I certainly agree that “highlife-lowlife” describes Joseph Mitchell’s profiles of Joe Gould.

Gould, at times, seemed like a typical vagrant on the streets of New York–his eccentricity, relying on the support and charity of others, sleeping in flophouses (which seemed like they were some precursor to the city’s shelter system today). In this way, he fit the “lowlife” aspect. But he was definitely “highlife” as well, what with being published in magazines and attending writers’ circles (whether he was welcome there or not.) What’s more, he seemed to enjoy the life he was living, and that’s about as “highlife” as one can get.

I found it very hard to believe, at times, that what I was reading was a (presumably, mostly) true story about a real person. Mitchell’s style made it all seem just like a novel, a mini biography of a fantastical, fictional person. I did notice that the second profile was longer and included many more quotes from Gould himself, long quotes.

I was kind of daunted by Mitchell’s profiles, to be honest. I couldn’t imagine writing something so detailed, so long and involved. Overall, I thought it was very fine work.