Who Is the Bad Art Friend?

Dawn Dorland v. Sonya Larson.

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story October 8, 2021 Photo illustration by Pablo Delcan Who Is the Bad Art Friend? Art often draws inspiration from life — but what happens when it's your life? Inside the curious case of Dawn Dorland v. Sonya Larson. By Robert Kolker In 2015, Dawn Dorland did perhaps the kindest, most consequential thing she might ever do in her life. She donated one of her kidneys and decided to share her truth with others. After her surgery, she posted something to a private Facebook group: a heartfelt letter she'd written to the final recipient of the surgical chain, whoever they may be. But just after the surgery, when she checked Facebook, Dorland noticed some people she'd invited into the group hadn't seemed to react to any of her posts. Barely anyone brought up what she'd done, even though everyone must have known she'd done it. She wrote an email to one of them: a writer named Sonya Larson, who answered with a chirpy reply — "How have you been, my dear?" Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Dorland replied with a rundown of her next writing residencies and workshops, and as casually as possible, asked: "I think you're aware that I donated my kidney this summer. Right?" Only then did Larson gush: "Ah, yes — I did see on Facebook that you donated your kidney. What a tremendous thing!" Afterward, Dorland would wonder: If she really thought it was that great, why did she need reminding that it happened? What happens when details about your life show up in someone else's short story? Inside the curious case of Dawn Dorland v. Sonya Larson. Subscribe Today We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer. Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT MORE FROM THE MAGAZINE Artwork by Kensuke Koike; Photographs by Tommy Kha The Myth of Asian American Identity We're the fastest-growing demographic group in the U.S. But when it comes to the nation's racial and ethnic divisions, where do we fit in? By Jay Caspian Kang Philip Montgomery for The New York Times Laurie Anderson Has a Message for Us Humans For half a century, she has taken the things we know best— our bodies, our rituals, our nation — and shown us how strange they really are. By Sam Anderson Artwork by Sohei Nishino Thousands of Photographs of the Sea, in One Image During lockdown, a traveling master of the photomontage took on a radically new subject: the roiling sea near his home. Artwork by Sohei Nishino Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk Indra Nooyi, Ex-C.E.O. of Pepsi, Thinks Big Business Can Do Better "It's not about giving away money we've made. It's about how we make money a different way." By David Marchese Stay in touch: Follow us on Twitter (@NYTmag) or check us out on Instagram. Appreciated this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. Loved a story? Hated it? Write us a letter at magazine@nytimes.com. Did a friend forward this to you? Sign up here to get the magazine newsletter. Listen to narrated versions of our articles every week. Download Audm for iPhone or Android. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The New York Times Magazine from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018