Lo's Diary

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After much legal wrangling with Nabokov's estate, Pia Pera's Lo's Diary has found its way to America. Imagining the inner life of Nabokov's Lolita, Pera shows a good degree of irreverent audacity, something that is often missing in feminist "re-imagining" of the patriarchal past--historical or literary. While American Women's Studies classes teach us that Lolita is a victim, caught in a terrible net of adult desire, in this Italian writer's version, Lolita is a petty, self-centered girl who is driven by lust, boredom, the desire to be looked at constantly. She's also a skilled sadist, torturing animals, men, her mother. When Lo leaves for camp, she runs upstairs to hug poor, pathetic Humbert: "he holds me away to see me better, with a tragic-emotional look (he's always getting that look, because of the gutless poetry he studies), and I bring my lips close to his. End of film." While the publishers claim Pera is seeing Lolita through the lens of a "new feminist consciousness," it reads more like that of fashion magazines, soap operas, bitchy girl talk.

In order to avoid a copyright infringement lawsuit, Pero's American publisher agreed that Nabokov's son, Dmitri, could write a preface. And it is a scathing statement indeed, issued from the heights of literary snobbery. Nabokov writes condescendingly of "Pia Pera (henceforth PP), an Italian journalist and author of some stories that I have not read." He ends with this statement: "Whether [the book] draws well or badly from Lolita I leave for you to judge." In e-mail exchanges with The New York Times, Pera called the preface "a disappointingly dull emulation of his father's mastery of irony and, on occasion, virtuoso contempt."

Lo's Diary is no masterpiece, by any means. Its prose is flatly realistic, pulling Nabokov's wildly poeticized characters down into a sticky, unglamorous world where Humbert can't even figure out how the condom works. This is clearly Pera's mission--to vandalize the literary institution that is Lolita, and in this she has succeeded. Her novel is like cultural graffiti that won't wash off the walls for a while, for at least a month or two. --Emily White

Book Description

Now, in Pia Pera's controversial new book, Lolita speaks for herself in her own naked voice. Listening to her tale, readers enter a universe in which events, apparently the same as in Nabokov's novel, are radically different. Truths clash, collide, and ultimately diverge. Nabokov's Lolita is not Lolita's story, but her seducer's. The Lolita of that novel is a projection of Humbert's erotic imagination. Lo's Diary tells her story in her own voice, bringing into question the version told by her seducer in his account. Lo's Diary is an investigation into the myth that is Lolita. In Pia Pera's novel, Lolita uncovers her true self and tells us everything Humbert never told, never saw, and never imagined.

Customer Reviews:

Amusing read;.......2004-03-13

Lo's Diary is Lolita (Delores Haze's) side of the events that Humbert Humbert told in Lolita. Once again, John Ray is presented with a manuscript this time from the hands of the famed nymphet herself.

She tells Mr. Ray that some of the details of Lolita were just over-romanticized lies thought up by Humbert, but then she sort of recants and decides that maybe Humbert was so deluded he really thought those things happened. So, we learn the "true" story of what happened starting with Lolita's diary a few months before Humbert Humbert entered the picture.

I really, really disliked Humbert Humbert while reading Lolita, and I don't think I was supposed to like him. This book was quite a jewel since Lolita's assessment of Humbert coincides with they way I felt he really was in Lolita, a bumbling fool.

This wasn't written in the same style as Nabokov's Lolita. This is quite a bit more down-to-earth. You don't have to go through pages and pages of description about one minute detail. Lo just tells it like it is. Sometimes, Lolita seems a little too mature for her age, and sometimes she seems a little childish, just as she's presented in Lolita, though. I thought it was an amusing read.

Entertaining on one level, but mostly drek........2003-10-02

It's revoltingly unfaithful to Nabokov's original text.

The "real" names and so forth- Goatscreek, Dolores Maze, Gerry Sue Filthy- are hokey and rather unbelievable. The protagonist's diary, allegedly begun when she was about ten or eleven, is so far beyond precocious that it loses all its credibility.

Pera has decided, perhaps wisely, to keep it so deeply in Lo's focus that the entire affair with Humbert seems inconsequential; a nothing. I found myself squirming and skipping through the many esoteric bits of American pre-teen lore, instead looking for some scraps of story.

Oh, right- it has no ending. There is no conclusion, no closure. Even in a diary format, some kind of ending could have been scrounged up.

