Has anybody found or put together a guide to the semi-fictionalized characters and institutions in Rachel Kushner’s The Flamethrowers?
For example, I got the impression that Flip Farmer is a pastiche of one or more real-life speed demons, and that the Valera Company is meant to be a bit more specific than generic Italian big business, but I don’t have enough background, and I’d like some further context.
I know that Didier is meant to be at least partially a pastiche of Kenneth Koch from his experiences with the Motherfuckers, but that was about all I picked up on.
The book is astonishingly good for anyone who hasn’t read it.
by SandpaperTeddyBear