The Naked Civil Servant (Penguin Classics) by Quentin Crisp
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Book Reviews of The Naked Civil Servant (Penguin Classics)
Book Review: What a hoot!
Summary: 5 Stars
By far, one of the funniest books I've ever read, and I read quite a bit. The writing is dry and witty, like Sedaris in ME TALK PRETTY or McCrae in BARK OF THE DOGWOOD, and Crip's insights into things are at once hysterical and also tinged with sadness. My favorite quote in the book? "My parents hated me chiefly because I was expensive." Or something along those lines.
Do yourself a favor and read this. Like CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES or NAKED this is one you'll want to keep on your bookshelves to pull out from time to time when you need a good laugh. Highly recommended.
Book Review: A rare and wonderful treat
Summary: 5 Stars
Written in what the author describes as his "Havisham twilight," Quentin Crisp set the literary world on it's head when he published this ribald memoir. A man of estimable spirit and courage, Crisp has documented his early life with great wit. By living openly and honestly despite the often negative consequences, Crisp was a pioneer in the gay rights movement. Perhaps this was not his intention at the time, but his willingness to share his life with us in this most enjoyable momoir, has served to embolden an entire generation.Book Review: I adored it
Summary: 5 Stars
It made me laugh and kept my attention. It is so sad that the hatred and violence that Quentin Crisp experienced years ago is still around today. I did feel lik I really knew the man after reading the book. He is very honest and very dry. A good read.Book Review: I've never read it.
Summary: 5 Stars
To be honest, i've never read this book or heard of it until yesterday. I heard Tim Burton was in talks of making it as his next movie. Being a major Burton fan I thought I would share my info.Book Review: Well written and witty
Summary: 3 Stars
Quentin Crisp tells the story of his life in this very well written and witty autobiography. There is much to admire here: the black wit and intelligent insights about life, culture and gender; the willingness to reveal some truly heartcrushing episodes he has experienced. It is a book which has "classic" written all over it. I suppose that people will be reading it two centuries from now. It also has a good deal which is not admirable. The main subject of the book is how Crisp endured some very atrocious persecution and even beatings because of his appearance. He dyed his long hair red and sometimes blue, wore makeup and eye shadow, allowed his long nails to grow to excessive lengths. He regularly appeared like this in in public in England from the 1930's on. Because of his outrageous (and voluntary) appearance and his essential indolence, it is difficult to undertsand why his life is to be seriously considered as a story about being persecuted for homosexuality (which he believes it was and presents as such) when it seems clear to me that he was being ostracized for flamboyant and egomaniacal exhibitionism. After all, Crisp freely chose to appear in public in his dramatic get up; at any time he could have thrown out his cosmetics and been much more accepted and better employed. Instead, he chose this daily martyrdom for decades. The result was a long life of rejection, poverty, loneliness and suffering. Beneath his self mocking wit, one sometimes detects a fierce rage at his lot in life. But he must have known that his choices would have the serious consequences that they did. Everyone told him so. Crisp comes across as an intelligent man totally lacking in common sense. After finishing this book, this reader wonders what the point of all this exhibitionism was. He could have spent his time on a more worthy cause than making the world safe for heavily made up and dyed eccentrics. At one point, Crisp justifies his appearance by stating "this is me." No it wasn't. Cosmetics do not make a person or the persons' character. They merely paint the shell. Still in all, this story is unusual enough and clever enough to be read by anyone looking for an enjoyable read.