"Went home lonely and despondent because nobody loves me and it's Easter, and I cried." [4-17-81] When I reached that line in the diaries, I think I truly fell in love with Andy. He was a total observer of life and pierced a depth of feeling in his aloneness. He seemed to be a walking nerve and picked up every nuance of life and all the personalities surrounding him.
His observations about people were uncanny - and he was like a prophet in many ways, even at one point predicting his own death! He knew things about people that they probably didn't know about themselves.
For instance his glib comment after the death of Elvis Presley in 1977, "They're saying that the article Caroline Kennedy did on the Elvis funeral for Rolling Stone made fun of the local people, but I can understand that--Caroline's really intelligent and the people down there really were dumb. Elvis never knew there were more interesting people" [8-30-77] - honing in on exactly what killed Elvis!
Or when he mentioned Michael Jackson's penchant for young boys - and that was 1984!
His diaries are so revealing and so easy to read and he really makes us understand all the modes of the counterculture that revolved around his life - the music, the artists, the movie stars... and how self-absorbed they all were. And how caught up in drugs and drink some of them became.
Although Andy was obviously anorexic and somewhat alcoholic (he hated to drink yet it seemed he drank almost every day) he was constantly trying to improve himself and he wrestled with his physical self and all his insecurities every day of his life. Yet he was of strong mind and his beliefs were never swayed. And he wasn't afraid to make his feelings and opinions known. Yet his life was always overshadowed by his fear of death and disease. And he was insecure about his looks, yet managed to start a modeling career in his early '50s!
He was such a 'cat'! "There was a party at the Statue of Liberty, but I'd already read publicity of me going to it so I felt it was done already." [7-5-83] He invented his own language and way of communicating, which was very colourful and made every moment interesting. His diaries are a sensual feast; he lived life to its fullest and was able to describe all the flavors of the food and drink, the odors and scents of people and places, in such a way that the reader feels as though he/she is reliving it all.
What impressed me most about Andy was his great discipline and ability to admit to his own shortcomings. He got up every day and went to work like it was a nine-to-five job, went to church every Sunday, and stayed in tune with all that was going on in the world around him. If Andy were alive today, he'd love the Internet, e-mail and cell phones. For he was a man about the world, truly in love with life and all that it has to offer.
I just wished the diaries included an index.
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I really enjoyed it! As an Outsider Artist
This book really gives an insight into the Pop Culture world of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. I really enjoyed it!As an Outsider Artist, I find these personal stories fascinating!
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Alexander
The book arrived in immaculate condition
Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2022José Luis Gómez
Excelente compra
Reviewed in Mexico on August 6, 2020
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Ant
Fabulous Book & very smooth purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014