Sunday 7 June 2009

from a mess to the masses

"Giovanni's Room" by James Baldwin

James Baldwin's "Giovanni's Room" actually made me cry in the subway yesterday which is always a sure sign that I really, really, REALLY like a book. A lot. It's so good in fact that I'm slow in reading it. Trying to avoid the harsh, painful ending that is sure to come for as long as possible. When Kasia wrote about identity here it reminded me of the part above.

I know I'm posting youtube videos way too often, but bear with me - this is Phoenix' new(ish) single "Lisztomania" which a) makes me want to dance, b) has some great beats, c) is wonderfully filmed and somehow looks like it was an old, rediscovered film from the 70s, d) takes place in the Liszt museum in Beyreuth apparently? Ace! Watch it!



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4 comments:

  1. i was thinking that the passage is sort of like how i feel and then i noticed you mentioned my post, haha. what's the book about? i like the writing style.
    i just watched that movie 'signs' and it made me smile so much :)

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  2. the book is about an American in Paris in the 50s or 60s who falls in love and has an affair with an Italian barman but then, in the words of the back cover, "denying his true nature, David rejects Giovanni for a "safe" future as a married man". it is also apparently "a landmark in gay writing". most of all it's about love though and not knowing who or what you are and being lost and it's great!
    "signs" is almost too cute, isn't it?

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  3. The word Lisztomania by itself is enough to make me a little bit giddy. Oh, French pop you have your moments.

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  4. agreed! I can even forgive them for naming their album "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" which, if an Austrian would do that, would be completely and utterly embarrassing.

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