"The Disappointment Artist" is a collection of essays by Jonathan Lethem that explores themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of artistic experience. Lethem reflects on his life, grappling with the notion of disappointment as it relates to both personal and cultural encounters. The essays delve into Lethem's formative years, his relationship with books, and how they shaped his literary aspirations while highlighting the sense of alienation that often accompanies deep engagement with art....