Maggie Nelson, one of our most lauded writers and cultural critics, has been generating buzz with her recently published novel, The Slicks. In it, she deftly compares and contrasts global pop star Taylor Swift with influential literary figure Sylvia Plath. Nelson, an unapologetic fan of Swift, takes a deep dive into the complexities of ambition, fame, and identity that both women navigate in their respective spheres. The book, which is dedicated to Alba, the friend of her 13-year-old son, intertwines personal narrative with cultural critique, solidifying Nelson’s reputation for blending memoir, essay, and criticism.
In “The Slicks,” her piece about the brutal pressures women face in public life, Nelson dives deep. She writes that this world of ambition is particularly cruel to them. She contends that both Swift and Plath crafted their innermost wishes and insecurities through their craft. For their honesty, with uncensored and unflinching narratives, they were chastised and made to feel shame. Nelson explores such themes with refreshing clarity and thoughtfulness. She calls attention to the great challenges that women, especially those who courageously speak out on their desires and needs, face in return.
Nelson’s literary journey doesn’t stop at the publication of “The Slicks.” Her previous works, including “Pathemata: Or, the Story of My Mouth,” explore personal experiences of chronic pain and her interactions with the healthcare system. She has kept a pain diary for more than 10 years and reading this published diary makes us doubt her struggles and reflections. Her contemplative and introspective lens is evident in her prose which is sharp, concise and deeply layered.
“I began as a poet where you do long sessions of outpourings and then you literally carve … You’re hacking off to get it into a form, so I probably do something similar.” – Maggie Nelson
Besides “Pathemata,” Nelson is the author of “On Freedom,” an incisive unmaking of two undercurrents increasingly defining life in the United States. Her unique talent in exploring multi-faceted societal topicality through the format of personal narrative is a trademark of her work.
Nelson’s admiration for Swift extends beyond mere fandom. She perceives a connection between the singer’s public persona and Plath’s literary legacy. Both artists are forced to face the intersections of fame, sexuality, and gender, often with unyielding public gaze. For Nelson, this investigation serves as an artistic experiment. It mirrors her lived experience as a woman in a patriarchal society that routinely silences female voices.
“There’s something about wanting, and naming your want – which I think both Plath and Swift did – that is still generally a punishing sphere for a woman.” – Maggie Nelson
Living in California with her partner, artist Harry Dodge, who is known for his gender nonconforming work, Nelson balances her family life with her writing career. Exploring how her household dynamics create a new perspective on freedom and how we define ourselves. This relationship allows her to personally connect with the issues at hand in her writing.
Nelson’s observations on the healthcare system will hit home hard with anyone who lives day-to-day with chronic pain. She shares the emotional impact of having to navigate these hurdles, breaking down the stigma that comes with living with a chronic illness.
“For anybody in chronic pain there’s a kind of shame spiral where you want to be the patient who comes back in three weeks and says ‘I did all that and I feel so much better and you’re great’.” – Maggie Nelson
Her insights from these experiences give voice to an ugly truth about the intersection of physical pain and societal pressure. Nelson’s dedication to integrity in her writing leaves readers no choice but to stare down the uncomfortable realities of pain, ambition, and identity.
As she does throughout the work, Nelson defiantly crosses lines between genres, creating poetry that is as entertaining as it is enlightening. Her small books encourage readers to ponder big ideas in an easily digestible way. This stylistic choice mirrors her overall mission to make heavy themes approachable and digestible for readers.
“I was making this book [Pathemata] so small I kept telling myself ‘Don’t whittle it away to nothing.’” – Maggie Nelson
On her own path as a writer, Nelson remains inspired by visionaries like Nina Simone. In addition to breaking down Swift and Plath, she’s gone deep into the artistry of musicians like Prince and Björk. This artistic diversity underscores her talent for weaving together seemingly unrelated strands of cultural history into rich tapestries of meaning.