Initials preserve anonymity. As I read I asked myself - Is S.A. a man or a woman? Is S.A. white or Black? Is S.A. LGBTQ?
Through the book I debated these questions in my head but resolutely would not find out the answers until done.
Is S.A. a man or a woman?
Until recently I would have assumed a woman by the use of initials for I had read numerous women writers who concealed their gender on covers by initials. It is no longer, if it ever was, a valid assumption. A very recent example of a male author using initials is Canadian author, J.T. Simens, who is Jeremy Siemens.
Another assumption leading me to think Cosby was a man is the level of violence. I have found few women have a high body count in their crime fiction. In a quick run through of the 1,125 books I have read over the past 22 years I found only 3 women authors with books have a high violence quotient - Cara Black, Janet Evanovich writing with Steve Hamilton (The Bounty) and Mo Hayder.
With the leading characters being men my first thought is that the author is male. It is not strong reasoning but I think of authors usually featuring their own gender.
In reading I felt S.A. was a man. Cosby created vivid characters in Ike and Buddy Lee. They were very convincing men. I could not provide good reasons but I thought Cosby was male.
Is S.A. white or Black?
S.A. knows the languages of white and Black Americans.
Whether it was Ike or Buddy Lee their voices felt authentic to me.
As I was reading I realized I thought Cosby was white. Once more it was feeling rather than specifics.
Is S.A. LGBTQ?
On orientation I initially thought LGBTQ as S.A. so vividly describes the turmoil of gay men with fathers who resent they are gay. On further reflection I thought straight as S.A. understands Ike and Buddy Lee’s homophobia. Yet additional reflection left me more uncertain.
I have terrible gaydar.. I am continually surprised by who is straight and who is LGBTQ.
I never developed a conclusion on orientation for Cosby.
After completing the book I looked to the author photo and the short bio on the cover and a New York Times article on Cosby.
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Cosby, S.A. - (2022) - Razorblade Tears
It's so interesting, isn't it, Bill, how we get mental pictures of what authors are like from their writing. I've done the same thing, and it's always a real surprise when they turn out to be nothing like what we think they'll be like. You make some interesting points about the stories that we're used to from different sorts of people. Thanks for sharing what you learned about Crosby.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. As a reading sleuth I think I better continue with my day job. I was reminded how we expect becomes what we think is the truth.
DeleteThat’s very insightful. I’ll keep it in mind since I tend to do the same thing.
DeleteVery interesting experiment. Definitely one I should attempt at some point.
ReplyDeleteMarina Sofa: Thanks for the comment. It was interesting. I think I may try it about once a year.
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