Alone, "Lo's Diary" might have been a very interesting and peculiar text. However, the only purpose it currently serves is to pervert the excellent original writings.

From The Horses Mouth.......2001-12-07

OK, I'm just going to tell you a brief summary and what I thought.

This books foreward tells the story of how the author of the book supposedly got the diary of Dolores Maze a.k.a Lolita Haze. The book itself is written as if narrated, not so much is tranditional diary form. I felt the language was a little too mature for Lolita who grows from 12-15 while "writing" this diary. Other than that it tells the story of her life with her mother "the hen" before and after Humbert. It discusses why she got involved with him, what kind of a man she REALLY felt he was, and also sheds a lot of light on what kind of a girl SHE really was!
I enjoyed this book a lot. It was like a roller coaster ride with a manic-depressive. It was not as well written as "Lolita" of course, however, I did find myself dying to know what she would do or say next. Some parts I had trouble handling. If you are an animal lover watch out for the hamster scene, and if you don't like foul language this book isn't for you. I found myself squirming a little when I read her descriptions of sexual acts. Nabokov was delicate with these descriptions, where Lolita's rough American rebel side shows through.
To wrap this up I'm just going to say I liked this book. My mom would kill me if she knew I read it but I liked it a lot. I felt like I was actually there where as with Humberts point of view I felt more like he was telling me about it. I enjoyed this more relaxed style of writing as well,it made it a fast and enjoyable read and you didn't find yourslef looking for Nabokovs clever word games. Try it out.

No shinola, Sherlock. Is *anyone* like VN?.......2001-11-15

Actually I shouldn't be surprised by all the broo-haha circling
over this book. It was bound to happen sooner or later and I don't think this was a badly done job. The complaints are either it's too smart for a 12 year old to write, or too dumb for a derivative of VN's caliber. Either way it doesn't matter. It's fiction. If you want reality read the diary of people living or having lived. This isn't it. If you want VN he has left plenty of work to enjoy. The louder you bash on something the more attraction you give it. In the literal sense of the word this book is very attractive.

This, of course, is not Nabokov writing, so it's going to be unlike his writing, which is, as many fans understand, marvelous. Pia Pera, though not as incredible, is marvelous in her own right and just that she had the guts to get this through to a wide audience is enough to give her a nod (or a raspberry if that's all you can accomplish). There's obviously something to it if it's gotten this far. But no it's not Nabokov, so leave it at that.

As for a twelve year old never being able to use language of this kind try reading The History Of Luminous Motion by Scott Bradfield and tell me if a ten year old boy could use language like that. Maybe if snobbish "grown-ups" would get off their high horses and stop laughing at young people who use big words they'd find out kids can be a great deal more intellegent than anyone gives them credit for. They can use language like this and do. So get over that (while remembering the definition of the word "fiction") and I'm sure you'll enjoy this book, if it's mere elements strike your fancy.

Awful.......2001-09-22

After breezing through Lolita, I was dying to hear Lolita's side of the story and picked up Lo's Diary. Needless to say, I shouldn't have bothered. It's slow moving, wordy and quite unexceptional.

The Friendship Notebook: A Personal Journal (Parchment Journal)

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The Friendship Notebook: A Personal Journal (Parchment Journal)
Running Press
Manufacturer: Running Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Stationery

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ASIN: 1561386316

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Lo's Diary
Pia Pera
Manufacturer: Foxrock
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J0P18W

Temples for Cahokia Lords: Preston Holder's 1955-1956 Excavations of Kunnemann Mound (Memoirs of the Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan)

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Temples for Cahokia Lords: Preston Holder's 1955-1956 Excavations of Kunnemann Mound (Memoirs of the Museum of Anthropology, University of Michigan)
Timothy R. Pauketat , John R. Bozell , and Sandra Dunavan
Manufacturer: Museum of Anthropology University of Michigan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Very Poor and of a Lo Make: The Journal of Abner Sanger

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The Journal of Abner Sanger

Very Poor and of a Lo Make: The Journal of Abner Sanger
Abner Sanger
Manufacturer: Peter Randall Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews:

The Journal of Abner Sanger.......2004-10-19

This is one of the best New England day-to-day journals I have found. Weather; crops; gossip; war news. Abner was a keen observer of village life.

