Letters to the Editor

What You Say

On Literature and Porn

Lose the [David Foster Wallace]-esque mannerisms in your writing [Cover Story, "Meet South Philly's Stoya," Matt Stroud, Nov. 13]. You're not the first person to nutball his aesthetic, and you won't be the last, but still, it's kind of irritating. Lately I've been reading a lot of sub-DFW writing and it's kind of creepy because none of you really sound like him. You're all missing something. Maybe it's the sense of propulsion, or the way he used to try and cancel himself out within the text. But have some respect for the dead. I'm sure you feel you are honoring him by aping him, but it just comes across as kind of way too easy. Let me give you a tip: John D'Agata, Halls of Fame. Read that book. His voice is just as indelible as DFW's. No one has ripped him off yet. 

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And by the way: Stoya is a very pretty girl and a so-so porn star. I don't want to watch lingerie models fuck, but that's just me, that's not what I like. I'd rather watch Faye Valentine or Lexi Belle or Sadie West. Maybe you could interview one of them. I'm sure they're not as educated or erudite as Stoya, but as far as having sex on camera goes, a girl like Lexi Belle is light years ahead of Stoya. A lot of girls are. But seriously, put down your copy of A Supposedly Fun Thing ... and pick up Halls of Fame. Or The White Album. Not enough people use Didion as a template for their writing, especially men.

Jon Hurst
Via citypaper.net

Stoya was the best intern ever. So smart and sweet and on point. I remember fondly the day I named her an "android from the future." Physically stunning and extremely intelligent. Perfectly sweet and a winning sense of humour. She made everyone at PaperStreet's girlfriends jealous, but such is the burden of this future android. A wonderful girl.

Tommy Up

PaperStreet
Via citypaper.net

I'm sincerely surprised about the bitterness [in response to] this article. Philly people really are assholes. In any case, good article, better than what would appear in any of the dailies and interesting. As someone who has interviewed some of the same people, [I think Stroud] put a lot of what was in my head on paper.

ABP
Via citypaper.net

Keith Richards was once asked what he thought of the Stones being called the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world. He replied, "Every night, some band in some bar is the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world" [Music, "Simmer Down," A.D. Amorosi, Nov. 13, 2008]. One of my favorite Philly rock memories one particular Sunday night at Dobbs, long ago, when [Kenn] Kweder (along with George Manney, Wally Smith, Alan James and Mike Radcliffe) were the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world. It was a big-balls, sweaty, euphoric, nastily holy rock 'n' roll church that night, and Kenn ... thanks. See you at Smokey Joe's.

Mike Villers
Via citypaper.net

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Your article was great [News, "A Library Legend," Isaiah Thompson, Nov. 13, 2008] but there is one misunderstanding I'd like to correct.

My mother did not seek office or draw attention to herself. When she saw a job that needed doing she stepped up. When she accepted the presidency of our first Friends group it was her first and only "official" title. Frankly, her family and friends were astonished. She stepped aside as soon as she had accomplished this goal and there were willing successors. It is members of the Friends and grateful users of the library who so often invoke her memory.

It looks like Fishtown is your beat — you'll be busy — the natives have been riled!

Fran Stepnowski
Fishtown

Corrections: In last week's cover story, Stoya's age was incorrect. She is 22. Also, the assertion that an 18-year-old is not allowed in a bar is incorrect. City Paper regrets the error.