Having just read City on Fire , I found I wanted to know more about Patti Smith, the idol of one of the main characters. I have never listened to anyHaving just read City on Fire , I found I wanted to know more about Patti Smith, the idol of one of the main characters. I have never listened to anything by Smith, though I think I will be soon, and before City on Fire figured she was just some sort of punk icon who was more a symbol, not an actual talent. I still don't know how talented she is musically, but having read Just Kids , she does have some talent for writing -- at least about Robert Mappelthorpe.
I expected this to be more an autobiography of Patti Smith and while she does focus on her own life, this is more a biography of Mappelthorpe. Early on, Smith does discuss her childhood and early days in NYC, but once she meets Mappelthorpe she rarely seems to discuss her own story beyond its relationship to his. But that is okay -- his life is fascinating and her recounting of their relationship is excellent and envy inducing. Well, maybe not the heterosexual being in love with a homosexual part, though she seems to move past that issue rather quickly, but the environment in which they lived. Their story is the romantic archetype of the life of a poor, starving artist in a vibrant cultural scene. They are truly too cool for school.
Writing of Robert's death is heartbreaking and overall this commemoration of their friendship was moving. The book is a bit tedious at times, and it is hard not to want to roll your eyes at all the I-am-an-artiste digressions, but overall it is an interesting take on a unique friendship and a neat look into late 60s/early 70s NYC. ...more
What makes Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight an outstanding memoir was Fuller's interesting choice to tell the story of growing up as an "expat4.75
What makes Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight an outstanding memoir was Fuller's interesting choice to tell the story of growing up as an "expat-like-us" in Africa from a child's POV and the fact she did not tie herself to recounting her childhood in a linear manner. The latter was effective since Fuller doesn't get bogged down in the day-to-day mendacity that is life and she can focus on events and stories that give a full picture to growing up (white) in Africa. Her choice to use a child's POV is incredibly clever since it allows her to touch on issues like racism, post-colonialism, and dysfunctional family dynamics without needing to present apologies, excuses, or really any editorializing and that let's her experience shine through.
What makes Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight an outstanding book is Fuller's feel for language. Her feel for dialogue (naturally reconstructed, but incredibly realistic) is outstanding and her rendering of a child's understanding of language is superb. She is also a hell of a writer.
My only complaint was the ending -- it was far too abrupt. We suddenly jump ahead to her wedding, which wouldn't be horrible, except that suddenly 10 years (or something) have passed since the last event she recounts and since none of the memoir is written from an adult perspective, this relatively short portion is jarring....more
I didn't really learn anything about Assia Wevill from this book. I am not sure if Koren needs to do more research or write differently, but this treaI didn't really learn anything about Assia Wevill from this book. I am not sure if Koren needs to do more research or write differently, but this treatment was superficial and flat....more
Overall this was just too superficial to get a higher rating. If you like fashion, you will probably want to read this anyway; I had read the less-thaOverall this was just too superficial to get a higher rating. If you like fashion, you will probably want to read this anyway; I had read the less-than-stellar reviews, and the piece in Vanity Fair and still felt compelled to read it. It isn't a waste of time, especially if you like the gossipy style (which I did not mind), but you probably won't learn anything here either....more
A disappointment when compared to The Bullpen Gospels or if you are looking for another sort of insider look at major league baseball. However, thisA disappointment when compared to The Bullpen Gospels or if you are looking for another sort of insider look at major league baseball. However, this book is exactly what it purports to be -- an account of Dirk Hayhurst's time on the DL, his subsequent depression, and moving on. However, there is nothing really new here: Turns out athletes don't like weakness -- really? -- or that depression makes you less interested in things -- really? -- or that MLB players pocket their per diem -- wait, actually that was new. So, two stars for teaching us all how to be frugal when we make the Show. ...more
I read a review in Harper's about another book written by Laurie Pepper (co-author of Straight Life ) about Art Pepper and at least 3/4 of this revI read a review in Harper's about another book written by Laurie Pepper (co-author of Straight Life ) about Art Pepper and at least 3/4 of this review was dedicated to discussing how amazing Straight Life was. I still have no sense at all how good the new book is, but a flat out advertisement encouraging one to read Straight Life could not have been more persuasive. I found it impossible not to be intrigued by the selected excerpts discussing Art Pepper's hideous childhood and introduction to heroin and descriptions about his participation in a cult and as an inmate at San Quentin. Not to mention that Pepper was probably the one of (if not the) best alto sax players ever (I'll take the testimony presented in Straight Life as fact here since I know nothing about jazz). So I came to Straight Life not as a Pepper fan, but curious about how an autobiography as lauded as this one, with such ardent fans (at least given the discussion in Harper's ), had escaped my attention. I can't answer that question, but I can say this is an amazing book and I understand exactly why everyone was well, so, jazzed.
