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Bohemia: Where Art, Angst, Love, and Strong Coffee Meet
Bohemia has its charismatic leaders, its gurus, gods, and devils - and Herbert Gold chronicles them compellingly in this unique moveable feast.
Begin to read Bohemia and you will wander to the Left Bank of Paris in the fifties, where you will linger with William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, Jean Genet and Henry Miller. You will sip a dark brew, arguing politics and passion, in a Jerusalem coffeehouse just after the Six-Day War. You will join drug-amplified street theater "happenings" in the San Francisco of Haight-Ashbury, the sixties, and the ongoing Loizaida of Manhattan. From intimate fetes in Greenwich Village to the Art Deco book shops of Miami, the off-center canals of Venice, California, and the college towns of America, and in Moscow, Port-au-Prince, Palma, and La Jolla - wherever you happen to stop and browse - Herbert Gold will be there with stories of art and angst, wit and compassion.
Within these pages, you will meet the famous Upper Woody Allen in one of his first stand-up acts at the new Hungry I ... William Saroyan on a cross-generational "double-date" ... Anais Nin contemplating erotic adventure in New York ... Henry Miller merrily contemplating himself. Here, too, are the "would-bees," like the collagist of "the Oldest Living Coke Bottle Top," and the happy Doctor of Sunamatism with his recipe for virility (proven by testing on the emperor Charlemagne), and the woman whose personals ad "...seeks man with one earring, ponytail or moral equivalent."
So head for the nearest poetry reading. Offer yourself a seat in a cappuccino-scented cafe and enjoy a feast of the past, a set of keen observations and meditations on our fast-forward present. You are welcomed to Bohemia, where art, angst, and strong coffee meet.
Begin to read Bohemia and you will wander to the Left Bank of Paris in the fifties, where you will linger with William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, Jean Genet and Henry Miller. You will sip a dark brew, arguing politics and passion, in a Jerusalem coffeehouse just after the Six-Day War. You will join drug-amplified street theater "happenings" in the San Francisco of Haight-Ashbury, the sixties, and the ongoing Loizaida of Manhattan. From intimate fetes in Greenwich Village to the Art Deco book shops of Miami, the off-center canals of Venice, California, and the college towns of America, and in Moscow, Port-au-Prince, Palma, and La Jolla - wherever you happen to stop and browse - Herbert Gold will be there with stories of art and angst, wit and compassion.
Within these pages, you will meet the famous Upper Woody Allen in one of his first stand-up acts at the new Hungry I ... William Saroyan on a cross-generational "double-date" ... Anais Nin contemplating erotic adventure in New York ... Henry Miller merrily contemplating himself. Here, too, are the "would-bees," like the collagist of "the Oldest Living Coke Bottle Top," and the happy Doctor of Sunamatism with his recipe for virility (proven by testing on the emperor Charlemagne), and the woman whose personals ad "...seeks man with one earring, ponytail or moral equivalent."
So head for the nearest poetry reading. Offer yourself a seat in a cappuccino-scented cafe and enjoy a feast of the past, a set of keen observations and meditations on our fast-forward present. You are welcomed to Bohemia, where art, angst, and strong coffee meet.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1993
4 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Herbert Gold
121 books34 followersSan Francisco literary icon Herbert Gold was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1924. After several of his poems were accepted by literary magazines as a teenager, he studied philosophy at Columbia University, where he befriended writers who would define the Beat Generation, from Anaïs Nin to Allen Ginsberg. Gold won a Fulbright fellowship and moved to Paris, where he did graduate studies at the Sorbonne and worked on his first novel Birth of a Hero, published in 1951.
Gold wrote more than thirty books, including the bestsellers Fathers and The Man Who Was Not With It and received many awards, including the Sherwood Anderson Award for Fiction, the Commonwealth Club Gold Medal, and the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award. He also taught at the University of California at Berkeley, and at Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard.
