Touching From a Distance (1995)

Touching From a Distance (1995)

Author: Deborah Curtis | Page Count: 212

"...[H]e was reading Dostoyevsky, Nietzsche, Jean Paul Sarte, Hermann Hesse and J. G. Ballard. ...It struck me that all Ian's spare time was spent reading and thinking about human suffering."

Ian Curtis found a way to say the things that the post-punk generation were so badly in need of hearing. It doesn't mean he was a hero. He was gifted, but many of his actions show him to be as much an asshole as the rest of us; I mean that in the kindest way.

The book tells the significant parts of his tale from his wife’s point of view. It also tells her tale, and it’s one that for me was worth reading. Deborah strives to find a balance between the emotional stance of a wife and mother deifying her husband out of love and duty, and the equally emotional dejectedness of a devoted partner left out in the cold during her husband’s greatest triumph. Mostly, it meets both of those goals.

Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and His Films (2008)

Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and His Films (2008)

Author: Joseph Lanza | Page Count: 384

"When every second counts, it is often necessary to say two things at once; which is why I frequently introduce symbolism into scenes of reality." –Russell.

Everything you've ever wanted to know about the lover of kitsch and vaudeville imagery that was Ken Russell but were afraid, unwilling, or unable to ask.

It functions as a biography of his early years, which helps shed a murky light on the reasons for some of his adulthood fixations. It hurries quickly over one of the most traumatic events in his early life, but I put that down to a show of respect for the man.

Later, it dissects and gives some juicy behind the scenes info on all his films. Film fans will find that part of most interest. Personally, I loved both parts, although I had to selectively skip some paragraphs because I've not had the pleasure of viewing certain films yet. Take note: there's spoilers aplenty!