Celebration: The Autobiography of Graham David Smith

by Graham David Smith

``Graham Smith's book is extremely serious but often extremely funny. He grew up as an abused child, and there can be few more accurate first-hand accounts of how abused children think and feel. Later he became the lover and accomplice of art forger Eric Hebborn and lived a bohemian life with him in Rome. Some will be shocked by this book--it pulls no punches. Others will laugh and also shed tears. He is a real writer, because he can make us do both.'' Edward Lucie-Smith With wit and stunning candor, Graham Smith recounts a life overflowing with incident and adventure: from London, where he was raped at the age of six, to Rome with his lover, the celebrated forger Eric Hebborn. Together, they produced countless ``Old Master'' drawings snapped up by the biggest collectors and museums in the world. Rome, too, was the setting for forays into hustling and S&M. By the 80s, Smith and his life partner John Elliker were settled in Southern California, a pleasure ground of cocaine, sex, and drug deals gone wrong. Brilliantly, Smith recounts friendships with many of the most exciting figures of the time, from gangsters and KGB spy Sir Anthony Blunt to Fellini, Pasolini, and more. Deliciously gossipy, hilarious and heartbreaking, this is a rich celebration of a life fully lived. 255 pp 6 x 9 35 b/w photos

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998