i love the way your eye, it doth shine like an egyptian ruby
On the flip side of Bebe Buell's arrogant and pretentious memoir is "Dandelion" by Catherine James.
Catherine James has infinite class, beauty that radiates from within, writing talent and a fascinating life story. I've always been interested in people who suffered horrible child abuse but managed to take something horrific and turn their lives into something beautiful. There are a number of wellknown people who I feel are brilliant and talented, but their greatest work of art was their lives...Ken Kesey is definitely in that category, and I would count Catherine James among them.
When she was 15, inspired by her friendship with Bob Dylan, she finally broke free of her abusive mother and restrictive state ward and ran away to New York City. There, she nearly immediately fell in with Andy Warhol's Factory and it wasn't long before she was being romanced by Jimmy Page, Jackson Browne and, yes, Mick Jagger.
More mature than "I'm With the Band" (though that book is amazing), and unspeakably more modest than "Rebel Heart", "Dandelion: Memoirs of a Free Spirit" is a simply phenomenal book. Anyone with an interesting in rock'n'roll', the 1960's, the 1970's, modelling or even family dynamics would find it riveting.
After reading her book, Catherine James has become one of my personal idols. She is a truly remarkable human being and thinking about the class, dignity and elegance with which she has handled her life is beyond inspirational.
What a woman and what a book...
19 comments:
okay as always, i am curious to check this out. you have the best recommendations.
oh and unrelated. did you hear that george clinton is going to be on the reality show "gone country"? i totally thought of you when i read that, haha.
Ahhh...all these books that I can't read here! And do canadians threaten to move to europe? I'm loving Obama too. And I never knew she was w/ Mick? You learn something every day, I guess.
I loved this book too. But I also really enjoyed Bebe's book. I especially liked her parts in Please Kill Me.
I bet her book would have been better if she had written it by herself- not with that Victor guy. His books are all a bit arrogant.
Catherine's book was written so well.
All these girls have a similar look.
i can't wait to read it :)
Oh I got an 'error' when I tried to post a comment raaa so I might be repeating myself, but:
I've always wanted to read this book but I've never been able to find it here in Australia :( I must extend my search across the seas!
It sounds so fascinating though! Thank you for sharing :D
I'll be looking for it. In the annals of McGill's ginormous library system, I found the one well-pawed, well-worn, traveled and loved copy of Electric Kool-Aid Acid test and intend on spending Sunday morning in bed eating chocolate and rereading it. I can't wait.
It sounds like a great book.
Thanks for the advice! I'm really interested in groupies or band aid girls' life :)
I want to read this right now! and, wow, what a beautiful cover...
Wow, my list of books to check out is growing larger and larger.. I want to read "Rebel Heart", and I think "Dandelion" would make a pretty good contrast. I'm asking for it for Xmas ^^
Very cool. She sounds like she's lived an interesting life. I'll definitely have to check out that book. Thanks for recommending it to us. Have a great weekend.
ya, totally agreed. these are such beautiful photos too xx
Oh now I wanna read it so bad, great post!
C.
I love those kinds of books, it shows you what you can transform your life into!
I will definitely look into this book, it sounds great and refreshing.. I am interested in everything that involves the factory, band aids and plus I love the name of the book.
xo xo
gorgeous photos. i will have to look into that book.
she does sound pretty awesome
I am starting to think I should read more that kind of books.
juliet xxx
oh! this will def go on my christmas wish list! :)
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