Chelsea Girls
Back of the Book
In this breathtakingly inventive autobiographical novel, Eileen Myles transforms life into a work of art. Told in her audacious voice, made vivid and immediate in her lyrical language, Chelsea Girls cobbles together memories of Myles' 1960s Catholic upbringing with an alcoholic father, her volatile adolescence, her unabashed "lesbianity," and her riotous pursuit of survival as a poet in 1970s New York.
Suffused with alcohol, drugs, and sex; evocative in its depictions of the hardscrabble realities of a young artist's life; and poignant with stories of love, humor, and discovery, Chelsea Girls is a funny, cool, and intimate account of a writer's education, and a modern chronicle of how a young female writer shrugged off the chains of a rigid cultural identity meant to define her.
We Love It Because
Overflowing with both intimacy and linguistic intricacies, Myles reveals the elements of her life that make up her realities and past. With fleshed out stories and bursts of poetry, Chelsea Girls is a compelling document that challenges the notions of how people document their lived experiences. Eileen demonstrates how to transform matted memories into thoughtful, enchanting, and exhilarating storytelling.
Memorable Passage
Poet has always meant to me saint or hero, the dancing character on the stained-glass window of my soul, the hand lifting slowly through time, the whirr that records my material against strong light, gosh, why I live. It’s the channel this ex-catholic took when getting down on her knees didn’t keep anyone alive, or help the dead stay dead. I was a devout child, but my prayers were ritualistic insurance, and a real list of dead people-God, take care of grandma, grandpa-it because so long it was unfeasible, by about the age eleven , or twelve, so I began to keep a diary and sat under the light of the hall stairs and recorded what I ate that day, and who I thought hated me, and who I loved, and how I won. The poem got born in jobs, when I realized I wouldn’t win, wasn’t in fact, even present. So I began to take up residence in my poems, saw my life as a loser’s, hence poetic.
About the Author
Eileen Myles, born in 1949, is an American poet, writer, and performer whose unapologetic and candid voice has made a lasting impact on contemporary literature. Known for their influential works such as the autobiographical novel Chelsea Girls and poetry collections like I Must Be Living Twice, Myles has consistently challenged conventions, blurring the lines between autobiography and fiction while addressing themes of identity, gender, and desire. Their writing often explores the nuances of queer experience, offering a unique perspective that resonates with a diverse audience. Beyond poetry and novels, Myles has ventured into essays and art criticism, showcasing a versatility that reflects a dynamic engagement with the cultural and political landscapes. A trailblazer in LGBTQ literature, Eileen Myles is worth knowing for their fearless exploration of personal and collective narratives, their impact on contemporary literature, and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of language and expression.
Recommended By