Drawing on letters, diaries, and tape-recorded conversations, the author recounts his friendship with Dean, including their sexual relationship, and reveals Dean's feelings about his success, his parents, and death. 25,000 first printing. $25,000 ad/promo. IP.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
In a coarse memoir, a longtime friend of the 1950s movie idol recalls his rise to fame, obsession with death, and--in exasperatingly great detail--his bisexual exploits. Gilmore succeeds at conveying the sources of Dean's vulnerability and his preoccupation with death, elements that fueled both Dean's screen persona and his personal life. He adored his devoted mother, who died when Dean was nine; his father disowned him as a weakling. Also effective are Gilmore's recollections of the mass voyeurism that Dean's violent death engendered. He reconstructs dialogue entertainingly (``Some people just think square, man,'' Dean once told him), and Dean's ongoing use of drink and drugs has a ``Gee, Officer Krupke'' innocence to it, limited largely to reefer, bennies, beer, and a flirtation with brandy in an attempt to steal some of Brando's thunder as ``Hollywood's Number One Bad Boy.'' But these vivid glimpses of Dean are not enough to counter some bad writing. There are uncomfortable metaphors (``The future looked bright and wide open as a prairie''), tangled syntax (``As a boy during the Second World War I wrote on and off for close to half a century''), and much puffery (``No truer maverick have I ever known''). Add to that too many graphic (and highly Anglo-Saxon) descriptions of Dean's and friends' many varieties of bisexual sex--two-plus-one, with lotion, in black leather to Edith Piaf- -and the book becomes more of an assault than a requiem. Had any of these passages contained the wit of Gilmore's description of Dean's sexual proclivities--''Not particularly gay''--they would have been more palatable. Though Gilmore offers insights into the star's troubled life, this book is mainly for Dean fans and devotees of celebrity sex. (b&w photos, not seen) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.00
Within U.S.A.
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. First Edition. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported. Seller Inventory # 1560251468-7-1
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # N15H-01495
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Good dust jacket. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # Z14M-01017
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Half Price Books Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_392059410
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_405302519
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G1560251468I3N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G1560251468I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 0.9. Seller Inventory # G1560251468I5N10
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Jeff Stark, Barstow, CA, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Fine. 1st. First edition stated on the copyright page. The cover has a sub-title that differs from the title page sub-title - stating "My Life With James Dean." Fine looks new with no wear or markings. Seller Inventory # 041342
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: JEANCOBOOKS, Levittown, NY, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Former library book with the usual library markings. The binding and pages are tight and clean. 1st page clipped by the librarian. Seller Inventory # 60-x29
Quantity: 1 available