Eric H. (ehines) reviewed A fascinating character on 8/22/2008 + 29 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Vidal has often been a bit too theatrical in his self-presentation--he can't help it seems than to push things a little too far (I'm thinking his later political writings, but you might also think of his tiff with Bill Buckley), and this makes many people take him less seriously than he really deserves to be treated.

This is the first part of his memoirs and it is really good (far better than the second half). Good writing on being "gay" (Vidal thinks everyone's on a sliding scale sexually, so he doesn't appreciate absolutist sexual identities) and being privileged (but not rich) in the WWII and postwar era.

Lots of interesting people pass through, but Vidal's not just namedropping.

And of course lots of interesting (and disputable) observations about Washington and American politics.

One of the best books of its kind that I've ever read.

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