Thursday, November 24, 2011

Duncan Fallowell's Turin letter: Magical mysteries... and a dark porn cinema

Dear Madame Arcati

I have just returned from an intoxicating period in Turin and, since you have an Italian name and also an interest in mystery, I thought you might like the series 'Tredici Misteri di Torino' [Thirteen Mysteries of Turin] which I have to-day posted on YouTube.

Here is a taste, click here.

The city is fortresslike and of massive blocks on a stone grid with secret baroque courtyards and rococo interiors. For its size it has a greater number of bookshops than any city in the world. And its caffés are even grander than Vienna's with better food and more gymnastic waiters. You will also be interested to know that it is one of the three cities of the white magic triangle (the other two being Prague and Lyon) and doubtless even more excited to learn that it is one of the three cities of the black magic triangle too! (the other two being London and San Francisco - how on earth did Frisco get in there?).

It certainly has the darkest porn cinema I've ever visited, a cosy retreat when the weather is inclement. Not that it was inclement. Glacial blue skies, starry at night, and the Alps snowcapped as backdrop. Anyway the city is weatherproof with nearly 20 miles of glorious arcades in the historic centre and something of interest round every other pillar. You probably want to know more about my erotic adventures there - but I'm still in a secretive romantic glow so allow me to fondle my memories privately a little longer.

With best wishes, Duncan Fallowell

My Dear Duncan

Thank you so much - it's been years since I stayed in Torino. As to your intriguing film, I find that an iconic water feature in a place of worship is never so much sullied as by stigmata of its electrical power source. Don't you find? Still, your average Roman Catholic is a pragmatist. Which is just as well.

I think Turin has found its re-creator.

Love & Light (to quote the hideous New Age lingo)

MA x

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am annoyed that I am not in line for the Jubilee Medal 2012.

Anonymous said...

Your mate certainly knows how to give a city pulling power

Madame Arcati said...

Another mystery to add to the many others, my dear Ciaran.

The late Bosie said...

Turin has at least 7 porn cinemas which is not bad going given the small population.

Anonymous said...

Address of porn cinema please - and a church for confession after

Anonymous said...

That sound always makes we want to pee

Anonymous said...

I mean me want to pee

or me want to wee

Anonymous said...

I've wet meself

The Duchess said...

I much prefer Naples - great for dirty shopping.

Anonymous said...

May I suggest that Mr DF write a sex guide to the world, given his bisexual satyriasis. Humour, bawdiness and accuracy would work a treat on our semi-literate book sales charts!

Anonymous said...

I didn't know Arcati was Italian though Arcati does sound foreign.

Anonymous said...

Your name's really Evadne Itacra isn't it

Prince Charming said...

I recommend the seventh mystery for all you Cinderellas out there

Do The Funky Chicken said...

I have discovered that Nostradamus lived in Torino and Nietzsche went mad there. Cesare Pavese and Primo Levi committed suicide there. Can't wait to go.

Madame Arcati said...

Nostradamus - Hister - Hitler - not.

Anonymous said...

Looks like Fallowell is switching to video-travel now. I still prefer the books.

Anonymous said...

I see Alan Hollinghurst thinks very highly of Mr Fallowell in The Guardian today.

Madame Arcati said...

21st century authors must expoloit multi-media to promote themselves as celebs. I think it works. After all, Duncan's How To Disappear memoir has made the Guardian's books of the year list - Alan Hollinghurst describes the book as 'dream-like' and 'brilliant'.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/25/books-of-the-year?newsfeed=true

Anonymous said...

Internet tv is a good outlet

Leonardo said...

undoubtedly the grandest porno cinema I have ever seen with a gorgeous pissoir.

The Pope said...

As a virtual Turinese myself, the challenge is to find a Turin porno house that doesn't screen just straight sex. Those Italians, so (lapsed) Catholic!

Anonymous said...

If Hollinghurst is writer of the year and recommends Duncan what does that make Duncan?

Anonymous said...

How to we get this blasted Disappear book? Sold out on Amazon. Does Madame Arcati have a secret boxful? Perhaps you wrote it and you are Duncan Fallowell and it's all a scam and nothing is real and cyberspace is a dream.

Madame Arcati said...

Truth is, the internet is real and so is DF's gorgeous book. I have one perfect copy and one (invaluable) imperfect copy - all mine. You could email Ditto Press, the publisher, and ask whether they have any spare copies. Christmas is close after all.

Madame Arcati said...

Welcome Rosemary to my salon. Some grow fearful, others thrive. x