The Body Shop: Parties, Pills, and Pumping Iron -- Or, My Life in the Age of Muscle

by Paul Solotaroff

In a matter of months, he grew from a dorky beanpole into a hulking behemoth, showing off his rock hard muscles first on the streets of New York City and then alongside his colorful gym-rat friends in strip clubs and in the homes of the gotham elite. It was a swinging time, when "Would you like to dance?" turned into "Your place or mine?" and the guys with the muscles had all the ladies -- until their bodies, like Solotaroff''s, completely shut down.

But this isn't the gloom-and-doom addiction one might expect -- Solotaroff looks back at even his lowest points with a wicked sense of humor, and he sends up the disco era and its excess with all the kaleidoscopic detail of Boogie Nights or Saturday Night Fever .

Written with candor and sarcasm, The Body Shop is a memoir with all the elements of great fiction and dazzlingly displays Paul Solotaroff's celebrated writing talent.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 8, 2010

About the author

Paul Solotaroff is a contributing editor at Men's Journal and Rolling Stone. He has written features for Vanity Fair, GQ, Vogue, and the New York Times Magazine, and he was nominated for a National Magazine Award in 2004. His work has been included in Best American Sports Writing. The author of two books, Group and The House of Purple Hearts, he lives in New York City.

"Like" The Body Shop on Facebook

Reviews

[Julie Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog: http://jewelknits.blogspot.com/2010/0...

I have a rather testy relationship with memoirs. Most I find to be either a flagrant lapse into "other-blame" (my mom was horrible to me; thereby I did coke) or a dry recounting of events that don't feel as though they actually happened to ANYone. Other times, the "self-promotion" factor becomes too much for me - I feel that if you're really THAT great, you don't have to toot your own horn - others will do it for you.

So why read a memoir about a weight-lifting, steroid-shooting hulk of a guy that I have nothing in common with? I read other good reviews ... I'm still trying to get over my love/hate relationship with memoirs, and I figured, "why not?"

For the first few pages, I asked myself, "why", as I plunged right into the middle of a scene with no prelude and a dizzying march of events. Then I got past that first section.

This is an extremely well-written account of a dorky, bookish Jewish guy from Prospect Park stumbling into a college just to do "something", seeing an Apollo of a dorm-mate who offered to show him how to bench, and finding out that simply pumping iron wasn't enough to get him the kind of body that would get the girls.

Another lifter introduces him to 'roids, and the bulk starts to pile on. His taste in steroid cocktails is further refined when he meets Angel, a caramel god who carries a boatload of cash and has girls falling all over themselves to get to him.

We are participants in a spiral and can easily see how slippery a slope it becomes once you allow yourself to be caught up in the false glam and admiration that money and muscles get you. Especially when your father has been both physically and seemingly emotionally absent, and you have a mother that could have used the benefit of today's illuminating grasp of the nature of bipolar disorder.

I've never been a hormonally-addled, skinny Jewish kid who girls never take a second look at, but the writing in this book makes even ME see how that kid felt.

Is it a guy book? Definitely, BUT it also gives us women insight into the male psyche that we might be lacking. After reading this, we might just understand what happened with that 'first, crazy love' that went off the rails. If you are a parent, it might help you understand the kind of thinking that makes your young adult veer off the rails, no matter how well-raised.

Would I recommend it? Yes; I definitely would.

QUOTES:

As a kid long used to the quirks of his own company, I never fully grasped how the experience of reading Dickens was enhanced by playing "Free Bird" at jet-plane volume, or how a nap before dinner was much facilitated by the clangor of Molly Hatchet. As near as I could figure, the purpose of such behavior was to prevent anyone else from doing his work, such that all grades would suffer and flatten the curve, raising a C-minus paper to a C plus.

It's hard when you've had so little of it in life, to place much stock in joy: the giving, and getting, of route-going pleasure and a sudden, home sense of connection. But you wake up one morning with a woman lying next to you who, even in the dishevelment of sleep and sweat, causes your heart to hump, and you lay back down and, for the first time ever, think those tall words I'm happy.

,,,cocaine plus steroids equals crazy. Not goofy ha-ha-crazy or Syd-Barett-on-acid crazy, but crazy as in fight four cops barehanded - a black-diamond run to deep dementia.

Book Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Sensitive Reader: Although there are few GRAPHIC sexual scenes contained in the book, there are rather vivid descriptions of debauchery and sexual content that might disturb you.

