Post by Mrs Vindecco on Jul 29, 2012 19:31:20 GMT
For any reader wanting to read this book, emphasis should be placed on the word Bildungsroman. There are several mentions of Peter but, these are personal reflections and therefore subjective- you may agree with some, you may not. This book is more of a story about a girl growing up in America suburbia of the 1970's, and for someone growing up in a Scottish suburbia of the 1990's it's makes an interesting read. Many things I can identify with, a few I cannot. When the author writes of listening to Peter on a set of headphones in the middle of the night, so as to not alert anyone else in the house to her enjoyment of her idol, I couldn't help smile with recognition. Though I have to point out, in those days, I wasn't watching Peter... but I still very much recognosed this situation.
I couldn't help but compare The Peter Lorre Companion with Susie Boyt often adulated, My Judy Garland Life, but where the latter fills the pages with her Judy worship and her celebrity connections (she was the grand daughter of Freud and her father Lucien once met Garland, plus she gets to interview people friends and family of JG) mean she has a unique opportunity to get close to her idol, The Peter Lorre Companion is down to earth and more for someone that's holds a candle to the least obvious of stars and how that love fits into their ordinary, very recognisable life. This is the book for anyone who has had a secret passion, that doesn't need to fill a room full of posters because they feel a different infinity for that person. In some respects I felt reading this book is about being a fan in a bygone age. With the development of the internet, are there many girls feeling different because they adore a slightly different man? With a few Google searches, you can find some fans for anyone, and while I revel in that, this book reminded me of the old days and I can't help but miss them.
The book is available to buy on Amazon.
