Week 7 Readings

It's amazing to think that Gay Talese wrote "Frank Sinatra Has a Cold" without a single conversation with the man himself. The piece is a series of descriptions and illuminations gleaned from hanging out with Sinatra's crew/employees and making observations of Sinatra in a number of different settings. Seriously, what an interesting way to go about profiling a person. I find myself wondering how much time it took Talese to write this piece. Likewise, I'm curious why Talese decided not to interview Sinatra directly; was it a decision, or was he not allowed to get close to Sinatra? Did Sinatra let him get close enough to view his lifestyle, but not close enough to record a conversation? In some instances, it almost seems like Sinatra didn't realize Talese was there. Crazy. I'd like to read a follow-up piece about Talese's method.

As a writer, i think I would be able to do this. It would require much more time and effort on my part, but I presume it's possible, even for an undergrad like myself. I would wonder about the truth of my statements and presumptions/examples, however. If I don't talk to the subject, how can I be sure my profile is an accurate representation of his/her person. I suppose in some ways, observing the person for such an extended period may prove more accurate in the long run. Subjects lie and change facts/mold histories when you speak to them directly; people are fallible. During an interview, subjects try to put the best version of themselves on display. hmmm...

I felt "The Road is very Unfair" was an interesting article. It was so long, however, that I felt, at times, the focus on AIDS was lost. I would become absorbed by the stories of individual characters, by the dangers they faced (in this instance, not sexually-transmitted dangers), by the history of the region, and the journey of the trucking convoy. I thought the article ended oddly; the focus on the previously unknown/not mentioned turnboy. I felt the ending was hurried, that Conover tried to summarize his focus too simply and sweetly.

Response to "Making a Success of Her Messiness on Two Coasts"

I kind of like this profile. I say 'kind of' because I'm surprised at myself. Here I am, usually drawn to longer pieces of 14 and 15 pages, and I can't help but enjoy this shorter piece by David Rooney. I feel that enough quotations were given to reveal a bit of Elizabeth's heart, her spirit in all of this "mess." At the same time, I'm not overwhelmed by her quotes - they're smooth transitions between Rooney's details and descriptions.

I also like how light it was - not a very heavy read. Although heavy reads are good - they're thought provoking and whatnot - I don't mind a short profile that's both entertaining and informative about a specific person or place. I think this piece accomplished that quite well. Well done, short profile. huzzah.

Response to "Population: The Last Taboo"

So... I kind of think Claire made the same mistake I did when I posted my first article third week: this article focuses more on a particular issue - population - than it does on a particular person or place. I suppose one could make the argument that it's centered around India, and that India, as an overcrowded nation, is the focus of this profile. It's my understanding, however, that the piece is more about population control than it is about place.

I, too, linked everyone to an article about a particular issue. I think mine was about journalists who gather to tell stories and share "artifacts" that they'd procured from their travels. I guess the issue there was authenticity and journalistic integrity - should journalists nab stuff from foreign countries and celebrity interviews...

Although the piece itself is incredibly engaging, I'm not sure it's a definitive profile. Then again, maybe I didn't get the memo... could be my mistake yet again.

Response to "The Rolling Stones Return to Exile"

Generally, I liked this article. I know very little about the Rolling Stones. In fact, I don't think I've ever owned a Rolling Stones Album besides "40 Licks" - their greatest hits CD. In my mind, a greatest hits album doesn't count as a legitimate album. Its all just a mish-mosh of songs from different points in the artist's lives - lyrically, musically, emotionally. Anyway, it was nice hearing the Stones talk about the re-release of their 1970's LP. As the band members recalled different issues and happenings from that point in their history, I felt as though I was getting to know them as a collective group - not individuals, but the band itself.

Sexton does a great job of revealing the artists to the reader, their inner thoughts and whatnot. I was however, a bit overwhelmed by the number of quotes in the article. After the first four or five paragraphs, it seemed like the entire article was just a long list of quotes from the band. In one sense, I'm not surprised - to hear the band's take on themselves and their album implies quotations from the band. duh. At the same time, however, I wish more of their story or the interview itself could be told from a "show, don't tell" perspective.

Response to Steven's Profile

In general, I like the pacing of this piece - it keeps the reader moving through the story - but there are several things I'm confused about/unaware of. Is the piece about Evelyn or the Posse organization. If it was about the organization, then I feel more details should be supplied about the posse's themselves. If it was about Evelyn and her experiences, then why come back to the concept of the posse in the final paragraph.

Perhaps a clearer focus would help me tune in to the heart of the story.

Response to Simona's Profile

I really enjoyed the flow of this piece. I like how it was told from the journalist's perspective - how Simona puts herself into the story a bit. During the first line of quotations, however, when Kelly is on the phone with ... someone, is that someone Darren? When he meets them on the veranda afterwards, I assume it was him, but I'm not entirely sure. Maybe that could be more fully expressed.

Also, I'm curious as to the focus of the profile. Is it about the Strutt itself as a venue and a coffeeshop/bar, or is it about the people that run it, Darren and Kelly. I like how it reads, I'm never bored or confused, so I would be okay with a piece that's half about the people and half about the place, but I'm just curious from a reader's standpoint, which is it?

Response to John's Profile

Just in the opening of the piece, I really liked John's details of the barbershop itself - the location, the jackets, and flag that gets caught in the shrub. I can really see it in my mind's eye. Great job. Even continuing through the profile, with the barbershop stations decorated by the barbers themselves - really great attention to detail that puts me inside the shop.

After reading the profile, however, I wondering whether there's an inherent conflict in the story. I like the attention to detail, and I feel like I really get a sense of the shop, but I"m wondering if there's anything else to Eddie or the business in general. Maybe talk about the feel of the barbershop when you walk in, some of the other barbers and their relationship to Eddie.