Lo que por ahí se cuenta de nosotros. (diario de un periodista)(TT: What they're saying about us) (TA: a journalist's diary): An article from: Epoca

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Lo que por ahí se cuenta de nosotros. (diario de un periodista)(TT: What they're saying about us) (TA: a journalist's diary): An article from: Epoca
Fernando Sánchez Dragó
Manufacturer: Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097SBZK
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Epoca, published by Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA) on December 22, 1997. The length of the article is 1067 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Lo que por ahí se cuenta de nosotros. (diario de un periodista)(TT: What they're saying about us) (TA: a journalist's diary)
Author: Fernando Sánchez Dragó
Publication: Epoca (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 1997
Publisher: Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA)
Issue: n669 Page: p116(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Cuando lo que Dios hace no tiene sentido

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Excelente si estás pasando por puebas
Respetuoso y majestuoso!

Cuando lo que Dios hace no tiene sentido
James C. Dobson
Manufacturer: Spanish House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Calendar

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Su Mejor Vida Ahora/Your Best Life Now: Siete Pasos Para Vivir A Su Maximo Potencial
Cuando a la gente buena le pasan cosas malas
Su Mejor Vida , Su Mejor Vida Ahora: Diario De Oracion Y Reflexion
Como Criar a Los Varones: Consejos Practicos Y Aliento Para Aquellos Que Estan Formando a LA Proxima Generacion De Hombres
Atrévete a Disciplinar (Nueva Edición)

ASIN: 0789904853

Customer Reviews:

Excelente si estás pasando por puebas.......2000-06-23

Este libro es excelente para poder mirar "hacia arriba" cuando las pruebas te tiran para abajo. Te ayuda a ver la voluntad de Dios en medio del sufrimiento y del dolor. Muy interesante el concepto de la barrerar de la traición. Cuando parece que Dios no te escucha, puede ser de bendición este libro

Respetuoso y majestuoso!.......1998-08-24

Este libro es uno de esos extranos libros que resultan de una verdadera relacion entre el escritor y Dios. Es un viaje respetuoso y humilde en la infinita mente de Dios buscando la respuesta a esas consistentes y eternas preguntas que conciernen el triste fin de la raza humana y su posible redencion a traves de la confianza en Dios. Es fantastico.

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Diario (Lo studiolo)
Francesco Maria Della Rovere
Manufacturer: QuattroVenti
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 8839201149

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Promise Box-PS God Lo

Manufacturer: Honor Books (OK)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0005228492

Customer Reviews:

Confusing? Not really. Great? Definitely!.......2006-07-29

This is a great story. The only real problem is that DC decided to call this collection "Superman" Our Worlds At War. By making it a Superman book, they chose to collect only the issues that feature him or Supergirl, Superboy, Wonder Dog. Since this was originally a story that crossed over into all kinds of DC comics, not every issue was reprinted here. Which is fine being that Superman IS that main character in the story and all that's important is in here.

So what might seem confusing to some, is really a great story of awesome proportions.

A good story that's worth your time.......2005-01-09

Every so often, it seems the DC bigshots decide to scale up the traditional superhero battles between good and evil. Usually, this involves a sort of "mega villan" where every superhero, their cousin, the army, and their arch nemesis have to pitch in to avoid universal destruction. As Doctor Evil would say, pretty standard really. This is basically a in continuity version of Crisis on Infine Earths (which is great as well). Our Worlds at War part I & II continue this fine tradition of throwing out a huge, evil pinyata for our heroes, and villians, to wail on.

The two books are loaded with great action, but there are some very good character moments as well. Superman has to overcome his doubt and uncertainty in the wake of his (supposed) parents death. Surpisingly, some of the best moments are between Supes and his long time enemy Lex Luthor. While they still hate each other's guts, both men realise they have to set aside not only their rivalry, but their preceptions of each other to save the world. They actually have to *trust* each other and work together as a *real* team. The two might still hate each other by book's end, but you get the feeling they understand each other better. Lets just say by the end of the story, Superman gets mad, REALLY mad. People who value their lives should learn not to do that. Kudos to the team for bringing back a lot of interesting supporting characters back into the limelight. World War II veteran Frank Rock and telepathic British badass Manchester Black both make cameo appearences (with a pretty important impact on the war's strategy).

I find it a little silly people criticise these books because they're "rip offs" and "unorigional". Hello? The entire history of comic books is ripping off other people's work. The only good ideas are the ones you steal. These trade paper backs lose a star for not including the JSA issue of Our World's At War (which is a pretty important part of the plot) and for some inconsistency in the art work. Overall though, if you want to see some old fashion superhero smackdown, you really can't go wrong with Our Worlds At War.

