Jay McInerney Reflects on Sensitivity Readers and His Literary Legacy
American author Jay McInerney, famed for his 1980s novels depicting New York's excess and glamour, has opened up about navigating the modern landscape of political correctness and sensitivity readers. In an interview from his Malibu home, the 71-year-old writer shared insights into his latest work and the evolving challenges facing contemporary authors.
A New Chapter in the Calloway Saga
McInerney is set to publish his twelfth novel, See You on the Other Side, marking the fourth and final installment in the series following Russell and Corinne Calloway. First introduced in 1992's Brightness Falls, these New York socialites have evolved through decades, grappling with parenthood in The Good Life (2006) and midlife ennui in Bright, Precious Days (2016). Now in their sixties, they face the melancholic realities of ageing and the COVID-19 pandemic, with McInerney describing this as potentially his saddest book yet.
"I guess it is elegiac and autumnal," McInerney remarked, noting that writing about ageing often brings out bleak themes. He confirmed this would be the last book in the series, as following the characters into decrepitude was too depressing. The author also revealed that his own health struggles, including major brain and heart surgeries in 2024, influenced the novel's depiction of illness.
Confronting Modern Sensitivities
In writing See You on the Other Side, McInerney encountered new challenges related to political correctness. He explained that his protagonist, Russell, remains a man of his time, with views that clash with modern mores, but now must tread more carefully. "I am aware that reviewers are going to be reading this," McInerney said with a wary smile.
His agent suggested using a sensitivity reader for the first draft, a concept that horrified him. He recalled a warning from fellow author Bret Easton Ellis, who faced similar requests during the publication of The Shards, where a sensitivity reader asked to change Black servants to white—a change Ellis refused. Ultimately, McInerney's publisher relented, and he believes he anticipated enough in the text to avoid needing one.
Reflecting on his career, McInerney expressed gratitude for starting in the 1980s. "My writing was pretty unselfconscious compared to white male novelists of this era," he said, adding that novels seemed to matter more back then, with young writers crossing into popular consciousness in a way he doubts would happen today.
From Literary Fame to Personal Reflections
McInerney burst onto the scene in 1984 with Bright Lights, Big City, a debut novel that became a cultural phenomenon and was adapted into a film starring Michael J. Fox. Alongside peers like Bret Easton Ellis and Tama Janowitz, he became a staple of gossip columns, documenting the rarified world of Manhattan society.
Now in his eighth decade, McInerney looks back on a life filled with turmoil, fun, and excitement. He has been married four times, with three divorces, but holds no regrets, noting that each relationship contributed to his growth as a writer and human being. "I've always been interested in the idea of monogamy," he mused, a theme explored through his characters.
Despite his success, McInerney remains grounded, recalling days of destitution while writing his debut. When asked about his current car, he sheepishly admitted to owning a Ferrari, a stark contrast to his old Subaru. He also addressed Ellis's past comment about their friendship drifting due to wealth differences, dismissing it as provocation and affirming his long-standing friendships.
See You on the Other Side is published by Bloomsbury, offering a poignant conclusion to a series that has mirrored McInerney's own journey through life and literature.
