Overview

A sequel to the author's critically acclaimed Delphinium title, One of These Things First, The Greta Garbo Home for Wayward Boys and Girls is a poison-pen, love letter to the end of an era-Manhattan during the decadent, late 1970s. Picking up where he left off at the end of his widely praised debut memoir, One of These Things First, Gaines recounts his hilarious, sometimes poignant attempt to forge a writing career and a successful love life in the gay world of the 1970s. He has limited success until he falls in love with an older woman dying of cancer. Meanwhile, he serendipitously begins a career as a writer when he meets a former child evangelist, and with nave chutzpah, manages to land a book deal that leads to a whirlwind career as a biographer, rock and roll columnist, and roman clef novelist who writes a book with a Studio 54 bartender that brings the world down around them. From inside the entertainment business in New York and L.A. to inside the publishing world, Gaines narrates a life of escapades and adventures and searching for love in all the wrong places. After hitting rock bottom, he writes a book about the Beatles that ends up on the New York Times bestseller list, leading to popular esteem and a feeling of momentary redemption.

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9781953002426

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Reviews

“A gossipy, raunchy memoir. . .Sex looms large in lively episodic chapters as Gaines recounts the gritty ambience of New York in the 1970s. At Max’s Kansas City, the Factory, and Studio 54, he cavorted with characters that led to his unlikely—and ultimately successful—career as a writer.” —Kirkus Reviews

"Praise for One of These Things First: ""One of These Things First is...an absolute treasure."" -- New York Times Book Review ""An extraordinary book. Incredibly moving and beautifully written."" -- Jay McInerney ""A candid, entertaining memoir.... A spirited narrative of a hard-won coming-of-age."" -- Kirkus Review ""Humane and generous.... Shocking, funny, and sometimes shockingly funny. A real treasure."" -- Boston Globe ""A real gem."" -- Newsday"

Author Information

Steven Gaines is the bestselling author of Philistines at the Hedgerow: Passion and Property in the Hamptons, among many other books. A former NPR radio host, Mr. Gaines is the co-founder and past vice-chairman of the Hamptons International Film Festival. He has lived in Wainscott, a small hamlet on the East End of Long Island, for 40 years.

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