I’ve never read a book like this (unless it was a companion piece to another book, which i don’t think counts). It’s like reading a biography that slipped through from a parallel universe. Gradually unfolding a slightly different history of America post World War II, Biography of X is a biography of an artist named “X” written by her widow. This book is an immersive experience featuring fictional citations, interviews, and endnotes, yet also references real well known artists like David Bowie and Andy Warhol. While the experience of reading a fake biography is interesting enough on its own, Catherine Lacey (the real author) does an excellent job exploring the confusing feelings of a woman who has lost her wife, but maybe never really even knew her. The key of this book is all of the complex emotions and what we choose to believe in. The best fiction, in my opinion, is that which resembles real feelings. World building is obviously important, but if your characters aren’t relatable, flawed, and complex, than what’s the point. This book does an excellent job of this, while you become curious with the structures at play in this alternative America, the primary focus is the characters, their actions, and their varying thoughts and feelings. Maybe it seems simple to say I liked a book because of it’s characters, but I often feel that narrative ark can sometimes be prioritized over multi dimensional characters or that nothing happens to showcase creative inner monologues; this book has a good balance of it all. Enough intrigue to keep you invested, surprising twists of opinions, and character growth that loops rather than directly ascents.
This “biography” also asks questions of the reader in a rather subtle manner. What does it mean to be a good person? How much do I really know about my loved ones? What weight does the past hold on the present? As well as many others. I hope that doesn’t sound intimidating, as I think you could read the book without asking these questions of yourself, but if you are into that type of a read Biography of X can give you a nice push.
I really love this book and would highly recommend it if anything I’ve said has peaked your interest.