[Bookventures Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I went into this book with some preconceived notions about it. One look at the over confirmed a few of them but I was also afraid that the book was going to be overly macho for me to enjoy it. Boy was I wrong! Ideally, The Body Shop can be described as a look into the male psyche in the late 1970’s. Research (and also detailed analysis in the book) suggests that this was the age of the body builders; spawned by Arnold Schwarzenegger, when men strutted around with huge biceps and abs that you could watch water ripple off of. Image meant everything (and still does) and a thirst for recognition meant that you were covering up some hideous, unloved and most times neglected part of your childhood. It is under these circumstances that we are introduced to Paul and his years as a lifter and a juicer.

The Body Shop is a memoir that often reads like a dramady with colorful characters, complicated situations and some truly comedic dialogue. I guess you can hardly call it a laughing matter when one finds them self using illegal drugs and dancing for a living but Paul brings across these passages in his life without shame or regret. I could tell that they were stepping stones towards figuring out who he really was. Yet still, you can’t help but laugh out loud or gasp at the kind of situations that Paul finds himself in or the people he meets along the way.

Interestingly enough, Paul is a literature major and this really showed in the book. Though at times he was a bit sarcastic (which probably is a Paul thing) he was able to vividly recreate the mood and the machismo culture that pervaded the late 1970’s. His work in establishing the characters such as Angel, Tommy and Spiro is also commendable. I enjoyed getting to know them and watching their individual stories come to life.

Hinged to the story is Paul’s strained relationship with his parents in particular his father (sadly this is the case with all of the main characters). Though there is still love between them I could tell that they had quite a few unresolved issues. Paul attempts to resolve this closer to the end of the book but after their experiences together; I couldn’t help but wonder how their relationship is currently. On a lighter note it was pretty cool learning about Paul’s dad being a professional reviewer and editor. I got a glimpse into the world that we book bloggers dabble in as a past time. The unpredictability of the job and the incessant writer’s block that sometimes attacked him seemed all too familiar.

All and all, don’t let the macho nature of this book put you off. You’d be missing a really good story if you do.

[Evie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won my copy of The Body Shop from goodreads, and when the notification hit my email, I was pretty excited to have won a free book. Little did I know at the time that what was coming to me in the mail was actually a really good read!

I picked up the book and had a pretty tough time putting it down. I took it to work and read it during breaks and even nibbled paragraphs of it during lulls in conversation with my house guests. I finished it over the course of two days, because, well I just couldn't help it.

Paul Solotaroff is a shy, awkward, isolated guy coming of age when he discovers body building during his first year of college in the 1970s. From his first reps at the gym to his introduction to 'roid culture to the lascivious double life he finds himself leading and the ultimate break down of his body consuming cocktails from coke to qualuudes, this memoir is sexy, smart, and sordid from the highest high to rock bottom. This book definitely has the "Boogie Nights" feel to it.

As I do with all books that are in new condition that I think I would read again, I'm going to donate my copy to my local library so that others can share it as well. Thanks, first reads!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely the best-written addiction memoir I've read (so the better one, of two, then). Solotaroff manages to make his sordid little tale entertaining despite its deep undercurrent of sadness and loss. Several times his humor and light touch left me unprepared for an emotional sucker punch; that conflict between mature self-deprecation and still-raw pain is Solotaroff's strength.

[Bridget]

I got this book because the description sounded like something I would enjoy. I was completely shocked by how interesting this memoir is. It almost reads like fiction in some parts and Paul is a master with words.

[Mystee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is available here: http://amomentwithmystee.blogspot.com...

[Marianne MacRae · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the prose here are eloquent and interesting, the story as a whole is a disgraceful journey through a very distinct brand of masculinity. I get that things were different 40 years ago, but still, who stands by and watches while his friend rapes a woman? If the stories here are true, and I do question whether they are (the remembered dialogue is extensive and often leads the story too neatly), then the author ought to be ashamed of the fact he didn't do anything to stop the rampage of a very dangerous psychopath that he called a friend.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book works on many levels, the classic charles atlas course comic ad, the thing that made a man out of Mac, a sad sack who gets his ass kicked on the beach in front of his girl by a bully and the girl ditches him for being a "little boy." but Mac works out and kicks the bully's ass. but saltaroff goes deeper, neglected as a boy he needed direction from a too buys father. its a also a cautionary tale of a using steroids, how he screwed chicks by the dozens, while he had a girlfriend, but after those years were over he had a lifetime of mental and health problems. my only problem is three quarters of the way thru i thought he'd have this cartharsis and put it all behind him but it was hardly the case. another thing was a hint of the humble brag, poor me i was all roided out and confused and having sex with all these women and hanging out with hip friends and partying etc. finally salataroff meets his destiny, he's a born writer not muscle head/dancer and its a hell of a book.
d