Gold returned to writing poetry in the last years of his life, creating the book Father Verses Sons, A Correspondence in Poems with his sons, filmmaker Ari Gold and musician Ethan Gold, which was finalized in the weeks before his death, and is now being published by Rare Bird Lit. He also acted in a companion film, Brother Verses Brother coming in late 2024.
Gold wrote more than thirty books, including the bestsellers Fathers and The Man Who Was Not With It and received many awards, including the Sherwood Anderson Award for Fiction, the Commonwealth Club Gold Medal, and the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award. He also taught at the University of California at Berkeley, and at Stanford, Cornell, and Harvard.
Gold returned to writing poetry in the last years of his life, creating the book Father Verses Sons, A Correspondence in Poems with his sons, filmmaker Ari Gold and musician Ethan Gold, which was finalized in the weeks before his death, and is now being published by Rare Bird Lit. He also acted in a companion film, Brother Verses Brother coming in late 2024.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 21, 2011
The thing about Herb Gold is he comes off like one of those "...and I was there!" types. Yeh, I knew Kerouac. Yeh, I bought Ginsberg a beer. Yeh, I did this. And then I did that. And along the way, we the misfit, outcast, self-respecting ne'er do wells; we created this iconoclastic, rebellion of nonconformist conformity... and bla bla bla. Hep cat Daddy-O Herb Gold, weighing in on what counts for authenticity in hipness. Mainly by observing "how it's done" in Paris, Haiti, and supposedly, a San Francisco I barely recognize (and I am a Native.) So that you will "get hip with it" too. He doesn't seem to take the unoriginality of his vaunted "gypsy gangs" to be more than his just and due adulation. Like, I was there, Daddy-O. I been around. You punks think you're all so hot. Well let me tell you whippersnapper. The thing I most remember about Herb Gold is his writing stale articles for Playboy about a beatnik life that was stale then and is even staler now. The hipster disdain for people who actually manage to work for a living (he says) is a hallmark of his "Bohemia" was stupid then and is still stupid today. I know a bunch of guys who make a living out of not working. Coincidentally, they are all homeless. And he gets so many fine little details Wrong. Like the title of Dylan's "One More Cup of Coffee." As if coffee, itself, were the principal moving substance neither pot nor peyote nor acid. Like Charles Bukowski's name ("Bukowsky"[sic]) -which to me only indicates he probably never even actually read him. I was reading Bukowski while he was still self-publishing, so that probably puts me at a higher level of Upper Bohemia even than Herb! I guess he must by now have bought his own Starbucks franchise. Give me a break. I'll finish it but 2/3 into it, I got the f'n idea already.
December 25, 2014
There's some good passages and quotes, (chapter 1, 2, 3, 7, 8) but it didn't all keep my interest. Also Gold obviously hated the Linklater movie "Slacker" which I think is genius, even if it's about a lack-luster sort of bohemian of austin texas 1989 according to his standards. Good video to watch that I got the hint to read this book from is on youtube: Rebel, the Journey Underground, him and joanna richardson (who wrote about parisian bohemian circa 1830-1914) talk on it, and it's a series going to the beats, ecoactivists, punks, then hackers/ravers
Quotes:
in all the interstices of a society that still requires art, imagination, laziness, adventure, and possibility unwilled by family and employment
Conformity is inevitable when folks huddle together in rebellion.
when Henri Murger in la vie de boheme wrote about demenagement par la cheminee--the process of moving by burning your furniture for heat
Bohemians are not what weekend visitors, bridge and tunnel folks, think they are. Bohemians may look like outcasts and scapegoats, cultivators of private gardens, but in fact, they want to run things, define the taste, preach the theories, support the arts, make the music, write the literature, and drink the coffee and wine that keeps society jumping, vigorous, and fun.