Skip this...you won't miss a thing.......2004-10-15

Let me start off by saying that I am a big-fan of a lot of the writers involved in this project, i.e. Jeph Loeb, Joe Kelly. Individually, these guys have produced some of the most memorable super-hero stories of the last few years. But this massive cross-over leaves a lot to be desired, especially a cross-over so heavily advertised and touted as "Will shatter the DC Heroes forever".

A lot of the reviewers are right when they say that the story makes no sense. The readers are basically bombarded with cast of characters, slug-fest after slug-fest after slug-fest, massive casualties and a vain attempt at being emotional. The story basically revolves around Imperix probes landing on Earth and for some cliched reasons wants to destroy Earth. Of course Superman, the JLA and every major DC heroes are going to try and stop them. There is one battle after another...people die (Aquaman, Steel, Wonder Woman's Mom, The Kents etc.) There is also a Supergirl story thrown in there for no reason...and the story is pretty bad. The idea however had a lot of potential but the pacing and the particular focus of different writers drag it downhill. A better story is created out of the aftermath of Our Worlds at War, which is JLA: The Obisidian Age (see my review).

Superman also teams up with Darkseid to stop Imperix but the nature of their relationship escapes me...one moment they are advicing each other and the next moment, Darkseid is beating on Superman to get him to wear a suit?!

The art is pretty bad also. I never was a big fan of manga and Ed. McG mostly draws manga. There are other artists whose work is sub-par. The best of the lost being Doug Mahnke.

My advice is to skip over this arc. It is pointless, confusing and you'll soon wish for a refund (anybody want to buy mine?). Trust me when I say you won't miss a thing. This money is better spent on JLA: Trial by Fire or JLA: Obisidian Age.

what a mess.......2004-10-13

what a mess...really i sat down with this and barely understood a single thing that was going on...does aquaman die, for real?? wonder woman to?? is steel dead?? whats doomsday doing here...whys there a random supergirl story (with awful art) chucked in there...why is superman fighting with darkseid one moment and then with him the next...whys zod there...whos the random ghost girl luthor keeps seeing...

non of this makes sense...

not the way to do crossovers at all

the best work ive seen done with superman in recent years has been on JLA by grant morrison...buy some of that

avoid this unless you enjoy being confused to the high heavens

A bit disjointed.......2003-08-11

Despite what many say this is not a horrible story. In fact, the plot itself is quite good. The problem is that it was written by seven different writers, each doing thier own chunks of the storyline. They all do a fine job, but the end result is a disjointed narrative. If this had been a mini series written and drawn by one creative team(like Crisis on Infinite earths) it would be a classic. As it is, it was not and is just a fun, but mindless and ulitimately forgettable romp.

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But I'm Your Teacher

HEAVY in the Yaoi Department

But I'm Your...Sub (*evil smiley*)

Interesting

Re-readable

But I'm Your Teacher
Yoshino Somei
Manufacturer: Media Blasters
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1586558056

Book Description

Unable to find a full time teaching job, Yahiro eventually lands a temporary position and an all-boys college. On the very first day of class, his student, Koga, confesses his love to Yahiro. How will Yahiro handle his much younger suitor?

Customer Reviews:

But I'm Your Teacher.......2007-10-05

This book is well written and if you like boys love stories you should pick this one up. I give it a great review as it has several great storie in it. and I have read it over again several times.Great buy and a Must read book.

HEAVY in the Yaoi Department.......2007-04-10

As my title stats, this is a heavy yaoi manga, just short of henti. If you are at ALL squemish about bedroom scenes, then do not get this manga. However, if you like short yaoi stories that have this, that and more, then this is the manga for you!

But I'm Your...Sub (*evil smiley*).......2007-03-09

I love teacher/student stories, as long as they are portrayed well. Technically, the teacher is a sub and most of the story is set after he taught at that school, but this is a cute read ^-^

Interesting.......2007-03-08

The boys are pretty.
The stories are steamy.
What more can I say?

Re-readable.......2007-01-04

I have re-read this book quite a few times. (for the story of course) I thought the art style was very pretty, and the plot wich was pretty much centered around the relationship between the two main characters was still involved in an interesting way. Not to mention the oneshots afterwards. Yoshino Somei writes up a very good oneshot, they were all interesting enough for me to want to read over and over again and wonder after I'm done about how things turned out with the couples involved.

