Books “I hate people.”
posted by September 10 at 13:00 PM
onMichael from Bailey/Coy books just called to ask if I’d read this recounting of an interview with Maurice Sendak. It’s funny and sad and sweet and bitter, just like…well, just like Maurice Sendak.
He talks about all his many hates (including Salman Rushdie, an uncle of his, and, apparently, himself) and his sexuality.
Was there anything he had never been asked? He paused for a few moments and answered, “Well, that I’m gay.”“I just didn’t think it was anybody’s business,” Mr. Sendak added. He lived with Eugene Glynn, a psychoanalyst, for 50 years before Dr. Glynn’s death in May 2007. He never told his parents: “All I wanted was to be straight so my parents could be happy. They never, never, never knew.”
It’s a wonderful interview, and you should read it. Many thanks to Michael for letting me know about it.
Comments
But does he hate pit bulls?
To never tell your parents (and never know for sure what their reaction will be) is one of the saddest things you can do to yourself... sure you might avoid heartache, but you'll never know if you could have had true parental acceptance either.
Huh, I didn't know it was a secret.
Twenty years ago I read a coffee-table book that covered his work to date, and it seemed obvious that he was gay gay gay. On the other hand, good thing it didn't get out before that "Night Kitchen" naked little boy controversy.
Is this really his first public disclosure, at age 80? That's quite a remarkable comming-out story.
Nobody can love you if you don't love yourself.
Saw him speak in person @ Brown University in 1990 or so. What a great man.
Cowardice is such a tragic state of mind.
Where the Wild Things Are is all about circuit parties.
Fantastic. Made me cry, thanks for posting it.
I want to go to New York and give him a hug. I grew up reading Where the Wild Things Are at least once a week until, like, last week.
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