townie”—since I wasn’t in school—but I hung out with various students—at times a bit intimidating. These are some intense and very bright young people—also, sensitive, easily angered—that all or nothing attitude of people in their twenties. Also, sexually active—well, particularly the gay men—and we get an intimate ringside seat with some of them. There’s also a lot of not much happening—very real life—but people struggling to make changes—abandoning relationships and friendships. And we also get a close look at a couple instances of sexual assault that are quite disturbing without being sensationalized. My favorite group was the poets, and there are some excellent dramatizations of the “Workshop”—the students discussing each other’s work. It read almost like horror to me, so harrowingly portrayed. On the other hand, kind of fun. I did feel a little envy there, and the aching of missed opportunity. There was one point in the book where I felt a particular wave of emotion—it’s when we return to the poets. We focus on one guy and his intense struggle to deal with the group and to write something he’s happy with. The students’ reactions to the work is surprising. I can’t put a finger on, exactly, what made this part so moving to me—I think it might have something to do with revealing something about myself that is not easy for me—briefly, my lack of courage, dedication, and possibly talent—a general lacking, and a missed life opportunity when it comes to roads not taken in my artistic life. I have to say—this part really affected me, kind of mortified me. But my sunny side hopes I can take something positive from it—after all, the experience I had reading this at least indicates that I’m alive.

10.26.23