An Arcatiste in the post two below asks where he or she can read about Duncan Fallowell's mad lunch at San Lorenzo with his companions Quentin Crisp and Arnold Schwarzenegger. Duncan replies: "Yes, it's in my collection 20th Century Characters published by Vintage, now out of print, but available secondhand on Amazon. Perhaps I should post it on my site since it has a wildness about it you don't come across in journalism today. Richard Davenport-Hines cites that particular lunch as one of the greats in his book on Proust at the Majestic. Even then the Governor of California was an unstoppable force of charm and ambition." To buy click here
32 comments:
I see, Madame, that someone has also asked about my celebrity book which Susan Hill was going to publish. Well, in the event it turned out to be a bit too sexy for Susan and we agreed to go separate ways on this one. But we're still great chums. It's called Platinum Peepshow: through Art, Fashion & Entertainment 1979-2010, and is now with my agent, Andrew Kidd of Aitken Alexander Associates, who is punting it round the pond between uncontrollable fits of laughter. The twenty first century is such fun, isn't it?
All the best, Duncan Fallowell
Is that Krishnamurti in the bottom right corner? Amazing. He was born in 1895.
I recall Duncan talking about Krishnamurti years ago. Tried to read the sage once upon a time but in the end decided his take on wisdom wasn't for me. I've even dumped Mother Meera now. Moving happily towards unmediated nirvana.
Just as Krishnamurti told people to do. He was an anti-guru.
I see that the new paperback edition of Diana Mosley's writings now includes Duncan Fallowell's last interviews with her. What company you keep.
Please do not mention that woman.
Can't imagine Madame needing the services of a guru. What could she be taught?
She could be taught how to lift her skirt
Crisp and Schwarzenegger - not so improbable. Both warriors in different ways, one on screen the other on the streets. I can imagine kindred spirits as they toyed with San Lorenzo's delicious pasta.
I lift my skirt only for one - my bicycle.
Please post the article on your website Duncan. I can't be bothered to try to find a secondhand copy and it would be expensive. Or reprint the book yourself on Lulu. I'm aure your girlfriend Madame would help you flog copies.
I went to one of Fallowell's Sunday tea-parties once - they were a bit of a fixture here in west London a few years back. I met a road-sweeper and a viscount. A double first for me.
Oh yes. I don't recall being invited though it is true it would take a pack of huskies to get me to attend anything. I am the Davros of bloggers. I was born to sit here all day tapping. I'm just outisde Naples as I write. You wouldn't guess it, would you? May go on a passeggiata by the sea later on after supper.
Are you Toby Old the photographer? If you did buy it, you'd get lots of other delights as well.
Duncan
Madame Arcati, what are you doing in Salerno? My friend Natale is there, staying in some spa hotel. Do you two know something I don't?
Not the Villa Rizzo? - that's the only spa hotel I can think of. I have to say Salerno has little to recommend it tho' the Amalfi is just over yonder (if the chaotic roads don't lead you astray). I have bits of family here with other bits in the north near Venice so I pass through. It's such fun to go into an internet cafe and whip out the iPhone and check up on Arcati. How I love technology. Thank you God of Geeks.
No, one at Orvieto - except he's back in Sicily this weekend to vote in the European elections. He'll return to Orvieto in a few weeks after a tour of the power stations of Italy.
Apparently Fallowell wrote a hilarious piece on Gilbert & George for the Tate Magazine which the magazine pathetically dropped after pressure from Gilbert & George themselves. Will he tell us if that will be included in Platinum Peepshow?
Gawd, MA darling, I love it when these little parties pop-up from a subject.
About drf's comment on "the governator" being "an unstoppable force of charm and ambition", years ago a bought a little book called 100 ways to motivate yourself (by Steve Chandler) and an anecdote on Arnold Shwarzenegger was used to illustrate "How to" number one: Create a Vision; I found a webpage where someone cites the whole thing:
biznik.com/articles/being-like-arnold-schwarzenegger
In case this prompts anyone to buy the book, I must say i noticed more recent editions had that chapter/anecdote taken out...(?)... so find the one that has this cover
search.barnesandnoble.com/100-Ways-to-Motivate-Yourself/Steve-Chandler/e/9781565114210/?itm=6
(mine is a 1996 edition) or just buy the newer (and improved?) version, it's a good little self-help tool.
On Anon's comment : "Just as Krishnamurti told people to do. He was an anti-guru"
... Hum.. anti-guru, I like that! I truly believe that it is the gist of that saying: "When the Chela is ready, the Guru comes" - not only do we have to be prepared and open to a concept to listen and learn it, once we do, we may surpass the master and should be ready to move on, as we all advance towards enlightenment at different speeds, through different paths...
In regards to drf's book being out-of-print, I was very excited to hear on the radio the other morning that some bookstores are trying out a new printer that publishes books on-the-spot, which will help people get out-of-print books of all kinds at an affordable price.
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104644575
That and this little gadget
plasticlogic.com
are going to bring on a revolution to the dead-tree press (I can't wait to get me one of these; it accepts all kinds of formats - UNLIKE the Kindle).
BTW, with this, I'm not discouraging supporting Salt Publishing's Just One Book campaign; I want them to overcome their financial hardship and continue their labour of love in promoting poets and so on (hi, Ms. Baroque), but I also want them to go with the times and realise publishing is more than taking the book to the press. Their job is very important and they should workout things so that they can move on to new (digital) publishing strategies.
...and... there is no such thing as unmediated Nirvana, baby - we are learning through someone, all the time, from the most unexpected sources. Don't get all upset now; I mean it in the most loving way.
ox
This book costs over £85 on Amazon UK! It must be pure gold! Don't geddit. Why don't they reprint it?
I want Fallowell to interview Lord Mandelson. Please, Mummy, please!
Fallowell must sitting on a timebomb of gossip because he was gay and took drugs. That Amis crowd were all hideously straight - wouldn't know ambivalence or danger if it hit them over the head!
I agree about Amis. Then again he is collaborating in his lovers' treacheries which is so clever. None of this tabloid denial drivel. Have never understood how Clive James could belong to such a smart crowd. He's all poly no math. I find his comic locutions embarrassingly lame. His poetry cringe-making.
Replying to Art Bandit's two comments
1) Yes, it is.
2) I'll ask Lord Mandelson. I met him a few times in the sauna of my health club. But he wouldn't do anything at the moment, would he? So I'll ask him when he's among the Opposition, probably before the end of the year.
Best, Duncan Fallowell
Just noticed the thing about Susan Hill. I didn't realise her publishing outfit was for the Girl Guides. She must have known who she was getting into bed with when she agreed to publish Duncan's book. I don't know about Aquarians but may be she should stick to writing fiction.
The Amis idea of pushing the envelope is to get married and have kids
Schwarzenegger doesn't like books any more.
I know. Madame Arcati is happy to predict that textbooks will not be going out of fashion any time soon.
Is there something you want to say, darling? Let it out.
ox
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