Poetry Books
Memoirs of a Beatnik
RRP: $8.95
Our Price:
You Save: $ 8.95 ( 100% )
Manufacturer: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Author: Diane Di Prima
Publisher: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Average Customer Rating:
Our Price:
You Save: $ 8.95 ( 100% )
Manufacturer: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Author: Diane Di Prima
Publisher: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Average Customer Rating:
Experimental feature: Order Memoirs of a Beatnik from the UK, Canada, Germany or France by clicking an appropriate flag below.
Some items available at Amazon.com are not available in all countries.
Some items available at Amazon.com are not available in all countries.
Memoirs of a Beatnik Description
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780867193466
ISBN: 0867193468
Label: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Manufacturer: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 138
Publication Date: 1988-07
Publisher: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Studio: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780867193466
ISBN: 0867193468
Label: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Manufacturer: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Number Of Items: 1
Book Pages: 138
Publication Date: 1988-07
Publisher: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Studio: Last Gasp of San Francisco
Editorial Review of Memoirs of a Beatnik
Long regarded as an underground classic for its gritty and unabashedly erotic portrayal of the Beat years, Memoirs of a Beatnik is a moving account of a powerful woman artist coming of age sensually and intellectually in a movement dominated by a small confederacy of men, many of whom she lived with and loved. Filled with anecdotes about her adventures in New York City, Diane di Prima's memoir shows her learning to "raise her rebellion into art," and making her way toward literary success. Memoirs of a Beatnik offers a fascinating narrative about the courage and triumphs of the imagination.
Customer Reviews of Memoirs of a Beatnik
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: 'Not Porn?' No, but not for prudes!
Review: No, it is not porn...but it is definitely not for prudes!
This book gave me a gorgeous, ripe, sensual snapshot of the life and the times of Diane DiPrima and the subculture in which she existed.
The writing sometimes lacked, but overall - it's a juicy peach with a bittersweet aftertase.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Read with one hand free.
Review: This book was loaned to me by a friend who swore that I would have to read it "with one hand free". While the story is very erotic, and the sex scenes are very real and compelling, I would not wholly agree with that statement. This, in part, is due to the fact that love scenes between men and women no longer do anything for me sexually. I prefer erotic writings between two women, and, though there were a few added to this book to spice things up (for me anyways) there were definitely not enough to arouse me to free one hand.
The story, however, is well written. It was an easy, delightful read, one that I polished off in two sittings. It catalogues the life of a young writer coming into her own sexuality, seizing whatever moments of transient, sensual bliss that she comes across. This book is somewhat autobiographical, cultivated from Di Prima's own experiences as a college drop out who, annoyed with the system of 1950`s education, decided to instead pursue writing full time. The main character in the story parallels her life to such a degree that the author had even named her heroine "Di Prima". The character Di Prima also flits about in the underworld of 1950's New York, inhabiting skeevy, infested pads with multiple people, coffee houses, book stores, parks, smoked out bar scenes, forests, fields, and (on one occasion) a country farm. Where the truth is obscured in this bohemian world of sex, drugs, and (pre) rock and roll is only up to the reader's decision. I know little about Di Prima myself, so I like to look at this as a fairly inventive, fictional piece of writing.
This is definitely a worthwhile read. I must admit, were I more inclined to heterosexual love scenes, I would have, indeed, read this with one hand free, seeing as how in every single chapter is a different, vivid description of one of her many sexual encounters. If you are inclined to beat writing, this is a canon of that genre. If you are a fan of erotica, how have you not read this one yet? Read it in a room, alone, or with a partner. It will get your juices flowing, if you pardon the pun.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Memoirs of a Beatnik
Review: As someone isn't easily shocked by sex, this book was engaging. I found myself hoping to find happiness within "one" of her sexcapades. However, if you are interested in an easy read, with graphic details. Enjoy. Don't be offended.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Not porn? Important to read?
Review: Sorry, but this is both an unimportant work, and pornographic (when every chapter revolves around one sex scene, I think it is safe to accuse a book of being pornographic). Understandably, it has been written that this book was intended to be exploitative, and di Prima wrote it because she needed money. Great. I hold nothing against writers doing what they need to do to make a living. If I recall correctly, Stephen King got his start writing articles for Playboy. With all that said, however, I think it is also important not to hold a book to unrealistic expectations, simply because of the author. Porn, porn, porn. Let's see: chapter 1, sex with Ivan. Chapter 2, recollection of the first time she had sex with Ivan. Chapter 3, sex with Robin (a man in love with Ivan). Chapter 4, Sex with Tomi (a female friend). Chapter 5, Tomi has sex with Tomi's brother. Chapter 6, Sex with 4 other women. Chapter 7, sex with Tomi's father Serge. Chapter 8, sex with young Jack and some guy with big ears while runaway girl watches. And so it goes, through all the chapters. So, if you're looking for a "spank" book, then check it out. If you're looking for a book about the beats from a woman's perspective (as it is boldly proclaimed on the front cover), look somewhere else.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was disappointed with this book, but that could very well be my own fault because of the expectations I took with me when I first started it. I had picked up this book in hopes of finding the female version of On The Road. I wanted a female artistic rendering of the period and art and philosophy and what her thoughts were on what she went through. Instead I found a mediocre telling of sexual encounters. I understand that sexual freedom was a big part of the Beat experience and I certainly have no problem with reading about that aspect of Di Prima's life, I was just disappointed that she basically made it appear that her role in the whole Beat movement had nothing much to do with art or philosophy, but more to do with being a sexual object. Isn't that what women fight against these days?
