That was wonderful. I was introduced to Selby's work in 1985 when I worked at a NYC coffee shop called Miss Brook's. A regular customer named Arie gave me a copy of "Last Exit to Brooklyn." He'd known him at one time and he told me that Selby was the only writer he knew that didn't constantly talk about himself or his work. "When Last Exit came out we were all surprised. We didn't even know he was writing a book."
My mom had a worn out copy of ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’ in her book collection when I was a youngster growing up in San Bernardino. I was getting sent back to Brooklyn NY, where I was born in 1963, for my first ‘visit’ in 1972 since my mother escaped a bad scene in Brooklyn right after I was born. I asked her about the book, she said it was written by a guy who hung out sometimes at the King’s Inn, a bar she frequented that she seemed to remember its regulars fondly, Selby being one that had impressed her with his talent, so much so that she had kept the book. I read it before the trip, to kinda prepare for the place I had originated, but I had never seen, a place that seemed to contradict everything about the desert heat of the valley of smoke I now called home. I think the book prepared me well enough, I remember using it as my reference for Brooklyn past as I experienced it for the first time that week the dog days of late August in 72. She told me Selby was dead when I asked her what happened to him, said he was barely alive the last time she saw him in Brooklyn. Years later I learned she was wrong, I read a piece written by Henry Rollins speaking his praises & watched his books get made into films. I ended up in the rooms at my first 3rd & Gardner meeting right after he passed, I listened to folks he had helped & been a guiding light toward a better life speak his praises with tear filled eyes. So you could say I had several relationships over the years with the ever shifting idea of Selby as many things & I have definitely felt closer to that abstract ideal from the way you have presented him. Many thanks.
Maybe start with Last Exit & Requiem For A Dream. (Requiem is also an amazing movie by Darren Aronofsky, which I believe got the longest standing ovation in Cannes history. Ellen Burstyn will tear your heart out).
After those two, if you’re still standing, read The Room….
One of the rare occasions when the movie actually did great justice to the book. Maybe because the director had the wisdom and humility to encourage Cibby's input throughout its making. He even had a classic cameo --which I won't spoil herr for those who haven't seen it yet.
I had no idea what he was like! These books were indeed beautiful, but so painful to read all those years ago. I will have to reread them with him in mind now!
Right? He gave you an almost direct gift didn't he. I never really thought of the two of you like that, but once you see it, you cannot unsee it. He was the coolest. I remember thinking of him in his little house like a broken monk, with one goal or task, that being the writing.
But his one task - if you could have asked - was not just writing. It was sharing his experience to help other people get through whatever hell they were going through.
I think Selby was as close to a saint as we’re ever going to meet.
I think the amazing part is that Selby was one of a lot of amazing humans I have been lucky enough to be around. I spend time on these sorts of websites, and I feel like an outlier based on ideas, and based on life experiences. But, thinking about Selby reminds me that there is a path to stand on.
I am 54 now, started 'writing as practice' at the end of 6th grade. And it has allowed so many great things. But, in the last ten years that monastic thing has rung loudly. Whether it be my hardcore brothers in NYC and the Krishna temple, or some of the hip hop folks chasing yoga and that 5% life...there is something in the chasing of the art for real.
Thanks for this back and forth J, have a great week.
Beautiful. "By loving the monster you kept both of you human. Whatever the monster is capable of, you are capable of too." Thank you, Jerry. I'm going to sit with this for a while.
Jack Kerouac was a bit of a socialist/libertarian, before alcohol got him. Bukowski's slow--though he "was quite a duker"-- fists, and sore mailman arms, shoulders
I read Last Exit To Brooklyn, in the Psych Unit at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. It was winter 2001 and I have been clean and sober ever since. Thank you for this amazing piece on Cubby and a look into you!
Jerry, thanks for posting these pieces! I work as a substance abuse counselor at a maximum security prison and I have been sharing PM with some really amazing clients
That was wonderful. I was introduced to Selby's work in 1985 when I worked at a NYC coffee shop called Miss Brook's. A regular customer named Arie gave me a copy of "Last Exit to Brooklyn." He'd known him at one time and he told me that Selby was the only writer he knew that didn't constantly talk about himself or his work. "When Last Exit came out we were all surprised. We didn't even know he was writing a book."
What a fantastic story! That sounds like him.
That sounds about right. One of the most selfless people in the world -let alone the most selfless writer.
Cubby was the Man! Now it's up to you, me, and the Man in the Moon to carry on. Much respek, brother!!
