Wordstock 2009. Enter onto the Powell’s stage James Ellroy, the demon dog of American literature, the White Knight of the Far Right. After reading three excerpts from his new book Blood’s a Rover, he stops to take questions.
James Ellroy: So now I am ready to answer your most intimate questions into my person.
First Fan: So, um, Mr. Ellroy? I love your books, but I’ve felt kind of personally insulted since watching a documentary on you several years ago which talked about your right wing conservative views. I was wondering how you rectify having so many liberal readers when your views are so right-wing?
James Ellroy (pointing): You can take that question and shove it up your ass! That question is rude and insulting. I am not here to justify my political views to anybody! (shaking his fist).
For the record, I think this was a stupid question (yes, they exist). It is never the artist’s job to interpret his own work or explain why his audience responds to that work the way they do. That’s the audience’s job. But oh man. This was the best public reading I’ve ever been to — everyone in the audience on edge!
Wow. Just… wow.
Indeed… who needs to “rectify” being appreciated across usual dividing lines?
Poorly worded question. But on the other hand, inviting people to ask you “most intimate questions” and then going all Mt. St. Helens on someone asking a personal question is poor form.
From what I gather it is part of his public persona and he’s more of a teddy bear in private. I’m cool with that. You gotta have balls to ask a question in public. In my view, it had better also be a decent question.