I'm willing to admit that my own prejudices and opinions and desires are a big part of what made me not like this book. I guess I would suggest that you read it with an open mind and without a lot of great expectations. The writing is ok but not great. The stories are a little on the boring side. There isn't a lot of introspection or thoughts on life and politics and poetry. It seems more to me that her editors told her sex would sell and they cut everything else of any interest or importance out of the book. So to me, the book is far too shallow to be something I'd recommend to anyone else.
Review Summary: 'Not Porn?' No, but not for prudes!
Review: No, it is not porn...but it is definitely not for prudes!
This book gave me a gorgeous, ripe, sensual snapshot of the life and the times of Diane DiPrima and the subculture in which she existed.
The writing sometimes lacked, but overall - it's a juicy peach with a bittersweet aftertase.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Read with one hand free.
Review: This book was loaned to me by a friend who swore that I would have to read it "with one hand free". While the story is very erotic, and the sex scenes are very real and compelling, I would not wholly agree with that statement. This, in part, is due to the fact that love scenes between men and women no longer do anything for me sexually. I prefer erotic writings between two women, and, though there were a few added to this book to spice things up (for me anyways) there were definitely not enough to arouse me to free one hand.
The story, however, is well written. It was an easy, delightful read, one that I polished off in two sittings. It catalogues the life of a young writer coming into her own sexuality, seizing whatever moments of transient, sensual bliss that she comes across. This book is somewhat autobiographical, cultivated from Di Prima's own experiences as a college drop out who, annoyed with the system of 1950`s education, decided to instead pursue writing full time. The main character in the story parallels her life to such a degree that the author had even named her heroine "Di Prima". The character Di Prima also flits about in the underworld of 1950's New York, inhabiting skeevy, infested pads with multiple people, coffee houses, book stores, parks, smoked out bar scenes, forests, fields, and (on one occasion) a country farm. Where the truth is obscured in this bohemian world of sex, drugs, and (pre) rock and roll is only up to the reader's decision. I know little about Di Prima myself, so I like to look at this as a fairly inventive, fictional piece of writing.
This is definitely a worthwhile read. I must admit, were I more inclined to heterosexual love scenes, I would have, indeed, read this with one hand free, seeing as how in every single chapter is a different, vivid description of one of her many sexual encounters. If you are inclined to beat writing, this is a canon of that genre. If you are a fan of erotica, how have you not read this one yet? Read it in a room, alone, or with a partner. It will get your juices flowing, if you pardon the pun.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Memoirs of a Beatnik
Review: As someone isn't easily shocked by sex, this book was engaging. I found myself hoping to find happiness within "one" of her sexcapades. However, if you are interested in an easy read, with graphic details. Enjoy. Don't be offended.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Not porn? Important to read?
Review: Sorry, but this is both an unimportant work, and pornographic (when every chapter revolves around one sex scene, I think it is safe to accuse a book of being pornographic). Understandably, it has been written that this book was intended to be exploitative, and di Prima wrote it because she needed money. Great. I hold nothing against writers doing what they need to do to make a living. If I recall correctly, Stephen King got his start writing articles for Playboy. With all that said, however, I think it is also important not to hold a book to unrealistic expectations, simply because of the author. Porn, porn, porn. Let's see: chapter 1, sex with Ivan. Chapter 2, recollection of the first time she had sex with Ivan. Chapter 3, sex with Robin (a man in love with Ivan). Chapter 4, Sex with Tomi (a female friend). Chapter 5, Tomi has sex with Tomi's brother. Chapter 6, Sex with 4 other women. Chapter 7, sex with Tomi's father Serge. Chapter 8, sex with young Jack and some guy with big ears while runaway girl watches. And so it goes, through all the chapters. So, if you're looking for a "spank" book, then check it out. If you're looking for a book about the beats from a woman's perspective (as it is boldly proclaimed on the front cover), look somewhere else.
Customer Rating:
Review Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was disappointed with this book, but that could very well be my own fault because of the expectations I took with me when I first started it. I had picked up this book in hopes of finding the female version of On The Road. I wanted a female artistic rendering of the period and art and philosophy and what her thoughts were on what she went through. Instead I found a mediocre telling of sexual encounters. I understand that sexual freedom was a big part of the Beat experience and I certainly have no problem with reading about that aspect of Di Prima's life, I was just disappointed that she basically made it appear that her role in the whole Beat movement had nothing much to do with art or philosophy, but more to do with being a sexual object. Isn't that what women fight against these days?
I'm willing to admit that my own prejudices and opinions and desires are a big part of what made me not like this book. I guess I would suggest that you read it with an open mind and without a lot of great expectations. The writing is ok but not great. The stories are a little on the boring side. There isn't a lot of introspection or thoughts on life and politics and poetry. It seems more to me that her editors told her sex would sell and they cut everything else of any interest or importance out of the book. So to me, the book is far too shallow to be something I'd recommend to anyone else.