My mom had a worn out copy of ‘Last Exit to Brooklyn’ in her book collection when I was a youngster growing up in San Bernardino. I was getting sent back to Brooklyn NY, where I was born in 1963, for my first ‘visit’ in 1972 since my mother escaped a bad scene in Brooklyn right after I was born. I asked her about the book, she said it was written by a guy who hung out sometimes at the King’s Inn, a bar she frequented that she seemed to remember its regulars fondly, Selby being one that had impressed her with his talent, so much so that she had kept the book. I read it before the trip, to kinda prepare for the place I had originated, but I had never seen, a place that seemed to contradict everything about the desert heat of the valley of smoke I now called home. I think the book prepared me well enough, I remember using it as my reference for Brooklyn past as I experienced it for the first time that week the dog days of late August in 72. She told me Selby was dead when I asked her what happened to him, said he was barely alive the last time she saw him in Brooklyn. Years later I learned she was wrong, I read a piece written by Henry Rollins speaking his praises & watched his books get made into films. I ended up in the rooms at my first 3rd & Gardner meeting right after he passed, I listened to folks he had helped & been a guiding light toward a better life speak his praises with tear filled eyes. So you could say I had several relationships over the years with the ever shifting idea of Selby as many things & I have definitely felt closer to that abstract ideal from the way you have presented him. Many thanks.
This was a goddamn treat and now I must find everything written by this man.
So glad you like it.
Maybe start with Last Exit & Requiem For A Dream. (Requiem is also an amazing movie by Darren Aronofsky, which I believe got the longest standing ovation in Cannes history. Ellen Burstyn will tear your heart out).
After those two, if you’re still standing, read The Room….
One of the rare occasions when the movie actually did great justice to the book. Maybe because the director had the wisdom and humility to encourage Cibby's input throughout its making. He even had a classic cameo --which I won't spoil herr for those who haven't seen it yet.
I had no idea what he was like! These books were indeed beautiful, but so painful to read all those years ago. I will have to reread them with him in mind now!
Well, when it came to hell, he wasn’t exactly a tourist…
I could tell! I have never read anything scarier than Last Exit to Brooklyn and Requiem for a Dream. YIKES.
I met Cubby through Henry a long time ago. Thanks for writing this.
Hey Dino - so glad you a chance to meet the the guy.
For better or worse, wouldn’t be here if we had not crossed paths.
Right? He gave you an almost direct gift didn't he. I never really thought of the two of you like that, but once you see it, you cannot unsee it. He was the coolest. I remember thinking of him in his little house like a broken monk, with one goal or task, that being the writing.
A broken monk! Perfect.
But his one task - if you could have asked - was not just writing. It was sharing his experience to help other people get through whatever hell they were going through.
I think Selby was as close to a saint as we’re ever going to meet.
Great that he meant so much to you.
I think the amazing part is that Selby was one of a lot of amazing humans I have been lucky enough to be around. I spend time on these sorts of websites, and I feel like an outlier based on ideas, and based on life experiences. But, thinking about Selby reminds me that there is a path to stand on.
I am 54 now, started 'writing as practice' at the end of 6th grade. And it has allowed so many great things. But, in the last ten years that monastic thing has rung loudly. Whether it be my hardcore brothers in NYC and the Krishna temple, or some of the hip hop folks chasing yoga and that 5% life...there is something in the chasing of the art for real.
Thanks for this back and forth J, have a great week.
Wow wonderful piece!
Beautiful. "By loving the monster you kept both of you human. Whatever the monster is capable of, you are capable of too." Thank you, Jerry. I'm going to sit with this for a while.
This is just fabulous. Thank you so much for this.. a freaking warrior, it sounds like. Your love for Cubby comes through like a freight train, sir..
I remember seeing a documentary about Selby and you were in it. I need to watch that again.
Yes - the camera loved the guy.
Up there w/ Bukowski, Jan's dad Jack
Incredibly kind of you. Not sure how Jan’s dad would feel about it - Bukowski would probably just punch me in the face.
Jack Kerouac was a bit of a socialist/libertarian, before alcohol got him. Bukowski's slow--though he "was quite a duker"-- fists, and sore mailman arms, shoulders
Loved this piece
Fantastic piece! I remember you and Cubby trading barbs on stage at Beyond Baroque back in the day. Good times.
Forgot about that! Thanks for reminding me.
Cubby was the Man! Now it's up to you, me, and the Man in the Moon to carry on. Much respek, brother!!
Thank you for this. I still think about Cubby almost every day. I miss him.
I read Last Exit To Brooklyn, in the Psych Unit at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago. It was winter 2001 and I have been clean and sober ever since. Thank you for this amazing piece on Cubby and a look into you!
Thanks — Glad you made it out of the Psych ward. Not always easy to to do….
Jerry, thanks for posting these pieces! I work as a substance abuse counselor at a maximum security prison and I have been sharing PM with some really amazing clients
That is incredible to hear.
Means a lot that something I write might connect with people under those circumstances. Appreciate you letting me know.
Absolutely! Thanks for writing!