Quentin Crisp's witty and yet profound diaries cover four years of hectic cosmopolitan life. At an age when most people are moving into nursing homes, Crisp has launched himself into life in New York.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Americans first met Crisp in the 1976 documentary based on his autobiography, The Naked Civil Servant. In 1979, proving his theory of the "survival of the glibbest," he began to tour America in his one-man show, An Evening with Quentin Crisp. In 1981 he became a resident alien living in New York. This audiobook is a journal of his life on Manhattan's Lower East Side. Told in his usual charming style by a man who says that "personality is the greatest power in the world," this work shows that Crisp can live beyond his income of dreams. Whether playing himself in Philadelphia or Elizabeth I in Orlando, Crisp does it with a style all his own, which is certain to charm most readers. Recommended for all libraries as Crisp proves quite successful at making new friends.?Theresa Connors, Arkansas Tech Univ., Russellville
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
Placidly whimsical observations by the ever-charming Crisp (Manners from Heaven, 1985, etc.) on his occasion-filled life as ``a free-loader, a dilettante, a butterfly on the wheel.'' Crisp writes reviews and essays, attends openings and parties, and entertains anyone who wishes to hear his opinions, from curious strangers to lecture-hall audiences. Here he tells us briefly about the books he read, plays and movies he attended, and other things he was invited to do from 1990 to 1994. These diaries, far from being especially intimate, are culled from a regular column he wrote for the New York Native. The 86-year-old author, an expatriate Briton, would have it that his urbane facade is all there is, that no unknown quirks of personality lurk beneath his flamboyantly gay, superhumanly gracious, and baroquely eloquent public persona. When a stranger calls him at his Manhattan rooming house to request a meeting, says Crisp, ``Whenever possible, I comply with his or her request on the principle that we should never say no to anything except an appeal for money.'' (He's listed in the phone book, so this happens rather often.) He acted as an extra in the film Philadelphia and played Queen Elizabeth I in Orlando, an experience he describes entirely as a war of endurance against his unwieldy costume. He made numerous trips around the country in order to give lectures and to promote a documentary about himself, Resident Alien; the author's pronouncements on the virtues of his adopted compatriots suggest that he is among the most generous-minded people alive. His wit is often mordant, which saves him from utter preciosity: ``I have always liked death, especially other people's death, but have recently been contemplating my own with a certain amount of relish.'' Admirers of the trademark Crisp style will be delighted, but it's difficult to fathom how he endures the relentless superficiality of much of his existence. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
There is a God, his name is Crisp, Quentin Crisp.,
By jimmirae@webtv.net (Pompano Beach, Florida) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Resident Alien (Hardcover)
Crisp has done it again! Just when you think you're a maven on things-BOOM- he publishes his diaries! What a scandal, although I am sure some blue nosed puritan proofreader somewhere omitted some of the more "Corrupting evidence", Mr. Crisps personality and always charming style and wit still manage to rise above the parchment at every turn. This is an ideal "Holiday" gift for a freind to take along when on a long flight or travel to make the time seem to "Fly by", as it did for me when I enjoyed it the first time...My Word!,...I think I shall go and read it again now. Mr. Crisp is timeless and indefatigable... and like "Miss Jean Brodie", still in his "Prime"time! Kudo's once again and, Bravo, Mr. Crisp, You are "La Divine'" indeed!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Always good.,
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This review is from: Resident Alien: The New York Diaries (Gay & Lesbian Studies) (Paperback)
You cannot help being interested in Mr Crisp. Very eccentric and funny and I agree with wanting to be as far away from the UK as possible.! Viva NY!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A treasure,
By
This review is from: Resident Alien: The New York Diaries (Penguin Audiobooks) (Audio Cassette)
If you have read the book with Mr. Crisps droll, flat voice in your head....you can begin to imagine how much fun the audio version of this book is. His dry wit is very much in evidence here as he shares his unique perspective on life in the "smile and nod racket".I think this recording belongs in the Smithsonian Archives.
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