It's been awhile since I've posted anything, with no good excuse. One book I've really been enjoying is Celeste Albaret's memoir of her life taking care of Marcel Proust, during the last ten years of his life. I had a lovely time visiting Terence with Foxy, and discovering that she had a lovely old copy of that book as well. It's very good and something which was long out of print, then brought back in by the New York Review of Books imprint. They bring back some really wonderful things, such as A Way of Life Like Any Other, by Darcy O'Brien.

I feel a bit uncertain recommending Edgar Oliver's book, THE MAN WHO LOVED PLANTS, because Foxy and I are its publisher and editor, respectively. But we obviously felt it was fantastic enough to publish, so why not tell you all about it? It will be officially published and available in stores in mid February 04, but if you're interested, please look at the Goodie.org site. The book is creepy and beautiful and full of horrific things. Anyone who likes Anais Nin, Jean Cocteau or Alfred Chester won't want to miss Edgar's book.

Thanks Mr. Joe --

Based on your recommendation I finally got "Low Life" by Luc Sante. What a delicious and trashy read! Very informative, and it really puts things into perspective as far as how much New York changes and is ever-evolving. Who knows what it will be like 10 years from now.

Also: Miss Understood, I decided I had to own "An Evening in the Garden of Allah". It's being shipped now .... can't wait to peruse all those pages of tucked poonanny!

Been trolling for source material for new alternative (and some trad) musicals recently.

I read LEXICON DEVIL, an oral history of Darby Crash and the Germs. Hmm no musical, not even punk musical there, but it'd make one helluva movie. Would love to direct that.

Am trying to decide if GODSPEED by Lynn Breedlove (of Tribe 8), about the misadventures a twentysomthing punk stone butch bicycle messenger/roadie, should be set to Tribe 8 stuff or a totally new score by a young alterna-dyke (or lovely new Breedlove songs). Sure that this story has theatrical potential.

Greg Herren's BOURBON STREET BLUES, about a gay go-go boy foiling far right plans to sabatoge New Orleans' Southern Decadence celebration, definitely has the makings of a campy gay cult musical classic.

THE WORLD OF NORMAL BOYS, about a gay Jersey teenager in the late 70s, is simply a revelation of a novel. It deserves to have as many iterations as possible, musical, film, twisted queer video game (evade phobic bullies and hump oddball neighborhood hotties for extra points), what have you. I LOVE this book.

AT SWIM, TWO BOYS, about the love of two young Irish boys in the years immediately preceeding 'the troubles,' is too heavy and dingy to be happy musical material, but oy is it emotional and moving. I don't think I have the particular skills to direct this flick (and flick it is), but I'd be it's enthusiastic supporter if it ever gets done right.

You might notice that queer youth is a persistent theme in my reading,and you'd be right; this is where the biggest drama, the most operatically emotional stories worthy of musical expression happens today. I was very moved to see Oprah of all people doing an episode devoted to the mental health of transgender youth. RENT, BARE and TABOO are decent for what they are, but the story of queer youth has yet to be told in all of its raw emotion. It's happened in pop music already, but not in musical theatre.

All My Love,
Addison "I Have a Heart After All" DeWitt

For my B'Day last year Justin (Bond) and Sammy Jo (Nancy Isla) gave me Tom Spanbauer's "In The City Of Shy Hunters" (There is also a thread about it in "My own private East Village")
He also wrote "The Man Who Fell In Love With The Moon" -a cult classic.
"Shy Hunters" is devastating to read for anyone who lived through that period in New York.
Justin and Sammy gave it to me with the warning...
"it's your life, you will cry".
It was, I did.
It takes place in the '80's East Village complete with AIDS, The Pyramid Club, Happy Phace and Ethyl Eichelberger.
It's a very powerful book.

Anyway, I was just in Portland with Pink Martini (doing a remix) and I saw a copy of "The Man Who Fell In Love With The Moon" on the car seat. I started spouting about Tom Spanbauer and they were like, "Do you want to meet him"? The next day we went over to his house. He is such a sweet guy. He told me that writing "Shy Hunters" almost killed him. He said he felt that he had to write it but it almost killed him. I can see why. He signed copies of both books for me and I gave him an original Jackie 60 tee shirt. We remembered the Paradise Garage, Flamingo, and 12 West. Also he told me the real address of his apartment in the book. (I told him that when I went to look for his apartment it didn't make sense. Then he gave me real address).
His books are a must read.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: daddy,

.tangle. and i have both made that
confusing walk down e. 5th st. only
to find no such address.
i love that you did it too, daddy.

sounds like your trip was EPIC!

I'll show you the real building.
I also know the restaurant. You will be very surprised.

"Real building" and "restaurant." Are those code words for something? Like parts of your anatomy maybe? Its just that I remember that time at Crobar where you said you would show me your "keyhole polisher."

Been in a wee bit of a funk lately... and this book suits me fine for that mood, Alan Bennetts' Writing Home. A 1997 book of his note, memories, diaries etc... lots of Northern British stowic phrases and rollin up yer sleeves slappin of thighs humor... I love some of the dialogue he writes just real Northern working class real blue colar droll dry humor... i never knew it was Bennett who wrote the screenplay for Prick Up Your Ears the Joe Orton biopic movie... gary oldman genius in that.. Anyway... a fab book, an easy read to dip in an out... if anyone wants it after am finished let me know would be happy to give it a new home!

While on holiday I read Father of Frankenstein by Christopher Bram, re-read Melville's Billy Budd for the first time in 20+ years, then tore through Dennis Cooper's latest novel, The Sluts. It's rare that I've had a chance to read purely for pleasure lately. Enjoyed Bram and Cooper but found Melville to be much duller and plodding than I remember.

The Dennis Cooper was gory and not totally my cup of tea but undeniably a compelling read. The dyke and fag stewardesses on my return flight from Athens were eyeing it the book cover with a rueful smile.

Try to catch the movie version of Billy Bud. Its an old black and whiter from the 50's. Devastating.

Billy Budd was one of the films that rocked my world when I was a kid. My brother took me to see it at the old, and even then, crumbling Allerton Theatre in The Bronx. I think it was early '60s. Peter Unstinov, a young Terence Stamp, and Robert Ryan in a tour-de-force as Claggart. Major!

OK Bookworms...
It's time for Bibliophile Part 2.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: daddy,