The Voyeur's Motel Hardcover – July 12, 2016

I like the way it's written, the way non-fiction should be with a presentation of the facts and no judgement. It's mostly about the owner of the motel who added some custom vents in the attic so he could spy on his guests. He said he did it out of curiosity, but that's baloney. He did it to get aroused. And his wives went along with it. I wasn't much interested in the background and personality of the motel owner. I would not want to meet the guy. but the details of what he witnessed in those rooms over the years is compelling. Not just the sexual stuff, but the wiping of body fluids on the bedspread was appalling. I've always noticed that housekeeping always changes the sheets in motels and hotels, but you don't see any blankets or bedspreads on those carts in the hallways.

It's a shame that a good writer like Talese has sunk this low. This subject matter is beneath both him and we, his readers. In my view, if you're going to write about the sensational, at least use the material to provide some insightful perspectives on life, love, morality, ethics or the true role of sex in the human condition. Mr. Talese has addressed none of these aspects of life, and has instead, gone to play in the mud, to no other apparent purpose than to revel in filth, it seems just for the thrill of having the freedom to do so. As an immaculate dresser, I can't imagine what possessed him to "ruin his impeccable suit" in this way. I find it tragic, and such a waste of talent, and I'm amazed that so many still take him seriously as a writer, after such a sordid enterprise. I imagine it's because they are blinded by his technical skill., as well as his personal charm in interviews, and don't see, or choose not to see that his subject matter here is not worth spending any time on. I believe it's important to keep in mind that it's not only what a prominent writer decides what to bring to our attention, but why he does so. and what he does with that attention . The only motivation I see in this instance, is greed and titillation. Shame on you sir., Mr. Talese. In future, please use your gifts to edify and elevate us, or failing that, tell us some hard, pertinent truths that we'd rather not, but need to hear. It's easy to pander to our all too human natures, and distract from more important matters with pornography. You're better than that, and so are we.

Gay Talese has a way of making something that on the face of it could be vulgar and perhaps disturbing and making it a fascinating character study. It’s a great read and a quick one at that. Also very poignant in our current surveillance state.

Gay Talese, author of two of my favorite books, THY NEIGHBOR’S WIFE and HONOR THY FATHER, has polished off a tawdry short piece of sexual sociology with THE VOYEUR’S MOTEL. Talese’s piece is fifty years in the making, but was first published this spring in THE NEW YORKER. In 1966 Gerald Foos, a businessman in Aurora, Colorado, opened the Manor House Motel in which he installed vents above six rooms so he could observe the actions of his guests. With his wife’s compliance, Foos journaled the sexual proclivities of guests for almost forty years. Talese enters the picture in 1980, when Foos sends him a letter detailing his adventures and requesting a meeting. Talese flies to Colorado and meets with Foos, even accompanying him to his viewing platform and watching a young couple fornicate. Talese realizes he can’t publish the man’s story because Foos does not want to be identified, due to legal issues, etc. Over the next thirty years Foos shares his detailed journals with Talese via the mail, which Talese reproduces chunks of throughout the slim book. The entries are titillating and revealing as the times change in regards to interracial sex, homosexual relations and group play. The more interesting moments are the ones where guests simply relate as people, brushing their teeth, discussing money, going to the bathroom and eating fast food. The “voyeur,” as Foos refers to himself sees rape, incest, physical abuse, drug use and even in one instance a murder. Talese adds little to the journals of Foos, simply some transitional exposition. Upon the release of THE NEW YORKER article Talese had his journalistic ethics called into question, but in my opinion, Talese is now outside the canon, and as one of the few gonzo journalist left, with Tom Wolfe, their views and opinions are often considered “old-fashioned” and “out of date.” That being said, Foos’ journal, no matter how murkily achieved, is a sociological sexual study of changing mores amongst the middle class.

The Voyeur's Motel is a somewhat guilty fun and fascinating account of an eccentric motel owner engaging in creepy misdemeanor criminal conduct that he got away with for decades. He was so desperate to view couples in the act that he went to the trouble of buying his own motel, building fake vents in the ceiling of certain rooms, and then creating an attic type area to spy down through the vents to witness everything going on.Part comical at times and terribly tragic in other parts, it truly -- if one believes the journal the voyeur kept, and there are indeed some reasonable doubts -- sheds light on private relations unlike anything you're likely to encounter. Talese is marvelous in bringing this all to the reader in sometimes mildly judgmental but at other times borderline sympathetic writing. The details about Vietnam War veterans and their private troubles and struggles is gut punching and demands to be read.

This story is very strange to say the least but I must say I found it riveting reading. (The documentary on Netflix is also well worth watching).Gay Talese obviously edited the original manuscript journal kept by Foos and I can’t help regretting that they did not do a full reprint of his whole journals, rather than what Gay thought worthy. I would read it if they did.Foos is an interesting character and not someone you would encounter everyday but without question voyeurs like him exist far more than we might like to think. His years of spying on guests at his motel in Colorado would unquestionably face criminal charges in the UK but the law is different in the US and he only went public after the Statute of Limitations (years elapsed since the crime) had passed.The book is easy reading, but obviously quite shocking. The fact he produced an ‘Annual Report’ on his activities made me laugh out loud.

After watching the documentary this book is almost the same. I do however enjoy the written word and this book was a fairly quick read. I'm sure the subject will divide opinions, for me it was about obsessive inclinations and creating opportunities to fulfil them. Some aspects of the story don't match independent sources but overall this has to be a rare account for the time period. Brave of the voyeur and journalist to be so open as there is alot to risk.

well written book by author ,it keeps you all time intrigued whats next happens to this i would say unique voyeur....i would highly recommend this to anyone who likes this kind stuff...

Lovely book

Nothing spectacular