NOTES OF A NUDE MODEL and other pieces

by Harriet Sohmers Zwerling

Part beat memoir, part third person story, Harriet Sohmers Zwerling recalls her life on the edge surrounded by writers and artists of the 50's & 60's. Introduction by Edward Field

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2003

Reviews

[Larry-bob Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of short memoir pieces written over the course of her life by Harriet Sohmers Zwerling. I was expecting Bohemian gossip, but actually it was more personal and evocative. Among her associates were Susan Sontag, María Irene Fornés, Edward Field, and Alfred Chester.

[Rahadyan]

A compelling memoir by a woman who has lived and loved well.

[RaeJeana]

I don’t foresee myself reading on for a single page longer. Odd fixation on black men

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was mentioned on Brainpickings. To be honest, I expected something different and more details on what it is like to live a bohemian life. I noticed later that that's part of Harriet's diaries Abroad: An Expatriate's Diaries 1950-1959 (which I will pick up next month when I can get the next Kindle Unlimited book).

The stories are very different. This woman surely doesn't fit into the world that I know - and who am I to judge her. The first half felt somehow distant and cold, which was in stark contrast to the enthusiastic foreword, but nevertheless interesting. A bit too much random sex and drugs. I liked the matured, self confident woman of the second half more where she acted like someone who understood what to expect from the world and choose what's best for her.

An amusing piece was the "Millennium Party" in which her 30 year old lover at the end asks about her age, not recognizing that they were almost 2 generations apart.

I am looking forward to the episodes in her diaries!