Customer Reviews

Living And Dying in 4/4 Time

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Though publicised as a 'gay' work of non-fiction, 'Living & Dying...' is really a chronicle drawn from the inside of the AIDS epidemic in the US, specifically New York and Florida. That just happens to be written by a gay man. A very smart, very wry, very compassionate, very irrascible, gay man. It's quick to read, in journal format, but at times difficult to get through, not because of its style but because of its content. A subsidiary thread of the overall book is a look at the heavy metal/alternative music scene in the late 80's/early 90's, from the view of a (closeted gay) music journalist. Very good account, worth a read just for Gallotta's (nail)biting style.

Like most people, I've lost friends to AIDS. Living and Dying in 4/4 Time addresses the issues of living with and dying from AIDS in the very real terms of everyday living. That Paul Gallotta has brought the light of his wry and often self-abasing humor to shine upon this dark topic adds a humane element to this inhumane killer.
The socio-economic impact of AIDS is brought home in terms of pain. The socio-political impact of AIDS spotlights how poorly our politicians have handled this crisis.
This inside view of Paul Gallotta's battles with his own demons while fighting to help those who live with the sands of their life's clocks rapidly pouring away will touch upon your soul.
A book for all people, a book for the ages.
By the way - for those who do not recognize the reference to "4/4 Time", Mr. Gallotta was a journalist, of no small repute, who specialized in Rock and Roll, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music. His transition to care giver was a loss to one world and a giant gain to another.

I bought a copy of the book and read it with interest. My former partner died of AIDS. This is one of the first books that I have read that actually gets all the things about living with AIDS right. The battles with bureaucracies in hospitals, city and state agencies, the friends who disappear then reappear at the funeral crying elephant tears, as well as the unsung heroes who do exist. I have been depressed with the result of the election. I only hope that whoever is appointed to oversee AIDS reads this book so that they can really appreciate what is going on out there..

I almost forgot to say that it is only Gallota's sense of humor and honesty that makes it possible to be reminded of the death of loved ones and yet want to finish the book.

This is unquestionably the strangest book I've ever read. At times I would actually find myself crying and would want to put it down, but I knew that if I read just a few more paragraphs, more often than not I'd find myself laughing twice as hard as I was crying. I have never read any book in my entire life that has effected me this way. It was brutally honest and incredibly funny without ever being condescending. As a nurse, I can say that the author wrote many things about people that I have often wished someone would put into print. But his anger and and his frustration was only supassed by his sense of humor.I couldn't put this book down. I would--and have recommended "Living and Dying" to anyone who's ever had to endure the death of a loved one. It is hands down the best book I've read all year

A friend gave me an advance copy of 4/4 the other day. Admittedly I had never heard of P. Gallotta...I spent that night in his world. I could not put the book down. It's sad, yes, but Gallotta's sense of humor intertwining through - he managed to keep a the book light-as light as it could possibly be given the subject. If you want to read an important book, on an important subject, instead of mere fluff tonight, I urge your to give Gallotta's book a look.