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Susannah's Spring, Summer Reading List, 2020
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A Writer Brought Back To Life
His journalism career spans 40 years at the New York Post, Daily News, the Village Voice and New York Newsday earning him the name, the Tabloid Poet.
My heart is full writing this, very elated that my Elvis, my Lancelot of verse, has yet to leave the building.
This entry was posted in alcohol, Books, creative writing, Culture, History, humanity, media, New York City, Politics, war, words, writing and tagged great writers, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/style/pete-hamill-brooklyn-book.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share, Pete Hamill, Robert Kennedy. Bookmark the permalink.
Nothing like writing a good promo about one impacting as a personal Elvis.
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I just love him Frank. If I could only write like him. He’s such an inspiration to me. ❤️
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What a lovely tribute to a writer you admire.
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It’s tanking since, clearly, few have any interest but, I wrote it anyway. Thanks for reading it 🙂
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Why do you say that?
And I don’t see why you wouldn’t write about someone you admire… which, by the way, in doing so, has introduced me to him. That article you included was quite interesting as well. I may just have to add yet another book recommended by you to my mile-high pile!
Thanks for writing it.
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Reading is personal, so I try to not be pushy, but that article elated me so, because I really thought he was maybe, not with it anymore. What worried was, when Bobby Kennedy’s daughter’s book, Ripples of Hope, about her dad came out, they were all tributes from his friends and admirers, and Pete wasn’t among them. Thurston Clarke penned the intro and believe me, if Pete were able, it would have been him. They were so close. He’s the one who convinced him to run for president by writing him a letter that has now become iconic. When I read the Times piece it sounded as if, during that time, was when he was pretty unwell, BUT HE’S BACK…HE AIN’T DONE YET. 🙂
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Funny how those things happen, really. Wonder why he was omitted? For all we know, he refused – health or other reason. Or maybe she resented him for convincing her dad to run. People are weird.
But, as you said, you have a new book to look forward to coz HE AIN’T DONE YET!
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That’s a good point. He was the only one left who knew him. Jimmy Breslin and Jack Newfield who wrote an amazing book on RFK, are both gone. But you’re right, we don’t know the particulars 🙂
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We don’t and like I said, people can be funny about things…
All that to say that I love your enthusiasm for people who get you fired up.
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There’s an expression I like…to aspire to inspire. Pete, Anne Lamott, Vonnegut, Austen, Hemingway here and there. Prose that lifts you up. I was thinking just now about Patti Smith’s M Train. You’d like that I think. A fairly short, spare memoir that’s written so beautifully. She lost her husband too left with two young kids. It’s a poignant, tender, inspirational tale.
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That’s a great expression. So many books, so little time…
Thanks for the suggestion – will add 🙂
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We can make end tables with our books. 🙂
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We can! I am sitting in front of three overflowing bookcases…
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My ex did that with his art books and it didn’t look half bad, of course he was nutty and kind of went with the rest of him. sigh
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Hah! Actually, it’s not that bad… I have one bookshelf that is only recipe books, one that is filled with classics and books I love and one that is partially filled with books, partially with things
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When I see someone has books, it tells me a lot about them even before I peruse their spines, as it were. Books are like character references.
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I do the same! My sister reads 10 times more than i.but there is not a book in sight in her house, other than the one she is reading… I don’t understand. And this same sister tells me I have too many. What? Bite your tongue, lady!
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I try not to buy them as often, and belonging to this illustrious old time library I pay for, allows me to slim my shelves, but I still love the occasional purchase usually for something I’d read again. Like M Train. Bought that when it came out. That’s a great read. sigh
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Oh, I have stopped (mostly) buying books and the ones I do buy, I get in electronic version – so not the same as holding a book but for the sake of space and, let’s face it, money, it’s better for me. I just wish I didn’t live in such a French neighbourhood. The English section of the library is beyond puny.
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Here you can go to any public library as long as you have a card. Maybe it’s different there. As long as you keep reading. That’s what matters.
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Different towns, different cards… but that’s ok. I won’t ever stop reading.
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That makes too of us. 👍
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I can feel your admiration for Pete Hamill. It is rare to have someone express such respect and I am very happy for Pete. (Maybe a bit jealous too) This is an excellent tribute, Susannah. By the way. I have spent many memorable hours in PJ Clarks and was warmed by the mention.
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It’s still there in all its glory. I go once in a while for a shrimp cocktail just to pay homage to its history. They still have the back room where Sinatra would hole up with his pals. Love knowing that. I appreciate you reading it and yes, to be happy for Pete. 🙂
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I hope to get back there someday. The backroom was my favorite.
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New York changes at the speed of light so it’s really great to be able to step back in time. It looks like a little jewel box perched on that corner since 1884. Impressive. 🙂
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I agree.😊
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Issac Asimov was always the one I truly wanted to meet. He brought me into the Sci-fi I absolutely adore and it isn’t written anymore. There are good pieces, certainly, but nothing that kept me on the ropes like Asimov did and even his non-fiction was so great. 400+ books…I have about 50, but truly wanted to meet him before he died.
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Well, it’s nice to know he’s still being spoken of. That’s what every writer hopes for.
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He has a post-humous writing club that continues for him. Perhaps, not quite as good, but who knows – there may be a next Issac Asimov in the shadows.
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Writers influence other writers. There’s this invisible chord that links us all. I believe that.
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So do I. I look at all the writers I follow in here, all the writers I have read and admired, and all those who wish to be writers.
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Nicely phrased Scott. Your writer is showing. 🙂
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Thank you very much.
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My pleasure.
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The last book of his I read was Forever. I’ve not read A Drinking Life yet.
Love the love you have for this man.
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You’d like his nonfiction I’ll bet. He’s vivid when he writes. It’s a trompe l’oeil, in print. Of course, not everyone liked Elvis who was a special cup of tea.
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You get all aflutter when you speak of this, which is plenty good enough for me to check it out.
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Aflutter….to move with a light, trembling motion. Ah yes. 🙂
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When a writer is passionate about something, it’s like hitting oil.
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Yes, this is true Mr. Imma.
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Oh, the joy one feels when a favorite writer gifts us with another reading experience. I’m hoping M.C. Beaton will give us another Hamish McBeth. She was penning one or two each year and now it has been two years. And I still grieve at the loss of Sue Grafton and her fabulous talent.
I bet Pete Hamill was not only flattered, but thoroughly impressed that a lovely model (who are never supposed to have brains) knew his writings inside and out.
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I do remember, though tooling through his 70s at the time, he still had it goin’ on. He was so manly. I was sputtering alright, at being that close to him, and he basked like any neighborhood guy who may have been happily married, but whose flirt muscle could make a quick cameo down from the shelf, next to his books. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this, Susannah. I haven’t heard of him before. That’s quite a tribute to him, you wrote. Thanks for linking the NYT article too.
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Are you sure I’ve never mentioned Pete? Yes, he’s a hero alright. A National Treasure as far as I’m concerned.
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