In Memoriam: Gary Indiana
Gary Indiana, the diminutive yet formidable novelist, cultural critic, playwright, and artist, whose sharp prose and incisive wit illuminated the devastation wrought by the AIDS crisis, the vibrant yet turbulent downtown art scene of Manhattan, and the sordid tales of true crime, has passed away at the age of 74. He died on Wednesday at his residence in Manhattan, with lung cancer cited as the cause by his friend Jerry Gorovoy.
A prolific and multifaceted talent, Mr. Indiana authored over ten books encompassing fiction, memoir, and critical essays. Each of his works, in its unique way, scrutinized a culture spiraling toward chaos and despair. For instance, in “Horse Crazy” (1989), he crafted a roman à clef that follows a thirty-something writer fixated on a stunning, young photographer whose life is marred by heroin addiction. This narrative serves as a modern-day Death in Venice, set against the backdrop of the East Village amidst the encroaching darkness of the AIDS epidemic.
His 1997 work, “Resentment: A Comedy,” marked the commencement of a loosely fictionalized crime trilogy. This novel is set against the infamous Los Angeles trial of the Menendez brothers, who were charged with the murder of their parents. Mr. Indiana seized this sensational backdrop to deliver a scathing critique of celebrity culture, filled with acerbic and hilarious character sketches. Richard Bernstein, in his review for The New York Times, lauded Mr. Indiana’s “dazzlingly good writing,” remarking, “One reads Mr. Indiana’s new work with astonishment at his talent, and astonishment at the absurdist bleakness, the alienating nihilism, of his vision.”
Following “Resentment,” Mr. Indiana published “Three-Month Fever: The Andrew Cunanan Story” (1999), a chilling exploration of the life of the serial killer responsible for the murder of fashion icon Gianni Versace. This was succeeded by “Depraved Indifference” (2001), a novel that delves into the twisted tale of con artists and murderers, Sante and Kenneth Kimes. Mr. Indiana articulated that with these three works, he aimed “to understand something about the pathology of families.”
“Depraved Indifference,” released in 2001, was particularly focused on unraveling the complexities and dysfunctions inherent in familial relationships. Mr. Indiana’s exploration of such themes continues to resonate, reflecting both the dark corners of society and the intricacies of human connection.
