Biography of X

More about the book

From one of our fiercest stylists comes a roaring epic chronicling the life, times, and secrets of a notorious artist. When X—an iconoclastic artist and polarizing figure—dies in her office, her widow, CM, consumed by grief and defying advice, embarks on writing a biography of the woman she idolized. Despite X's recognition as a vital creative force, she guarded her life story fiercely, leaving even CM unaware of her birthplace. In her search for answers, CM uncovers a Pandora's box of secrets, betrayals, and destruction, all while delving into the history of the Southern Territory, a fascist theocracy that split from the rest of the country post-World War II and is now facing an uneasy reunification. This masterfully constructed literary adventure features original images curated by CM. As she traces X’s journey from Europe to the ruins of America's divided territories and navigates her collaborations and conflicts with figures like Bowie, Waits, Sontag, and Acker, CM ultimately grasps the true nature of X’s artistic project. The revelations about her wife’s deceptions prove far more devastating than she anticipated. Blending nonfiction and fiction, this ambitious novel explores the depths of grief, art, and love, revealing the fallibility of the narratives we create for ourselves.