Veteran journalist Jon Ronson is tackling modern masculinity in his latest work, The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men. The book originated from an unusual incident three years ago when Ronson’s adult son texted about a bizarre encounter at a Gothic castle in rural Connecticut. A woman had been invited to the property by a man she met on Tinder, only to discover the gathering was ostensibly for a reality television show called “101 Princesses,” with the castle owner positioning himself as a king searching for a queen.
Intrigued by the peculiar situation, Ronson visited the castle himself to investigate further. This encounter became the foundation for his broader exploration of contemporary male identity. The book weaves together interviews and observations centered around the castle’s owner, Chris Mark, a wealthy descendant of a Gilded Age industrialist, while expanding into wider cultural investigations about masculinity in crisis.
Throughout the work, Ronson examines various figures and trends that reveal changing patterns in male behavior. He profiles early YouTube influencers, television creators, and actors whose careers have been affected by controversies. Ronson identifies several distinct archetypes of men who thrive in online spaces, each representing different responses to modern pressures. The author ultimately reflects on how societal support systems have eroded for men, particularly as technology reshapes how individuals seek purpose and connection.
Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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