Yesterday's Perfume: An Intimate Memoir of Paul Bowles

by Cherie Nutting

Fifteen years ago, Cherie Nutting returned to Morocco. She had first visited it as a child with her mother, and the images of mystery and the desert had stayed with her, fueled over the years by accounts of expatriate life and by the literature created there. In Tangier again, she met the most famous of the expatriates and author of the classic The Sheltering Sky . Cherie became a friend of Paul Bowles and part of his circle. Over the years, the friendship deepened and widened.

Yesterday's Perfume is a memoir of that friendship and of Cherie's love of Morocco. She had unparalleled access to Paul, and recorded, journal-like, their conversations and the events of everyday life. Interwoven among Cherie's narrative are bits and pieces of Paul's previously unpublished writings -- diarylike fragments, retellings of dreams, little stories -- a sharp counterpoint in his inimitable voice.

Unlike most memoirs, Yesterday's Perfume is blessed with a wealth of extraordinary images. Cherie has created a visual record of their friendship, capturing intimate moments, making formal portraits, recording the comings and goings of celebrities and friends. And here, too, the dialogue with Bowles continues, for Paul has jotted down his reactions in the borders and on the prints.

Several other friends have contributed to these pages, Peter Beard, Ned Rorem, and Bruce Weber among them. But key is the collaboration of Cherie and Paul. Together they have created a touching portrait of friendship and a road map to the mind of an artist.

Genres: Biography

240 pages, Hardcover

First published November 21, 2000

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of thoughts as I glided along through this unusual dual biography of Bowles and autobiography of its author, Cherie Nutting. Alas, I failed to take notes of them as I went along. It's probably for the best though, and maybe even in the spirit of the book. The book is not so much a biography or even a photo essay, though it is both, and neither. It's kind of an impressionistic, illustrated, fragmentary scrapbook love letter to and about Bowles, by a young hippie chick groupie who managed to ingratiate herself into his life. Those looking for a traditional bio of a well-regarded artist (writer and composer) will not be satisfied. Reading this, I was often frustrated by the incompleteness of some of the narrative threads. Many incidents are brought up but not thoroughly or well explained (the visit of Mick Jagger, the filming of The Sheltering Sky, Nutting's relationship to a Moroccan musician, the fate of her Moroccan-built house, etc.). But there are very interesting compensations: peeks inside the diaries of Bowles and his late wife, Jane, for instance. The book fails to address Bowles' sexuality (both he and his wife were bi) and includes many pictures of buff locals Bowles befriended, with little explanation. His relationship with a volatile local writer named Mrabat, shown as a buff young local in one image, is not fully explained. Bowles, seen as a sort of western guru in Tangier and visited and written to by countless famed artists around the world, is here presented as a rather mellow old man. In most of the photos he has a sincere, generous smile. While some have questioned Nutting's motives, there can be no doubt that she brought out the best in him; and that he cherished her company. It's hard to judge that harshly. But Bowles had a way of surrounding himself with exploiting scaliwags, both local and foreign. He seemed to be sending money to people ad infinitum. And he remained true to Morocco, even when certain comforts and conveniences were not always available that might have made his work and medical care access easier. This is not so much a book to read and look at as it is to experience. Nutting's pictures and the arrangement thereof give a real flavor of Bowles' everyday life. This is a unique book, and -- despite its flaws, its air of preciousness, self indulgence and self-satisfaction -- it is a memorable and privileged peek into the final days of a fascinating man.

[Kim Zinkowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Works by and about Paul Bowles have been very much a part of my reading over the past several years. I am currently engaged with his most famous novel, The Sheltering Sky. I was reminded that I had this volume and read it yesterday. I was upset by the relationship of Cherie and Mrabet, never feeling comfortable with outright theft...but, I thought in Morocco, what can one do. Certainly Cherie and Paul did not make a big deal of it. Reading this book inspired me to listen to his (Paul Bowles') music, currently playing in the background, courtesy of spotify. I must also listen to The Master Musicians of Jajouka, interestingly enough, introduced to the west by Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones. The book is fascinating, the relationship, deep and enduring. A wonderful tribute and remembrance.

[Vel · Rating 4 out of 5]

black and white
preserves the light
color somehow duller