I have vivid memories of "Vallley Girl" and Frank Zappa testifying in Congress.
While listening. I kept thinking about the esaay by Alice Munro's daughter and Jeannette McCurdy's book. Moon Unit becomes at least the third person in a short time period to write about their (toxic?) mother post-mortem.
Im a libertarian so i generally believe people can write what they want whenever they want. But something about waiting post-mortem gnaws at my conscience. I suppose the objection is that the subject doesnt have the opportunity to clarify the assertions or defend themselves. (This objection dates all the way back to Mommie Dearest).
This episode then prompted me back to your Art Monster essays. I didnt see any specific mention of the ethics of waiting post-mortem to write about events that occurred years or decades earlier. (Which I distinguish from writing about a person's last days just prior to death). I would love to hear your thoughts on this aspect of the personal essay/memoir.
Theres' no right or wrong approach. But I do give Soon-Yi Allen credit for airing her feelings about Mia Farrow while Mia is still alive. There's also an excellent episode of The Glenn Show in which Loury allows his son to interrogate him about his memoirs. (Though both had been hurt, father and son are very respectful to each other.)
Interesting point. FWIW - Author Jimmy McDonough has said (I forget exactly how he said it) that writing post-mortem provides the ability to tell a less biased or influenced story. If the subject is still living, you have certain limitation on telling the story. He was comparing writing a biography for a living musician (Neil Young) with writing a biography of Tammy Wynette after she had passed. What I understood him to say is that the story could be more honest. I don't doubt it!
As for ethics, I imagine it's different writing about celebrities vs. family members. When they're both, I'm sure lines get blurred.
Like you, I believe that as long as the writer is sharing their honest truth, it's ethical. Altho, the example Meghan gives about Sarah H's defense of the child written about in the NY article is something to consider. An adult is fully formed (in theory) and a child still mentally developing should maybe be given privacy/anonymity until they are a mature adult.
I think the distinction between writing about an unrelated celebrity/public figure vs. a family member is an important one. The professional author writing a biography of Neil Young is presumably not using the book as a platform for grinding personal axes. (Unless the author happens to hate "Cinnamon Girl". My personal favorite is "Old Man" followed closely by "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".)
By contrast, the author who has their parent as subject is inextricably intertwined with the narrative. In that context, explosive post-mortem allegations of long-ago misdeeds can create the objection of speaking ill of people who cannot defend themselves.
Ahh, so excited for this one! My best friend is a huge Frank Zappa fan and got me to read Moon’s book “America, the Beautiful” back when I was in high school, so seeing this my feed brought back fond memories.
Christ on a bike, I wasn't prepared for the sadness this evoked. I keep landing on an image of a little Moon hustling for attention and care. Heartbreaking.
Loved this interview (and this morning woke up while dreaming that I was in a house with Moon and Dweezil Z. and a lot of other people, making toast, and one of the windows, made of Plexiglas, was broken.)
Great conversation! Back in the 70s I spent a few hours with Frank in the basement, doing an interview, and he wanted to watch claymation. Which we did. If you listen to the very first mothers of invention album (freak out!) you’ll see that it’s full of social commentary. One stand out is “trouble coming every day.“ Your conversation with Moon is also stand out.
Dearest Meghan,
I have vivid memories of "Vallley Girl" and Frank Zappa testifying in Congress.
While listening. I kept thinking about the esaay by Alice Munro's daughter and Jeannette McCurdy's book. Moon Unit becomes at least the third person in a short time period to write about their (toxic?) mother post-mortem.
Im a libertarian so i generally believe people can write what they want whenever they want. But something about waiting post-mortem gnaws at my conscience. I suppose the objection is that the subject doesnt have the opportunity to clarify the assertions or defend themselves. (This objection dates all the way back to Mommie Dearest).
This episode then prompted me back to your Art Monster essays. I didnt see any specific mention of the ethics of waiting post-mortem to write about events that occurred years or decades earlier. (Which I distinguish from writing about a person's last days just prior to death). I would love to hear your thoughts on this aspect of the personal essay/memoir.
Theres' no right or wrong approach. But I do give Soon-Yi Allen credit for airing her feelings about Mia Farrow while Mia is still alive. There's also an excellent episode of The Glenn Show in which Loury allows his son to interrogate him about his memoirs. (Though both had been hurt, father and son are very respectful to each other.)
Interesting point. FWIW - Author Jimmy McDonough has said (I forget exactly how he said it) that writing post-mortem provides the ability to tell a less biased or influenced story. If the subject is still living, you have certain limitation on telling the story. He was comparing writing a biography for a living musician (Neil Young) with writing a biography of Tammy Wynette after she had passed. What I understood him to say is that the story could be more honest. I don't doubt it!
As for ethics, I imagine it's different writing about celebrities vs. family members. When they're both, I'm sure lines get blurred.
Like you, I believe that as long as the writer is sharing their honest truth, it's ethical. Altho, the example Meghan gives about Sarah H's defense of the child written about in the NY article is something to consider. An adult is fully formed (in theory) and a child still mentally developing should maybe be given privacy/anonymity until they are a mature adult.
I think the distinction between writing about an unrelated celebrity/public figure vs. a family member is an important one. The professional author writing a biography of Neil Young is presumably not using the book as a platform for grinding personal axes. (Unless the author happens to hate "Cinnamon Girl". My personal favorite is "Old Man" followed closely by "Only Love Can Break Your Heart".)
By contrast, the author who has their parent as subject is inextricably intertwined with the narrative. In that context, explosive post-mortem allegations of long-ago misdeeds can create the objection of speaking ill of people who cannot defend themselves.
We'll see what Jimmy writes when Neil kicks it... if you know anything about the process of writing that book, the sequel will be scathing! lol
Good point, tho!
Ahh, so excited for this one! My best friend is a huge Frank Zappa fan and got me to read Moon’s book “America, the Beautiful” back when I was in high school, so seeing this my feed brought back fond memories.
Christ on a bike, I wasn't prepared for the sadness this evoked. I keep landing on an image of a little Moon hustling for attention and care. Heartbreaking.
Loved this interview (and this morning woke up while dreaming that I was in a house with Moon and Dweezil Z. and a lot of other people, making toast, and one of the windows, made of Plexiglas, was broken.)
This was a great discourse - good chemistry and convo!
Frank, my cat (named after Sinatra - a different misogynist with that name lol) really enjoyed hearing her name throughout this episode.
Amazing!
Great conversation! Back in the 70s I spent a few hours with Frank in the basement, doing an interview, and he wanted to watch claymation. Which we did. If you listen to the very first mothers of invention album (freak out!) you’ll see that it’s full of social commentary. One stand out is “trouble coming every day.“ Your conversation with Moon is also stand out.
A fascinating conversation, and I can’t wait to read this book. Thank you!