Gore Vidal once said to me during an interview. I think he's out of his mind. Why limit yourself any more than literature has limited you? In a world where people don't read, what are you going to make of a man who calls himself a gay novelist? What's that supposed to mean, that he's only going to write about cock?
In the book "Crashing Cathedrals: Edmund White by the Book" by Tom Cardamone, there’s a notable quote from Gore Vidal during an interview that critiques the limitations imposed by literary labels. Vidal questions the rationale behind identifying someone strictly as a "gay novelist," suggesting such labels confine a writer's potential and creativity. He challenges the notion that a novel can only explore certain themes, like sexuality, especially when the reading audience is diminishing.
This perspective highlights the broader issue of identity and expression in literature. Vidal implies that a writer's work should transcend simplistic categories, encouraging greater freedom in subject matter. By suggesting that limiting oneself to a niche reduces the richness of storytelling, the conversation reflects ongoing debates about how identity shapes literature and the importance of embracing a wide array of themes beyond sexual orientation.
