Interview: Toby Young, Author of The Sound of No Hands Clapping: A Memoir - Page 2

SB: In a review, The New York Times put it this way: “Failure is Mr. Young’s calling card. It works for him.” Is that a fair description of your life and work?  

TY: I wouldn’t quibble with that. I’m a professional failure. I'm in the odd position of only being able to pay the mortgage so long as I remain unemployed. The moment I'm perceived to be even a tiny bit successful, my career will go down the pan. Fortunately, I’ve experienced no difficulty in sustaining this career. Failure just seems to come naturally to me. 

SB: That review also suggests your franchise is now over because you are happy as a father. Say it ain’t so. 

TY: That’s a gross libel. How dare he suggest I’m happy? Doesn’t he realize my livelihood is at stake? I’m going to sue. 

SB: Reading this I was reminded of a New Yorker article about Lucinda Williams that delved into the question of whether someone who specializes in writing sad songs can be happy in their personal life or if that is a recipe for problems. Ultimately, if I recall correctly, she ended a good relationship because it was getting in the way of her songwriting. Have you had any successes that you’ve had to torpedo - or not write about – because it would screw up your reputation as a failure? 

TY: I don’t set out to fail. The sad truth is, I genuinely want to succeed. When I first joined Vanity Fair I thought I’d be the editor-in-chief within five years. Instead, I ended up road-testing sex toys for a third-rate men’s magazine. My career as a professional failure has been foisted upon me; it’s not one I’ve chosen for myself. I wish I could say I’ve had a string of successes that I’ve been concealing from my readers, but, alas, it isn’t so. 

SB: My only criticism of this book is that you didn’t name names. To me it was frustrating to read about your dealings with a Hollywood producer when you wouldn’t give his name. Similarly, it was difficult to read about your concern about writing an uplifting biopic about a music producer without knowing the name. Do you have any regrets about not naming names? If I suggested the names are Joel Silver and Phil Spector would I be close? Have any reviewers correctly identified the two and, if so, have there been any reprisals? 

TY: So far, no reviewers have correctly identified the movie producer or the record producer, though I live in constant fear that it will happen. When it does, the only way I’ll be able to escape Mr. Hollywood’s wrath is by changing my name and moving my family to Mexico. As to your attempt to guess who they are, I plead the Fifth. 

Article Author: Scott Butki

Scott Butki was a newspaper reporter for more than 10 years before making a career change into education.

He is an in-house media critic, a recovering Tetris addict and a proud uncle.

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