Few days ago i walk until « jack’s hotel » 19 rue Stephen Pichon 75013 Paris. I lived 40 years in that district, And do not know that Jean Genet died in my neighborhood , in 1986 i was 8 years old, playing in my room or sleeping while Jean Genet died at 500m of my home.
I was finishing « M train » at le parc de Choisy , near the hôtel , near la Place d’Italie , And you finish the book with thé story of the 3 stones, And you write in your book that information that Jean genet died near Place d’Italie , thanks to you now for know where he died.i finished the book And walk till thé hôtel , thinking about you and Jean Genet.I would like to send you the picture i have made. Kind record from Paris Patti.
Patti! I love the Edmund White stories & I esp appreciate learning of the Robert connection. Speaking of Robert, have you heard Renee Fleming’s Vissi d’arte? If not, perhaps you can check it out. I will be curious to know. If I wrote a book, you’d probably be in my list of credits, too! Here’s link to listen: https://youtube.com/watch?v=0Jiy5oUiAfE&si=iuV3BZcB4nPO_qGK
I just wanted to tell you that I listened to you reading M Train on the long flight home from London to San Francisco yesterday. Hearing your voice wash over me in my half-awake state was just what I needed. I especially loved the chapter on Berlin and London, your story of finding yourself next to Robbie Coltrane beside the elevator during your "break between Detective Frost and Whitechapel," how you told him "I've been waiting for you all week," and he replied "Here I am."
While I was in London, my husband, son, and I caught a play for 15 GBP at the Hampstead Theatre. After a long walk in the cold rain, we arrived, took our seats, and a man sat down directly in front of me. He turned and began talking with my seatmate, a gregarious fellow from Cardiff whose brother starred in the play, and who'd just been telling me how much he loved Scotch eggs and M&S microwave meals. Later, as we exited the theatre, the man who'd sat in front of us was standing there with two friends. It was Michael Fassbender, Academy Award nominee, whom I'd recently watched in the spy thriller Black Bag.
As you say in your essay, London has a fairy tale quality. Always something in the fog or
around the bend or beside the elevator...
But also, your story about Robbie Coltrane made me think about how many people (like the lady with the red crocodile bag, or the kids on the street on New Year's Eve), are standing right next to you, talking with you, and have no idea it's you.
Oh, wow, does this bring back forgotten memories. In the late 60s, I played the part of Solange in Genet´s The Maids. In an long list of being the worst at too many things, I have no remembrance of the play or lines, only that I wore a see-through nightgown and the furniture I sat on and moved around was hunky guys acting as seats and dressing tables!
Few days ago i walk until « jack’s hotel » 19 rue Stephen Pichon 75013 Paris. I lived 40 years in that district, And do not know that Jean Genet died in my neighborhood , in 1986 i was 8 years old, playing in my room or sleeping while Jean Genet died at 500m of my home.
I was finishing « M train » at le parc de Choisy , near the hôtel , near la Place d’Italie , And you finish the book with thé story of the 3 stones, And you write in your book that information that Jean genet died near Place d’Italie , thanks to you now for know where he died.i finished the book And walk till thé hôtel , thinking about you and Jean Genet.I would like to send you the picture i have made. Kind record from Paris Patti.
Great song, great guy!
Great pictures, words. We so enjoy your talk story here. Blessings. 🩵
I have Edmund White's biography of Jean Genet. I'm sorry to hear that he passed away. Thank you for remembering him.
Thank you Patti. Great photos! XO
thank you for that... Proust... yes... I have a Proust altar too in my library... I will get this Genet... wow.
Patti! I love the Edmund White stories & I esp appreciate learning of the Robert connection. Speaking of Robert, have you heard Renee Fleming’s Vissi d’arte? If not, perhaps you can check it out. I will be curious to know. If I wrote a book, you’d probably be in my list of credits, too! Here’s link to listen: https://youtube.com/watch?v=0Jiy5oUiAfE&si=iuV3BZcB4nPO_qGK
🕺🏻
So much admiration for the thoughts and stories you share, thank you!
What an amazing life Genet had, thanks for the direction.
I just wanted to tell you that I listened to you reading M Train on the long flight home from London to San Francisco yesterday. Hearing your voice wash over me in my half-awake state was just what I needed. I especially loved the chapter on Berlin and London, your story of finding yourself next to Robbie Coltrane beside the elevator during your "break between Detective Frost and Whitechapel," how you told him "I've been waiting for you all week," and he replied "Here I am."
While I was in London, my husband, son, and I caught a play for 15 GBP at the Hampstead Theatre. After a long walk in the cold rain, we arrived, took our seats, and a man sat down directly in front of me. He turned and began talking with my seatmate, a gregarious fellow from Cardiff whose brother starred in the play, and who'd just been telling me how much he loved Scotch eggs and M&S microwave meals. Later, as we exited the theatre, the man who'd sat in front of us was standing there with two friends. It was Michael Fassbender, Academy Award nominee, whom I'd recently watched in the spy thriller Black Bag.
As you say in your essay, London has a fairy tale quality. Always something in the fog or
around the bend or beside the elevator...
But also, your story about Robbie Coltrane made me think about how many people (like the lady with the red crocodile bag, or the kids on the street on New Year's Eve), are standing right next to you, talking with you, and have no idea it's you.
READ Derek Walcott's Poem - LOVE after love^^
PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER!!!
Patti, your astute observations and social commentary are outstanding.
Patti, you always share such generous gifts. Thank you for this one. It made a rainy Monday seem sunny.
Oh, wow, does this bring back forgotten memories. In the late 60s, I played the part of Solange in Genet´s The Maids. In an long list of being the worst at too many things, I have no remembrance of the play or lines, only that I wore a see-through nightgown and the furniture I sat on and moved around was hunky guys acting as seats and dressing tables!
https://bsky.app/profile/johnpavlovitz.bsky.social/post/3lr5bi3p6os2t