Memoirs of a Beatnik

Media:	Paperback
Author:	Diane Di Prima, Diana Di Prima
Publisher:	Penguin Books
Release date:	01 August, 1998
List price:	~~$14.00~~
Our price:	$11.20 that is 20% off!

Memoirs of a Beatnik

Average rating: Stars

Memoirs of a Beatnik

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.

Memoirs of a Beatnik - Diane Di Prima, Diana Di Prima

Not porn? Important to read?

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.

Diane Di Prima, Diana Di Prima - Memoirs of a Beatnik

Disappointed

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.

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