American Voyeur: Dispatches From the Far Reaches of Modern Life
Denizet-Lewis deftly combines journalism and sociology in these 16 articles originally published in such sources as New York Times Magazine, Spin, and Slate. Focusing on youth culture, sex, and sexual identity (often gay and lesbian), the thirtysomething reporter demonstrates a flair for what he calls “immersion journalism” or “wait(ing) around for people to be themselves.” In practice, this means patiently establishing an emotional rapport with people as disparate as homeless gay teens in San Francisco’s Castro District and prepubescent extreme-sport athletes who are fielding more commercial endorsements than they can count. The resulting reports are insightful, entertaining, and often thought provoking, especially those that most nearly approach sociology, e.g., the author’s investigation of the “Down Low” subculture (African American men living as heterosexuals while secretly having sex with other men), the lives of young gay married couples in Massachusetts, and contemporary teen dating habits and sexual practices. Whether his subjects are occasionally superficial or (more often) substantive, Denizet-Lewis himself is always an engaging and well-informed guide to some of the farther reaches of contemporary American culture. --Michael Cart