Customer Reviews

Notes of a Nude Model: & Other Pieces

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This book is beautifully written and full of basic truths about life, love, loss and the ways humans behave. I found it gripping and memorable.

She is an outrageous woman - but honest. People are drawn to her because of this . . .because her life has been so "outsized" compared to most people's. Wherever she is, she is the focus - her energy, charm, charisma - something. What is interesting is no matter how out of control she is - in some overwhelming situations - she is able to bring a laser sharp perception to bear on it.

Recvd Harriet's book and read it in a day. What a great little book! It fits within that pantheon of women of the Beat era like Joyce Johnson, HattieJones, etc. But it is something much more than that interms of "woman power". Why not longer??? I'm sure drawing from her life experience that Harriet could do an extensive amazing chronicle of her life & times in bohemia. I certainly wanted to hear more about her relationship with Alfred [Chester]--there's a lot more she could tell us. But I'm sure that Alfred is just one character among many others she could give insight into. As I mentioned previously to you: I find the 50s American ex-pat community in Europe fascinating material & yet largely ignored... You get a taste of it in The Beat Hotel but those guys were almostinsulated from the action compared with some of the others who made the decade. & Harriet is a real international bohemian! But let's not forget Harriet's own personal story.What an adventuress: a genuine personified spirit ofEros battling the forces of Thanatos! And she is astylist in her own right. I think that the title pieceis one of the best descriptive essays that I have ever read in terms of how it turns-the-tables & gives us the perspective of the object-of-gaze as both observor& participant. Harriet's figures and allusions are eloquently apt and enthralling. What insights! Totally unique! That essay should be anthologized. Thus, my modest appraisal of Harriet's book....Best,chris natale peditto, publisher/editor Heat PressPO Box 26218Los Angeles, CA 90026

Very nice collection from a fascinating lady - nice to see a female perspective of this era. My only complaint - it ended too soon! I wish there were 4-5 more short stories. . .