Mondo James Dean: A Collection of Stories and Poems about James Dean

A continuation of the Mondo series that earlier featured Mondo Elvis, ...Barbie and ...Marilyn, this anthology of 23 poems, essays and short fiction depicts the 1950s film icon in a clever romp through the legend's life and death. The editors shift gears smoothly throughout this work of diverse, sometimes bizarre and always quick-witted narratives from writers with often curious connections to the star (Hilary Howard has been told ""she looks like James Dean"" and Bentley Little has ""searched Griffith Park for James Dean's tire iron""). Many contributors have chosen to give voices to such figures as Dean's high school drama teacher, lovers galore and his rehearsal partner in East of Eden. In Michael Hemmingson's ""Jimmy,"" a dying singer in a neo-psychedelic-goth band unwittingly gives Dean a lift out of hell just before she's revived by paramedics. Another highlight is Reuben Jackson's addictive poem ""James Dean."" In Jack C. Haldeman II's short story ""South of Eden, Somewhere Near Salinas,"" Dean is behind the wheel of his Baker House Special while Natalie Wood awaits him in the stands. Haldeman writes, ""As they approached the end of the grandstand, the brick surface gave way to asphalt. Dean stood there, lost in thought. He closed his eyes and visualized all two hundred laps, and how the brick straight in front of the grandstands threatened to jar your teeth out and how it felt like glass when you went from the bricks to the asphalt, just in time to get set for turn one. Repeat 200 times, in heavy traffic."" (Feb.)