Help! I'm a Sunday School Teacher!: Fifty Ways to Make Your Sunday School Come Alive

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Help! I'm a Sunday School Teacher!: Fifty Ways to Make Your Sunday School Come Alive

Manufacturer: Youth Specialties
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0910125163

"Uh-oh, I'm being observed!" Tips for easing the jitters and putting your best foot forward. (teaching demonstration): An article from: Instructor (1990)

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"Uh-oh, I'm being observed!" Tips for easing the jitters and putting your best foot forward. (teaching demonstration): An article from: Instructor (1990)
Donna Clovis
Manufacturer: Scholastic, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097J5D2
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Instructor (1990), published by Scholastic, Inc. on January 1, 1998. The length of the article is 713 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: A tips on how teachers can overcome anxiety during teaching demonstrations are presented. These include bearing in mind that the demonstration is an assessment process to provide feedback, preparing the objective of the lesson to be presented, planning appropriate activities, asking the colleagues for suggestions, meeting the administrator in advance, establishing composure, being flexible in the demonstration, getting a good night's sleep, eating properly and keeping in mind the strengths in teaching.

Citation Details
Title: "Uh-oh, I'm being observed!" Tips for easing the jitters and putting your best foot forward. (teaching demonstration)
Author: Donna Clovis
Publication: Instructor (1990) (Magazine/Journal)
Date: January 1, 1998
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Volume: v107 Issue: n5 Page: p74(2)

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Hawk, I'm your brother: Teacher's resource (Literacy & values)

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Hawk, I'm your brother: Teacher's resource (Literacy & values)
Anne Slater
Manufacturer: Voices of Love and Freedom
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

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ASIN: 0789128047

The Confessions of Aleister Crowley : An Autobiography
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Great read, over and over

Wicked Uncle Al Does It Again!

A Great Read About a Great Beast-- But Don't Stop Here

An "autohagiography" from an ignored but important person...

Best on the Market

The Confessions of Aleister Crowley : An Autobiography
Aleister Crowley
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book of Lies

ASIN: 0140191895

Customer Reviews:

Great read, over and over.......2005-05-18

Before I read this book (years ago - it was at a bookstore in the clearance section for $4.95!), Aleister Crowley seemed pure myth. He was but a cryptic, faceless personality surrounded by what I'd later find out to be gross misrepresentation and ignorance - which, incidentally, I fell for, hook, line and sinker.

But upon reading his 'autohagiography,' the man was finally fleshed out and rendered human. And what a colorful and fascinating character! Hardly the evil scumbag people considered (and occasionally STILL consider) him to be. I found that he harbored views and opinions similar to my own about mob psychology and the like, and he had a way of expressing his thoughts, feelings and views which was nothing short of amazing. This is one of the most quotable books in the world, I feel. Crowley doesn't mince words, and he has a wonderful command of the English language (among other languages).

His accounts of mountain climbing and world travels are fascinating. His magical experiences are equally so. He approaches these subjects with great wisdom - often tinged with a priceless sardonic humor (which is what I appreciate most about the book). Crowley was a great wit.

I find that I can open this book to any page at random and start reading - and every time I'm hooked.

I have breezed through this review, so it isn't as incisive as I originally planned it to be. But the above is how I feel in a nutshell. If you are at all interested in this man, this book is a must. I recommend it very highly.

Wicked Uncle Al Does It Again!.......2005-03-26

I found the Confessions to be inspiring, irritating, tragic, and hilariously funny. Love him or hate him; Crowley was a unique individual whose accomplishments are not to be underestimated.
I was not bothered by the lack of magickal writing: after all, the book was never intended to be a textbook on magick. Besides, I have no interest in practicing magick.
Apart from Crowley's racism and misogynism (he was, after all, a 19th century Britishman. He couldn't help it), he had a remarkably progressive and universal view. He did the best that he could.
I delighted in the lessons that his strengths, weaknesses, virtues, flaws, follies and triumphs. One thing that he was was honest. Despite the possibility that he may have embellished the truth at times, he did so leaving the reader with the oportunity to see through him. He held himself and others to very exacting standards.
At times I found myself laughing out loud at many of his anecdotes. They were my favorite parts of the book; especially when he was presenting himself as either the fool or "The Wickedest Man in the World": with his tounge planted firmly in his cheek.
A good read. One of my favorite books.

