Cat Person by Kristen Roupenian (and what it says about relationships)

I don't believe any of it.

But again, this was coming off something Nell Stevens wrote in the NYT, boy-girl relationship'y stuff, that doesn't appear to be true.

 

I think she pretty clearly "lifted" some aspects from this woman's life - mainly, the age disparity and how they first met - and combined it with some bad dates she had been on. I don't know - I thought the piece was good when I first read it, because it kind of captured how weird dating was now, and how it was assisted and harmed by technology. The fact that it's based partially on real people who *aren't* her is kind of sleazy to me; the author of the new piece about it on Slate is more forgiving than I would have been.

 

I'll read this piece again later on my laptop when I can soak it in more. Maybe I'll be forgiving of it ...

 

I read it thru again and backtrack on the notion it might have been Roupenian in literary drag. The writer of this piece, Alexis Nowicki, showed grace, poise, and empathy in rehabilitating the image of Robert/Charles while setting the record straight on their relationship. Charles was on anti-depressants and died suddenly in November which adds a strange little twist to this perverse story. Nowicki is a natural writer. Wouldn't be surprised if she gets offered a writing gig somewhere.