33 Comments
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Lisa Rogak's avatar

Yes, totally unnerving: “This thing you've carried in your head for years is suddenly on a shelf, where any stranger can go look at it, read it, have opinions. It takes some getting used to,” I say.

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Abra McAndrew's avatar

Team Comtesse

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Alexander Chee's avatar

She rules

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Brian Watson's avatar

This brought back memories of my month in Paris during 1986, studying at the Sorbonne to perfect my pronunciation skills, and then visiting every museum I could, desperate for art, desperate for life beyond the closet.

I can't wait for part 2.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thanks Brian!

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Victoria Olsen's avatar

I’m fascinated by the comtesse too. How much did she collaborate in the making of those photos? That’s always such an interesting question. In her case she must have— it’s a crucial step in her self- presentation. I can’t wait for part 2 too— 🙏

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Intensely so. She even painted on them —a primitive early photoshop—or had them painted on.

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Christine Hyung-Oak Lee 🐓💨's avatar

I remembered your social media posts about this show and all the dresses and I did wonder at the time their significance. And then I read QOTN and understood. And then I gained another craft level in research.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thank you friend

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Alexander Chee's avatar

😂💖

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Giovanna's avatar

This is incredible I need part 2 now ❤️

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Jeremy's avatar

Such a great book. I’m very much enjoying the behind-the-scenes glimpse.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thanks Jeremy, next week should be fun too.

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Leah Korican's avatar

I’m listening to Queen of the Night now. I love this peek behind the scenes.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Ah, the audiobook is wonderful I think. Thanks so much.

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Leah Korican's avatar

It really is. Her voice is lovely.

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Lida Lewis's avatar

“…accidentally accepted a ride from a drunk driver. Reading the news seemed to me like looking out the window to see if we would crash and not reading the news was lying on the floor of the car, waiting for it to crash. “ Hideously apropos

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yael villafranca's avatar

QOTN was recommended to me by a friend who adored it but stopped herself from telling me too much because she wanted me to experience reading it for myself. and she was totally right. thanks for sharing this peek behind the scenes, very much looking forward to part 2!

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Yael please thank you friend for me if you think of it, and thank you.

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Melinda Copp's avatar

Queen of the Night is one of my favorite books ever! So fascinating to read about researching it.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Thank you Melinda!

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Rosie Whinray's avatar

So good! So full of evocative detail! It's so interesting to read the forgotten observations of a former self, isn't it... I felt the same in London, not wanting to waste any time at all on the procrastinatory habits of home. Now that I'm back I've decided to stay lying on the floor waiting for the car to crash for a bit longer, because it was so restful not to know what was happening.

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Annelies Z's avatar

This book was my intro to your work. As a fan of opera and the high drama, incredible costumes and sets to tell the story, Queen of the Night sucked me in whole and spit me out after two very full days of reading. It was such an intriguing world to enter!

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Alexander Chee's avatar

2 days! You are a queen. Thank you.

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Annelies Z's avatar

Anytime you're in SF during opera season, let me know.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

Very kind!

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Обломов's avatar

‘Toinette always loved Vaux-le-vicomte

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Alexander Chee's avatar

She had taste!

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Michele Ferrari's avatar

"I must look like a man who needs a bit of restocking in advance." is such a great line. I want to steal it.

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Alexander Chee's avatar

lol thank you

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Roddy Bottum's avatar

Loving your journey

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