Francine Prose, a renowned novelist and critic, presents her first memoir titled “1974: A Personal History,” set to be published by Harper in 2024. This compelling memoir reflects Prose’s characteristic eloquence while exploring personal and political themes during a pivotal year in her life and in American history.
In 1974, at the age of 26, Prose had recently gone through a divorce, published her debut novel “Judah the Pious,” was working on a third, and moved to San Francisco. She describes her feelings of freedom and exhilaration during this time: “I liked feeling free, alive and on edge, even a little bit afraid … I wanted to feel like an outlaw.” The early 1970s in San Francisco were marked by an atmosphere of activism, juxtaposed with the disillusionment of the previous decade. Prose observes that while the late 1960s fueled hopes for transformative change, the 1970s brought a sobering realization that such changes were not materializing.
In her memoir, Prose recounts her relationship with Anthony Russo, an anti-Vietnam War whistleblower who was involved in leaking the Pentagon Papers. She vividly portrays her fascination with Russo, noting, “I had never met anyone like Tony,” while also capturing his frustrations regarding recognition and media attention he felt he deserved. Their late-night drives through San Francisco allow Prose to paint the city in rich, noir-inspired language: “As we headed west through Outer Sunset and circling back along the avenues of Outer Richmond, bright streaks of neon signage dripped down the windshield onto the glistening streets.”
Their mutual love for politics and storytelling and a shared appreciation for literature, particularly “Gravity’s Rainbow,” form a basis for their connection, though Prose often finds herself more as a listener to Russo’s rants. Despite warnings from friends about engaging with Russo, Prose embraces the relationship, finding solace in their spontaneous explorations. A significant moment unfolds during their first night together at the Sutro Baths, where the precariousness of their situation becomes apparent. Prose reflects, “Looking back, I’m a little frightened for that girl hanging out with a semi-famous, possibly unbalanced friend of a friend.” Despite the dangers, she acknowledges that she wasn’t frightened at the time, allowing readers to sense the yearning for freedom experienced by many in their twenties.
Ultimately, the relationship concludes poorly, and Prose moves on, stating, “We lost track of each other, and we let ourselves forget.” Throughout the memoir, Prose skillfully intertwines personal anecdotes with historical and political contexts, illustrating her journey as both a writer and an observer of the sociopolitical landscape of America during that turbulent time. Events such as Nixon’s resignation, the Pentagon Papers, the Patty Hearst kidnapping, and domestic spying cast a shadow over her personal narrative.
Prose reflects on Russo’s mission to expose government cover-ups surrounding the Vietnam War, which serves as both his crusade and his downfall. By chronicling her experiences and choices, Prose emphasizes the importance of belief and action in the face of adversity. “When I hear people talking about the crises we face now, saying that there’s nothing that can be done… Even if … the chances were that most of what you did would eventually be undone, you still had to try,” she asserts.
“1974: A Personal History” emerges as a beautifully crafted memoir that captures the essence of Prose’s growth as a writer and the awakening of societal consciousness to issues of violence and injustice, solidifying her position as a vital voice in contemporary literature.