The story can't be beat -- Pepper had some unbelievable experiences -- but it is way it is told that makes this work such a triumph. Spoken by Art; taped, transcribed, and edited by Laurie, this reads like you have a junkie jazzman sitting on your couch telling you about "that one time when... ". Yet there are no tall tales here. No matter how morally bankrupt or desperate, Art is relentlessly honest and what he reveals about himself is shocking.
I was never particularly into determining all the details about the murder theories surrounding Kurt Cobain. I had the general opinion, especially aftI was never particularly into determining all the details about the murder theories surrounding Kurt Cobain. I had the general opinion, especially after seeing the documentary (such that it is) Kurt and Courtney, that Courtney Love killed him: either by having him murdered or driving the man to suicide. And in any case, who really cares? Nonetheless, curious about the last months of Cobain's life and his relationship with Courtney Love, and not trusting Heavier than Heaven, the Love "authorized" Cobain bio, I picked up this book. I must say, I definitely got what I was looking for. While the authors defend their thesis that Cobain was murdered, they give a decent sketch of the last years of Cobain's life. While not the book you would want to turn to to get better insight into Cobain himself (authorized or not, Heavier than Heaven is said to do that nicely), it does give ample attention to Cobain and Love's relationship.
On this topic, the authors paint a deeply disturbing picture of Love as a sociopathic, insane, lying media-whore. This is defended with transcripts of interviews between Love and her former private detective, Tom Grant, and augmented by the testimony of a score of people who have had the misfortune to know her. (Sorry, editorialized a bit there.) However, like the evidence presented in the book that presents a very compelling case Cobain was murdered, the portrayal of Love appears fairly objective. This book doesn't just make Courtney Love out to be a monster and then suggest such a person had to be behind the death of her husband. In fact, the case for murder, not suicide, is mostly supported by evidence of why a suicide in this particular case would be unlikely (e.g., his blood toxicity level, lack of fingerprints on the gun, etc.). But because motive is an issue that one must contend with, descriptions of Love and her character are necessary and relevant. All in all, this book convinced me it is highly unlikely he committed suicide, but I wouldn't go so far as to say Love hired a killer based on the evidence presented here (and neither do the authors -- directly at least). Yet, one is left with the uneasy feeling that she probably did.
For all its good points, the book does veer off into some pretty strange territory towards the end. They seem to suggest Courtney Love may be behind other "murders" and put forth a whole bunch of coincidences that decrease the authors' credibility. They also seem to defend against any potential claims they wrote this book for recognition or profit by saying that publishing this was something they had the moral obligation to do to prevent copy-cat suicides. I thought this came off as smarmy. However, overlooking these points, I say if you have interest in Cobain, Love, or his suicide/murder, you would do well to read this book.
Note to Kindle readers: This book has an annoying, reoccurring, typographical error. Every time something is italicized (which is a lot, think names of magazines, albums, etc.), there is no space between the italicized word and the preceding word. So, you get a lot of thing like "InSpin magazine...", etc. This drove me batty. If you can't stand this sort of thing, buy the hard copy.
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