Talk Back

[ADORKABLEGRRL]

I keep putting off reading the #2 book I started on ("An Unreasonable Woman" by Diane Wilson) -- mostly because it's a voluminous hardback & it weighs a ton to carry in my backpack (through the day, on various pub trans systems here in SF...) So, I'm thinking that I will need a good, long weekend to tackle it.

ANYHOW.

My #3 is a re-read of one of my favorite books of all time: "Memoirs of a Beatnik" by Diane diPrima

To anyone who is obsessed with the Beat writers (such as I am) or to denizens of San Francisco (such as I am) - Diane diPrima is a name of good recognition. diPrima is the most noted female poet amongst the predominantly male Beats... she held her own against writers of such note as Ginsberg, Kerouac, Corso, Kaufman, etc... and, is very highly regarded as one of the premier American feminist authors of the 20th Century.

I have read most of her catalog - starting with her first anthem of poetry (bought for me by my Mom when I was 16) "This Kind of Bird Flies Backwards" and ending with her autobiography "Stories from My Life as a Woman."

I should note that in the course of my adult life - I have owned FOUR copies of "Memoirs of a Beatnik" -- I keep giving them away to women who I think need to read it -- as it's a very direct, liberating book in a total pulp fiction vein.

One of the copies I gave away was an autographed copy which I bought at a small bookstore in Coventry, Ohio in 1999 -- I had the opportunity to meet Ms. di Prima at that point and questioned her about the veracity of the stories contained w/in "Memoirs" -- she maintained that 99% of the accounts are true and that only minor details, etc have been added for dramatic effect.

This book is a semi-verifiable account of Diane diPrima's life in New York City from the age of 17 to the age of 27 (when she left NYC for SF, where she currently resides) -- it vividly paints a story of a new kind of woman struggling to become independent in the patriarchal society of the 1950's and her discovery of not just her artistic voice - but, a lifestyle and group of contemporaries to live it with - and, her own sexuality.

"Memoirs" is poetic in it's nature and vibrantly sexual (a good book to read while snuggled up in bed on a rainy day with someone yummy) -- it was written as soft-core porn (now regarded as fine literature) in 1968 in order to support her growing family of her children and other disembodied poets on the SF Beat scene.

It is the engaging story of a woman who "lives life like she means it." And, many of my friends can attest that shortly after I read it for the first time - I ran away from home (to Boston) to live my life on the road, having adventures. (From which I've only recently settled down - oh, two years ago.) It's a powerful message mixed in amongst pulp. It's a fantastic read.

Oh - and, the part about her having sex w/Jack Kerouack while high on hash is true.

I recommend it highly.

In interesting news - if you happen to be in SF this weekend you can catch the ever moving Ms. diPrima (now in her 70's and still as feisty and fierce as ever) reading from her most famous book ("The Revolutionary Letters") at Diva Fest this coming Saturday (4/22) at 3pm. The reading is by "donation" and will be held at the Exit Theater -- 156 Eddy Street, SF 94102

I am eagerly anticipating this event, myself - as I've longed for the chance to hear her read & one of my good friends is taking a poetics class w/Diane... so the chances that I'll be able to chat w/her after over a cup of coffee is high.

OTHER BOOKS I RECOMMEND BY DIANE DIPRIMA:
"Loba"
"Dinners and Nightmares"
"This Kind of Bird Flies Backwards"
"The Revolutionary Letters"
"Selected Poems"
"Stories from My Life as a Woman"

For my next review:
"The Chelsea Horror Hotel"
by Dee Dee Ramone

(Yes, THAT Dee Dee Ramone!)

[Bea]

I saw the title of the novel and thought "someone else read this? and reviewed it here? how ironic that it was almost the book I started reading last night." then I looked over and saw the reviewer.

doh.

Thank you for that novel by the way. It is TRUELY one of my most prized possetions. Because the novel is good, because it's autographed, and most importantly because it was from you.
_________________
I was born to speak all mirth and no matter.