Erasure: Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

Monk laments the poorly edited submissions he reads, noting how overly long and bloated some of the novels are. He enjoys some of them, and he even reluctantly admits that some are better than anything he could have written. Later, he and the judges gather for their first conference to discuss submissions. Two judges suggest that they shortlist books written by colleagues. Monk suggests they wait until all the submissions come in before making any decisions.

Christmas comes and goes, and Mother’s health continues to deteriorate. Monk learns that Fuck will be released early “because of the great interest.” Then he receives a padded envelope in the mail that January with a bound galley of Fuck and a request that it be considered for The Book Award. Now he’s in a real pickle: he won’t admit to being Stagg R. Leigh, and yet he can’t disqualify himself from judging it without revealing his dual identity. He decides to ignore the problem, assuming that none of the judges would deign to take the book seriously. 

Meanwhile, Monk self-isolates, ignoring letters he receives from students, colleagues, and potential employers. One day, he sits in the study and imagines a hypothetical reading given by Stagg Leigh. Stagg wears baggy pants and a black silk shirt. A young white woman from the Friends of the Book Society introduces him. Some older white women sit in the front row, appearing nervous. Stagg takes the stage and loudly exclaims, “Fuck!” Then he segues into the reading. Later (in reality), Kenya Dunston selects Fuck for her book club. Unfortunately for Monk, this means Stagg Leigh must appear on the Kenya Dunston Show to plug the book. 

Monk—and Stagg Leigh—travel to New York, Monk for his meeting with The Book Award judges, and Stagg for his appearance on the Kenya Dunston Show. At the committee meeting, Monk and the other judges discuss the books they’ve read. Ailene Hoover asks if any of them have read Fuck yet, and everyone except Sigmarsen says they have. Those who’ve read it (minus Monk) agree that it will at least make their top-20 list. Monk feels sick to his stomach. 

The next day, Monk takes a cab to the address of Tilly McFadden’s apartment. A shirtless, tattooed white man (the skinhead) opens the door. The man is unfriendly, and Monk notes a crucifix next to a swastika on the wall. When Monk tells the man he’s looking for Tilly, the man says she’s dead. Gretchen is still alive, though. Monk tells the man that Gretchen is apparently his half-sister. In response, the man (using a racial slur) says he knew Gretchen was part Black. Monk offers to pay the man to take him to Gretchen’s house, and the man eventually agrees. 

Monk follows the man (the skinhead) several blocks over to a different brownstone. He hands the man cash, and then the man walks away. Monk rings the bell for Gretchen Hanley’s apartment. After a pause, the door buzzes, and Gretchen—his half-sister—lets him inside. The apartment is small and disheveled, and Monk discerns that the woman isn’t doing well. A baby sits in the corner. Monk introduces himself to Gretchen and explains that he’s her half-brother. Gretchen tells him the baby is her granddaughter whom she watches while her daughter works. Then when Gretchen’s daughter returns, Gretchen goes to work. That’s how it is every day. She asks Monk what he does for work, and Monk tells her he’s a writer. “How wonderful,” Gretchen replies coldly.

Monk dislikes Gretchen, but he understands her bitterness. He hands her the letter their father wrote but never sent to her. He explains that their father wanted to be in Gretchen’s life but couldn’t find her. Gretchen replies simply that Monk found her, and Monk can offer nothing in response to this. Impulsively, Monk takes out his checkbook and writes Gretchen a check for $100,000. He claims their father wanted her to have it. Gretchen asks Monk if he thinks the money will make everything better. He says he doesn’t think so, then he leaves.