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Rating: 
Summary: What it is To Be a Superstar
Review: A madcap race through the sixties, and a must for those who are into pre and post stonewall sixties, and all of the mayhem that was involved. This is one of the best additions to gay and lesbian history, because for once it gives credit due to one of the first trans-gender actors in cinema history (Andy Warhol's Trash). Holly gives us the gift of what it was like living amongst all of the glitter and the headlines of the pop culture decades...being picked up (as a homeless person) from your squat in a limo only to have lunch with Diana Vreeland (an event Holly once told me about when interviewed) shows that all it takes is the right shade of lip colour and some chiffon and off you go! Holly was the third in the trinity of Warhol girlettes that paved the way for RuPaul, Lady Bunny, and even you and I to be able to live our lives, and to be free. One will want to grab a cocktail, and share in Holly's memoirs of her race, to beat the sandman as she went from one life inspiring moment, to a piece of queer history. Thanks Holly, for sharing with us!
Rating:
Summary: "Pack your panties. You're out on bail."
Review: Be prepared for a wild roller coaster ride through the world of Holly Woodlawn when you read the autobiography, "A Low Life in High Heels." Holly Woodlawn--whose real name--once upon a time was--Harold Ajenberg--was one of the last stars of the Warhol factory and the inspiration for Lou Reed's song--A Walk On the Wild Side. Holly longed to be female, famous and fabulous more than anything else. The fact that she was born a male didn't stop her in the least, and she lived successfully as a female during the 60s and beyond. She starred in a number of films including "Trash," "Broken Goddess," "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers," "Women in Revolt" and worked on and off in various nightclub acts. Holly Woodlawn tells her gossipy story against the backdrop of the wild 60s. Holly covers the moon landing, Kennedy's assassination, and the Stonewall Riots while telling tales of the nightlife in Max's Kansas City nightclub. Holly is a flagrant namedropper, and expect glimpses of Cliff Robertson, Bianca Jagger, Rudolf Nureyev, Bowie, Divine, and Blondie within these action-packed pages. I loved every minute of this book. Every line is delivered with a great sense of humour, and Holly doesn't shy away from laughing at her own overly dramatic behaviour at the break-up of every great love affair. She exhibits a wisecracking style of humour that is simply irrepressible. For example, at one point, she tells the reader "you know how hippies can be--they're worse than bugs. You let a few slide in, and before you know it, the whole house is infested with them." Holly does not spare herself in these pages either, and therein lies some of the charm. At one point, Holly finds herself living as a male with a female (for a change), and fellow drag queen, Estelle, warns Holly "this'll never work. Heed these words, she's going to start wearing your jewelry." Holly dishes the dirt about the Warhol factory, regales us with stories of many colourful NY drag queens, and also recounts the friendships she enjoyed with fellow drag queens Candy Darling, and Jackie Curtis. Frankly, I was amazed that Holly survived to tell the tale. And always the shadow of AIDS reminds one that grim times were ahead. This book really gave me a taste of the 60s--in New York, and a sense of the Warhol factory. "A Low Life in High Heels" was an edible, unforgettable read, and I'll remember it for years to come--displacedhuman
Rating:
Summary: "Pack your panties. You're out on bail."
Review: Be prepared for a wild roller coaster ride through the world of Holly Woodlawn when you read the autobiography, "A Low Life in High Heels." Holly Woodlawn--whose real name--once upon a time was--Harold Ajenberg--was one of the last stars of the Warhol factory and the inspiration for Lou Reed's song--A Walk On the Wild Side. Holly longed to be female, famous and fabulous more than anything else. The fact that she was born a male didn't stop her in the least, and she lived successfully as a female during the 60s and beyond. She starred in a number of films including "Trash," "Broken Goddess," "Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers," "Women in Revolt" and worked on and off in various nightclub acts. Holly Woodlawn tells her gossipy story against the backdrop of the wild 60s. Holly covers the moon landing, Kennedy's assassination, and the Stonewall Riots while telling tales of the nightlife in Max's Kansas City nightclub. Holly is a flagrant namedropper, and expect glimpses of Cliff Robertson, Bianca Jagger, Rudolf Nureyev, Bowie, Divine, and Blondie within these action-packed pages. I loved every minute of this book. Every line is delivered with a great sense of humour, and Holly doesn't shy away from laughing at her own overly dramatic behaviour at the break-up of every great love affair. She exhibits a wisecracking style of humour that is simply irrepressible. For example, at one point, she tells the reader "you know how hippies can be--they're worse than bugs. You let a few slide in, and before you know it, the whole house is infested with them." Holly does not spare herself in these pages either, and therein lies some of the charm. At one point, Holly finds herself living as a male with a female (for a change), and fellow drag queen, Estelle, warns Holly "this'll never work. Heed these words, she's going to start wearing your jewelry." Holly dishes the dirt about the Warhol factory, regales us with stories of many colourful NY drag queens, and also recounts the friendships she enjoyed with fellow drag queens Candy Darling, and Jackie Curtis. Frankly, I was amazed that Holly survived to tell the tale. And always the shadow of AIDS reminds one that grim times were ahead. This book really gave me a taste of the 60s--in New York, and a sense of the Warhol factory. "A Low Life in High Heels" was an edible, unforgettable read, and I'll remember it for years to come--displacedhuman
Rating:
Summary: A hilarious roller-coaster ride thru a mixed up life!
Review: I loved its candid, campy humor, madcap adventures, and sixties rebelliousness. Very stimulating reading! Fun!! Holly's adventures are priceless. It was great fun living the journey... Brian
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