No city in the world has quite the exotic allure of Tangier. From the 17th century, it has been a city of refuge and excitements - a city where sex is cheap, drugs are plentiful, and a place where the outcasts of the world can breathe easily. The golden years of Tangier began after World War I and barely survived World War II. Among those who sought sanctuary or inspiration from the city were Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Ronnie Kray, the unhappy Woolworth heriress Barbara Hutton, Tennessee Williams, Joe Orton, Kenneth Halliwell, Cecil Beaton, Ned Rorem and Truman Capote.
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
From the Back Cover
No city in the world has quite the exotic allure of Tangier. From the seventeenth century, it has been a city on the edge, beyond the normal disciplines of government, a city of refuge and excitements where sex is cheap, drugs are plentiful, where the outcasts of the world can at last breathe freely.
Cecil Beaton, William Burroughs, Joe Orton, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Barbara Hutton, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Jane and Paul Bowles are just some of the famous residents and habitués of this legendary city. It is this 'last resort of the living dead, alive but not madly kicking' which Iain Finlayson explores in his witty and often savage book.
'A dream congealed in stone… sky supersonic, orgone blue, warm wind… Such beauty, but more than that it's like that the dream is breaking through.'
WILLIAM BURROUGHS
'Finlayson's crisp narrative which bubbles into metaphorical rhapsody. Charming… and as elegant a history of the city as you could find anywhere.'
MAREK KOHN, 'Independent'
'Not a suitable gift for that apocryphal maiden aunt… Finlayson writes so elegantly and scathingly about Tangier and its infidel Nazarenes… one suspects his name has already been struck off a good few Tangier guest-lists'
PHILIP HOARE, 'Sunday Times'
'Finlayson is a brilliant juggler of moods and vignettes'
JONATHAN KEATES, 'Observer'
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet on Amazon.co.uk.
5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3.0 out of 5 stars
1 review
3.0 out of 5 stars
There's more to Tangier than Paul Bowles.
9 Feb 2002
By Lonsdale.
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Finlayson writes well. He covers a lot of interesting people: Burroughs and Joe Orton to name a few. I thought Finalyson dwealt on Paul Bowles a little too much for my taste. He obviously knows more about Bowles than the rest; speaking of which I wish he had've included a chapter on Francis Bacon's time there, he is mentioned only twice and in passing. Finlayson concentrates his efforts, through Bowles on writers. Bacon's proclivities (this book deals mainly in salaious gossip) fit the books clear brief. Brion Gysin could have done with a chapter as well. Bowles comes across as a stuffy shirt, 'closet job' and in the end unfulfilled. Though Yacoubi's (Bowles' lover, though Finlayson's portrait is almost "in denial") adventure's with "majoun" are a riot! One almost feels sorry for Jane except she is painted like a twisted matron. Not a bad read though, well written and researched, bit of a romp really. For true Bowles-ophiles.
›
Go to Amazon.com to see the review
3.0 out of 5 stars
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
