Life Interrupted
A review by John Boland
 
 

I was fortunate enough to come across an uncorrected proof of the unfinished monologue. And yes, the only complaint is the unfinished aspect. At first, I read the preface which I well written by Francine Prose, except that she uses what I would call ‘spoilers’ – little tidbits I’d rather get from reading the monologue. So read it but read it last. Oh, and another semi complaint was that I was sincerely hoping that the web page, www.spaldinggray.com would be mentioned. Maybe by the final product.

I thought and felt that the actual monologue, although very short, is Spalding at his best. I laughed again and again, despite the subject matter. Then I felt guilty as I forgotten for a brief moment that this was it. Spalding isn’t going to write any more. It was helpful though to cut through the denial I continue to entertain.

Gone are the more obvious ‘racial slurs’ that a fan had written about. Even a well-known person who had been friend with the Spud had written that she had walked out of a live performance. Fool.

The morning after reading the monologue, I woke up with anxiety just as described in the book by Spalding. In a panic, I read the words of Marissa as spoken at the second Memorial. They settled my mind and emotions for a while until I thought about what she had written. I was back to where I was, a strange combination of sadness, anger and confusion. I knew enough to read what Kathie had written at the second Memorial. I could still hear her words ringing in my mind from the first Memorial which I had been at. And if I did it again, I’d crash the second…

Her words were of comfort, although I still feel on an emotional roller coaster, even more than a week after reading the monologue.

All I know is I that I am glad I read it. I will read it again. If you are expecting a long monologue, forget it. If you are a fan of Spalding Gray, then expect every single word to somehow become a perfect moment…

We love you, Spalding…
jb, August, 2005