As to your last example: he's a mer-man. Hence man-boobies.

As to your last example: he's a mer-man. Hence man-boobies.

Yes, it's fair to say that empathy was not one of his writerly virtues.

Yes, it's fair to say that empathy was not one of his writerly virtues.

Don't you mean "Wild Things—from the director of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer!"? Because that's the way I like to think about sexy.

Don't you mean "Wild Things—from the director of Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer!"? Because that's the way I like to think about sexy.

"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise."

"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise."

Start at the essays, and don't look back. United States should do for a long while.

Start at the essays, and don't look back. United States should do for a long while.

Vidal > Mailer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Buckley

Vidal > Mailer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Buckley

Hitchens wrote a Vanity Fair article (here) that pointed out both the late crazy and the early genius. I've read some of his later essays—especially, yes, the McVeigh affair—but that still doesn't take away from the achievement of his early essays. United States: 1942-1992 is honestly one of the best books I've read.

Hitchens wrote a Vanity Fair article (here) that pointed out both the late crazy and the early genius. I've read some of his later essays—especially, yes, the McVeigh affair—but that still doesn't take away from the achievement of his early essays. United States: 1942-1992 is honestly one of the best books I've read.

I've tried a few of his fictions, and none of them have packed the punch of United States. If I were you, I'd go straight for the essays.

I've tried a few of his fictions, and none of them have packed the punch of United States. If I were you, I'd go straight for the essays.

They at least answered the "Why is Anne Perkins always hanging around the office?" question (besides, you know, friendship) by giving her a job there. It mostly made sense.

They at least answered the "Why is Anne Perkins always hanging around the office?" question (besides, you know, friendship) by giving her a job there. It mostly made sense.

That is really interesting. I couldn't tell much of a difference, either, so I like Lytle either Grandaddy'd or solo.

That is really interesting. I couldn't tell much of a difference, either, so I like Lytle either Grandaddy'd or solo.