Bestselling writer Amy Sohn '95 is not shy about sex, which became apparent when she read her newest novel, "My Old Man," at the Brown Bookstore on Monday.
Sohn, a New York City resident, is a novelist and a New York Magazine columnist. She concentrated in public policy at Brown. "My Old Man," her second novel, is a sex-filled comedy about 26-year-old Rachel Block and her affair with a man in his forties, Hank Powell. Block is a rabbinical school dropout trying to discover a new future, and Powell is a filmmaker whom she idolizes.
"I wanted to show the joy of an affair," Sohn said. She said her characters are "intelligent as they're making bad choices."
The novel is about exploring new horizons, often involving plenty of sex. Sohn's women are sexually liberated but often not strong. They are capable but vulnerable. They experience the "loneliness that comes with independent living."
Sohn read three passages, depicting Block hearing about Powell's party, their subsequent dinner and the sexual encounter that follows. The passages are driven by dialogue - through conversation, the characters reveal their personalities.
"The characters definitely came first," Sohn said. "I can't write until at the very least I can hear the characters in my head."
The writer showed she has a deep intimacy with her characters and voiced them believably. She sometimes gives Block a stern, cynical and aloof persona stuck between the skepticism of adulthood and youthful sarcasm. Other times, Block is nervous, powerless or full of girlish enthusiasm.
For Powell, Sohn creates a dull, arrogant air, over-pronouncing his words of never-ending self-importance. Throughout dinner, Powell wants to show how sophisticated he is, and there are signs that he will be the worldly teacher who rescues Block from her naiveté. It is a cliché archetype, but Sohn has enough wit to keep her characters interesting.
Sohn's focus on dialogue is refreshing, as she does not rely on long descriptions. When not using dialogue, the novel consists of Block's inner thoughts. When Sohn uses neither, her descriptions are boring and her delivery has an unnatural tone, as though delivering a poorly rehearsed speech.
Sohn's writing is full of innuendo. Sex pervaded the first two passages she read, even before a graphic description of love-making occurs in the third.
Sohn said she believes that in a culture dominated by Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, there are "very few representations of women's sexuality that are honest." She attempts to write novels that are funny, dramatic, interesting and realistic. Her aim is not to establish political agendas, but she does want to provoke thought while she entertains, she said.
With respect to women's sexuality, Sohn is no stranger. Starting in 1996, she wrote a weekly column in New York Press about sex. For the past three years, her "Naked City" column has appeared weekly in New York Magazine. The column is about dating, sex and relationships in New York City. She has interviewed a wide variety of people, including comedian Margaret Cho.
Sohn says she is definitely a feminist and acknowledges the role of past feminist writers in her development. Recently married herself, she believes that society has evolved to be more accepting of single women and late marriage.
The "spinster stigma (is) beginning to disappear," she said.
She acknowledges the role of the media with shows such as "Sex in the City," on which she has written a guide. The show, she said, helped change the way society thinks about single women, allowing them to be applauded.
Sohn draws a clear distinction between her own beliefs and her writing goals, though. For her, fiction writers who are too political are boring. She said she is "not trying to prove anything."
Instead, her focus is on depicting honest reality. She is most effective in her third passage. In the midst of sex, which Sohn emulates creatively with a rhythmic, strong reading, Block pauses to request that Powell use a condom. The scene is sexual, but there is an underlying intelligence within a discussion about differing opinions generations have on safe sex.
Sohn is currently on tour with "My Old Man." She is also the author of "Run, Catch, Kiss."