A Great Read About a Great Beast-- But Don't Stop Here.......2004-11-09

Crowley's autohagiography is fascinating from start to finish: he was the supreme egotist in all things and a master manipulator of weaker souls (of which there was a limitless supply). So, read and enjoy, but ask yourself: did he really turn Victor Neuberg into a camel? Could he become invisible as he claimed? Did he copy down a book dictated to him by an Egyptian god? You get to decide whether he's a reliable source....

After you read this, you'll want a more objective view of the life of this remarkable man, and for that I'd turn to either John Symond's "The Geat Beast" (fair but credulous) or the much more recent "Do What Thou Wilt" by Lawrence Sutin-- an excellent, open-minded, reasonably skeptical look at Crowley's life and works. No matter what you decide about Crowley (genius, prankster, or madman), these are all entertaining and worthwhile books.

But begin with this one, straight from the magus' mouth.

An "autohagiography" from an ignored but important person..........2004-07-23

Aleister Crowley is perhaps one of the most interesting characters in all of world history. He attempted to synthesize the techniques of Western occultism, Eastern mysticism, and modern scientific thought into a workable system he liked to call "Magick." All the time he was trying to do this, he was hounded by people who branded him a charlatan, a Satanist, and "the wickedest man in the world." Even the famed Russian mystic George Gurdjieff, who was controversial himself, cursed Crowley's name after they met. Crowley's flawed character is very interesting to look at, especially from his own perspective, and this is why "The Confessions of Aleister Crowley" is such a great book.

My psychology professor loaned me his copy of this book, after we got into a discussion about Crowley one day. The case of my professor demonstrates how much Crowley is ignored, as his copy of "The Confessions" had sat on his bookshelf for years unnoticed. It was only when I mentioned Crowley and my professor read over the book that he understood my fascination with Crowley. Unfortunately, I was unable to finish the book, due both to time constraints and the fact that the book is rather boring in the middle, when Crowley begins to talk about his mountaineering adventures. I can, however, tell you my general impressions of the book, and Crowley, after what I have read of the book and several other books on The Great Beast.

Crowley's style is very lucid and descriptive, but readers without a dictionary should be warned; Crowley's vocabulary is immense and multi-lingual. Crowley makes some rather astute observations about the course of his life and his actions in the book, and he is able to psychoanalyze many of the people who one way or another became involved with his life, but this book, and his whole life, in fact, show one fatal flaw: a lack of self-analysis. Crowley's egotism contributed greatly to some of the errors he made. For instance, in reference to his feud with several members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, he accuses many of them of having been jealous of him, going so far as to say that the great poet Yeats hated Crowley because Crowley was the superior poet. Any look at Crowley's poetry will prove this claim to be laughable, although Crowley did occasionally write wonderful poetry.

Crowley has long been ignored in Western society, although many of his ideas have influenced the course of the 20th century. Hopefully with the success of Wicca and occultism in general right now, Crowley will attain the position of great sage and artist in the larger world someday, as well as serving as a warning to all those who would tread his path. In closing, the reader of this book should bring with him an open-mind, intelligence, and a sense of humor (for Crowley's sense of humor is one of his often ignored qualities). With these qualities, he should be able to understand Crowley and learn from his ideas.

Best on the Market.......2004-06-20

This is by far the best Aleister Crowley biography on the mass market because the other books are biased and not very good. This one, however is straight from the author and he has nothing to hide, not even his sexuality as he admits he liked both sexes. His childhood was the most interesting part. The son of a brewer from a strict Christian sect that he rebelled against and inherited a small fortune is a key element in the book. He also details his many mountain climbing expeditions and was one of the best in the world. I also really liked the parts on his ascension to the head of the Golden Dawn, eventually having a falling out with Mathers and being expelled for moral depravity. If you were wondering if cats had 9 lives, Crowley details how he tortured a cat to see if it did. This part reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's The Black Cat. Like I said, avoid the countless biased biographies from others. Those are the books his detractors like and are cheesey. An essential look at one of the biggest bad asses in world history.

The Confessions of Aleister Crowley : An Autobiography

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The Confessions of Aleister Crowley : An Autobiography
Aleister Crowley John Symonds Kenneth Grant
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ3DX8

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THE CONFESSIONS OF ALEISTER CROWLEY: An Autobiography
Aleister; Symonds, John & Grant, Kenneth (eds.) Crowley
Manufacturer: Routledge & Kegan Paul
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MWC1TO

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Confessions of Aleister Crowley: An Autobiography
Aleister; Symonds, John; Grant, Kenneth Crowley
Manufacturer: Arkana
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000KY6618

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