Nov 2, 2023·edited Nov 2, 2023Liked by Tracy Clark-Flory
Quick comment: I love the inherent contradictions of your story. The book was made all the more touching because of the very real and human way that the story bent. We are our contradictions (partly truth and partly fiction)--we contain multitudes. Happy "anniversary".
I went to Duke and was in a writing seminar with one of the young women who was profiled in Unhooked. Certainly there was a lot of hooking up and not a lot of relationships when we were in college, and I hooked up a good bit through my early 20s in law school but my story also ends in marriage- we celebrated 9 years a few weeks ago. The safe haven and trap of marriage quote resonates strongly with me.
I want to read your book! I enjoyed your column on Salon for years. Tracy, what are your thoughts on non-monogamy and open marriages? I’m not presenting it as a solution per se to the contradiction you pose here, but I’m curious what your analysis of this institution would be if the institution itself granted flexibility that allowed for more freedom. Or to put it another way, to be a ho *and* a housewife.
A very interesting question—and worth a lot more than a quick comment here! I do think that the contradictions and tensions persist no matter what—especially as society orients itself around the married nuclear family model—but I generally love any attempt at fucking with the institution from within and testing the possibilities of remaking/reimagining one’s participation in it.
I love the way you express the contradictions of feelings. I still have those moments after 45 years of marriage. Sometimes I am startled when Tom says ‘my wife’ or I hear myself say ‘my husband’. Who is that?
Well, isn’t that what life is all about 🤣. We run through our early 20s to meet and greet the world to end with the one situation that calms it all(sort of).
The journey through contradiction, misdirection and impossibility is what makes the world truly “fun”.
Quick comment: I love the inherent contradictions of your story. The book was made all the more touching because of the very real and human way that the story bent. We are our contradictions (partly truth and partly fiction)--we contain multitudes. Happy "anniversary".
That's beautifully put. And thank you—for the anniversary wishes and for reading the book!
I went to Duke and was in a writing seminar with one of the young women who was profiled in Unhooked. Certainly there was a lot of hooking up and not a lot of relationships when we were in college, and I hooked up a good bit through my early 20s in law school but my story also ends in marriage- we celebrated 9 years a few weeks ago. The safe haven and trap of marriage quote resonates strongly with me.
Happy anniversary! Also, wow, you're making me want a "where are they now" piece on all the subjects of these types of books from that era.
I want to read your book! I enjoyed your column on Salon for years. Tracy, what are your thoughts on non-monogamy and open marriages? I’m not presenting it as a solution per se to the contradiction you pose here, but I’m curious what your analysis of this institution would be if the institution itself granted flexibility that allowed for more freedom. Or to put it another way, to be a ho *and* a housewife.
A very interesting question—and worth a lot more than a quick comment here! I do think that the contradictions and tensions persist no matter what—especially as society orients itself around the married nuclear family model—but I generally love any attempt at fucking with the institution from within and testing the possibilities of remaking/reimagining one’s participation in it.
I love the way you express the contradictions of feelings. I still have those moments after 45 years of marriage. Sometimes I am startled when Tom says ‘my wife’ or I hear myself say ‘my husband’. Who is that?
wow, that was a fascinating and funny read (at sections possibly not meant to be funny but sad, all the same managed both)
Well, isn’t that what life is all about 🤣. We run through our early 20s to meet and greet the world to end with the one situation that calms it all(sort of).
The journey through contradiction, misdirection and impossibility is what makes the world truly “fun”.
Fascinating read and insight. #restack
I love the way you've put that!
TEN YEARS!!!! Wow.