Rebel With a Pen: The Poetry of James Dean

by James Dean, Carlton J.H. Hayes

The poetry and drawings of film legend James Dean.The first and only publication of the newly discovered poems of James Dean written in the 5 years preceding his tragic death. Revelatory of his personal demons, his fear, his obsessions, his sexual yearnings. Quite explicit in content and language. This is a work of fiction and any similarities to the actions of the writer, the editor, persons mentioned or characters to real people, places or events is unintended and coincidental. The original poems are in the possession of Carlton Hayes and were directly obtained and channeled through him from James Dean. Mr. Hayes makes no comment to what the relationship was and is between Mr. Dean and himself

Genres: Poetry

43 pages, Paperback

First published June 16, 2008

About the author

James Dean was an American actor. He is remembered for his celebrated films, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), in which he starred as troubled teenager Jim Stark. The other two roles that defined his stardom were loner Cal Trask in East of Eden (1955) and surly ranch hand Jett Rink in Giant (1956).

Librarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Lanae · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a huge James Dean fan, so I try to read everything I find with his name on it. I'm sure if we actually had a book of poetry and his doodles it'd be brilliant. This is not that. Save your money and buy an actual book on James Dean if you're into him or a print of one of the photos of him. Or even go buy poetry by someone who doesn't have to stoop to just throwing James Dean's name on their book because they can't sell their work any other way.

[☆Angel☆ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book before I began reading the poetry. I bought it thinking that these poems were written by James Dean. However, that doesn't seem to be the case. It appears as if this Carlton Hayes wants us to believe that he is the vessel, used by James Dean, to write poems. That opinion is based on these two quotations from the front of the book:

1) "The original poems are in the possession of Carlton Hayes and were directly obtained and channeled through him from James Dean."

2) (This one is from the author's comments) "I look at the pillow where once you lay your head and see a shadow only on the wall above the bed and let you speak your sad lines to me that I might write them down for all to know that you still live deep within me..."

I might have liked this a little more if I thought James Dean had actually penned these poems, although I'm not sure. It even says "with original illustrations by the poet" on the cover...so the drawings must have also been done by Mr. Hayes. I don't like being deceived into buying a book. I love James Dean, but I don't recommend this book unless you don't mind that fact that this is not his work.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is not the works of James Dean. Spare yourself the money and the disappointment.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a huge Jimmy fan of over 20 years,I find this book to be a cheap outrage.Just another attempt to make a buck off Jimmy and falsely at that.There is not the slightest bit of proof or documentation that anything in this book was written or drawn by Jimmy.Zada.
The book claims these poems and drawings have been in the possession of a male lover of JD since the 50s but when you try to research the author nothing comes up about him.Sketchy as all get out.Sadly,almost everyone who knew Jimmy is gone.I feel if his friends were still around they would speak out against this book.If you care anything for Jimmy or even have a sincere interest in him,stay away from this utter falsehood.

[Annaka · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly all you need to know is this just talks about gay sex and isn’t actually written by James Dean.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much anger and pain in these poems. A sad,lost young man who sees himself as someone who is never good enough, always being used by those around him, unsure of himself and his purpose for this life. My heart broke as I read some of these poems, you could just feel the pain and rebellion building.
The pictures drawn by James Dean are primitive but poignant. You can see his poems through those pictures.
This book was good, but I would not recommend for younger readers due to vulgarity, and topics of the poems.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Dean was a very complex character, and we really see this in this book. The poetry really gives you a look into what he was feeling, and what was going on around him. Some you can even tell in which period in his life he wrote that poem. It's a short book, but it's actually pretty good.

[Shannon Arputharaj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved. It. His poems are filled with teenager angst and that's probably why it appealed to me. He doesn't use complex metaphors or sophisticated rhetoric, but his ideas are promising and analyzable and his diction is strong and provoking. Also James Deans
is amazing. So yeah.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, I wasn't much for it. I just felt like the people who sold it just stuck Jimmy's name on it. But having re-read it when I got bored, I realised just how great this was. It was so funny and the little illustrations in it were brilliant.