HARD BEAUTY

“I think, for my type of personality, I might have been better as a male,” author Mary Gaitskill told The Believer earlier this year—though it’s really her unique perspective as a female (one unafraid to explore perversity, misogyny, and violence) that makes her one of the best living American authors today. Gaitskill is probably best known for her novel Veronica, a finalist for the National Book Award, about a former fashion model, and her short story “Secretary,” which was turned into a movie starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as a receptionist who likes to be spanked on the job. Tonight, she’ll discuss her new brilliant short-story collection Don’t Cry with John Freeman, editor of the acclaimed literary magazine Granta.

Fri., Aug. 21, 7 p.m., 2009