A review by bradiegray
I Love Dick by Chris Kraus

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Published in 1997, I Love Dick is presented as a series of unanswered love letters written by our protagonist, Chris, & addressed to Dick, a colleague of Chris’ husband. During a dinner & weather-induced overnight stay at Dick’s house, the couple develops a strange infatuation with him, incessantly using him as a prompt in all of their writings & ultimately sending him hundreds of letters with which he is noticeably uncomfortable. These letters consisted of everything from detailed descriptions of art exhibits to studies on schizophrenia. I Love Dick has been dubbed “confessional literature” because, get this, it actually happened. Chris Kraus really became obsessed with real-life cultural critic Dick Hebdige, sent him hundreds of letters, & wrote a book about it using his actual first name. He has openly expressed his disdain for this project, calling it an invasion of his privacy. I loathe the “everything is content” school of thought SO many writers subscribe to. Hurting people for “the sake of art” isn’t art. It’s just fucking annoying.