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solotaroff excels at sharing gripping stories of '70's debauchery and eminating the presence of characters like Angel and himself who recklessly sought to be larger than life (through steroids and blow). He's also apt in expressing the epiphanies that can happen in lifting weights and in life, while disclosing his incessant feelings of vulnerability which frequently bottomed him out several time througout his life. While he does provide some ace period detail like bringing up Ron Blomberg of the Yankees and state school dorm culture, he does not connnect his experience into the larger Pumping Iron fitness culture that was burgeoning at that time with prime movers Arnold and Lou Ferrigno (who I kept visualizing as young manchild Paul). The main determent is the jagged writing which does not make for flowing reading, but perhaps a honest fit in expressing a life experience so intermittent and fluctuating.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul grew up with a workaholic father, a strange mother and two stepmothers. When he went off to college in 1976, he was insecure, socially awkward, inexperienced, tall and gangly. He wanted to be the strong, man of muscle that women ogled and men respected. To become that man, Paul turned to drugs.

I had a very difficult time starting this book because it's so different from what I normally read and the point of view was very male. It's a mix of slang and heavy vocabulary with some Jewish (I think) terms thrown in. Some examples are: perlous, jejune, sozzled and schvartze. It was tough to read at first, but I think it works and adds character to the book.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. The author was frank and didn't sugar coat. I appreciated his ability to poke fun at himself and others.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

While at times it was difficult to absorb the Studio 54-esq scenes, Paul Solotaroff's accounting of his foray into chemical muscle building was a great read and a real eye opener. Hearing the reasons some of these young men had for entering the dark and make-it-up as you go world of 'roids, I have a greater understanding. Paul's anxiety as he saw his body shrink in, not just days but hours, makes you see his body dysmorphia in the same way an anorexic sees her body and what she feels she must do to control it.

Even though this is written in such an aggressive style, as befits the subject matter, I truly like this book and would recommend it. Female readers especially, just keep reading - you will enjoy this book!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to say a compelling story, beautifully written, but I'm afraid it might lead the more sensitive types to pick this up. It is compelling and is the writing makes you feel like you were there, BUT, it is also full of profanity, sex and illegal drugs. Paul Solotaroff chronicles his change from wimpy, studious Jewish kid to beefcake stripper in just a few short months with the help of weight lifting "mentors" who introduce him to steroids and the fast lane. You know it's a train wreck waiting to happen, but you still root for Paul to come out of it intact.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sex, Drugs, and Working Out! This is a really well written memoir, extremely readable and entertaining despite the misery that Solotaroff is enduring for the sake of his juiced up physique. By the end of the novel I felt a little bit worn out by the narcissism and self involvement that characterized Solotaroff's search for manhood but his sense of humor keeps you reading. The language is crass and the clothes sound ridiculous. New Yorkers may enjoy the repeated insults to the people and culture of Long Island.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solotaroff is self-deprecating and wry as he documents his nightmare journey into steroid use in the 70s. He also abused drugs and alcohol and dancing (seriously). The stories are hair-raising and all too human, the writing is very good though it does descend into the purple on occasion. Some of the passages about how the author reacted to the pure animal joy of weightlifting certainly resonated with me. The parts that were more alien, about being a genetically non-muscular adolescent male, were quite interesting. Very readable.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this wonderful book as a First Reads winner. Had no idea what I was in for!! Having lived through the 70's and its machismo/modelbeauty world, I can now see what chaos was rendered to those who thought that THE BODY was the route to attaining nirvana. Hopefully, those who read and take the lessons of this book to heart will understand that THE BODY soon fails even the most astute caretaker but spritual enlightment lives on forever!

[Francine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand when writers are told to "write how you speak," but I couldn't understand this guy. It was sleazy though. I didn't finish it. I only picked it up because it caught my eye with the steroids, drugs, sex and disco blurb.

[Sanjiv · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a real page turner for me. It was an interesting story and very well written. I have dabbled in strength training and have given serious consideration to performance enhancing drugs. Also as a shy kid, the coming of age tale struck me as well.

[Jeanpaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I have read on my Nook Color. So far so good.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a great 70's flashback.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. So brutally honest,it is Solotaroff's conscious closet-cleaning. If you are also fascinated by people who risk it all, enjoy it, then pay the price, this is a your book.