It may be that, unlike gypsies, who roam in their gypsy raiments because of convenience, a love of color, and ancient tradition, the Bohemians wanders and dresses peculiar in order to shock the bourgeoisie (read: his/her parents). Enveloped in a particular history and support system, the gypsy finds it difficult to become a non-gypsy. The bohemian can drop back into the bourgeoVoluntary poverty is not the same as poverty. And the bohemian, however poor, considers himself among the elect, chosen to an elite of abstention from workaday society. is world by changing their wardrobe, switching their style to a new channel. Bohemianism is a role even if it acts like a race, class, or ethnic affiliation. The element of play makes it unusual among allegiances. Voluntary poverty is not the same as poverty. And the bohemian, however poor, considers himself among the elect, chosen to an elite of abstention from workaday society. The fortune they tell is mainly their own.
Risky voyages of discovery are part of our routines.
le cafard--that special French melancholy, the Paris blues, named after the cockroach. True existentialists headed out at night to proclaim their doomed loneliness, a public no-exitnicity, le cafard, because it was cold and damp in their rooms
Quotes:
in all the interstices of a society that still requires art, imagination, laziness, adventure, and possibility unwilled by family and employment
Conformity is inevitable when folks huddle together in rebellion.
when Henri Murger in la vie de boheme wrote about demenagement par la cheminee--the process of moving by burning your furniture for heat
Bohemians are not what weekend visitors, bridge and tunnel folks, think they are. Bohemians may look like outcasts and scapegoats, cultivators of private gardens, but in fact, they want to run things, define the taste, preach the theories, support the arts, make the music, write the literature, and drink the coffee and wine that keeps society jumping, vigorous, and fun.
It may be that, unlike gypsies, who roam in their gypsy raiments because of convenience, a love of color, and ancient tradition, the Bohemians wanders and dresses peculiar in order to shock the bourgeoisie (read: his/her parents). Enveloped in a particular history and support system, the gypsy finds it difficult to become a non-gypsy. The bohemian can drop back into the bourgeoVoluntary poverty is not the same as poverty. And the bohemian, however poor, considers himself among the elect, chosen to an elite of abstention from workaday society. is world by changing their wardrobe, switching their style to a new channel. Bohemianism is a role even if it acts like a race, class, or ethnic affiliation. The element of play makes it unusual among allegiances. Voluntary poverty is not the same as poverty. And the bohemian, however poor, considers himself among the elect, chosen to an elite of abstention from workaday society. The fortune they tell is mainly their own.
Risky voyages of discovery are part of our routines.
le cafard--that special French melancholy, the Paris blues, named after the cockroach. True existentialists headed out at night to proclaim their doomed loneliness, a public no-exitnicity, le cafard, because it was cold and damp in their rooms
October 29, 2025
There were some great chapters and the beginning got me hooked with its poignant punches… too bad the rest of the book was like a watered drown drink. It felt super repetitive by the end, even when it did cycle back around and finish on a stronger note. This book is great for breadth and promises pockets of depth, but as a whole, you’re probably better off sticking to an article on this subject.
March 21, 2023
This started a little out of focus I didn’t need to hear about every outpost of Bohemia all over the world. I thought the book could be better organized by people than location. From the overview I missed a lot of the one liners and zingers. But then the the writing got more personal more first person and the book became more focused and interesting. I loved the chapter on amiss nin. And his analysis of Henry miller was excellent. I also liked that gold would point out when bohemian was full of it ie rexroth Gregory corso. Gold had quite a journey coming to New York at 17 and making it on his own and as a writer. If anyone exemplifies the bohemian spirit it’s him
January 12, 2023
Incredible anecdotal passages and situations that can only inspire the next generation to live outside the norm and dream to be something different. The importance of this book comes with the idea that you can choose to be a Bohemian forever and never once sell out to Middle-class conformity. Travel and exploration should be attainable to anyone who wants it.
All power to the dreamers!
All power to the dreamers!
June 4, 2022
After feeling it was superficial, I enjoyed the anecdotes & the overall descriptions of bohemianism which is what the book alleged to be. I note I have no idea why Henry Robbins was called that, especially when his band was accurately named on the same page. Bukowsky I can understand.
November 17, 2017
Not a bad book by any means, some really solid chapters here and there, but overall a pretty ineffectual read.
December 13, 2019
Read this book and gave it a good review in a magazine when it came out in the UK. It's relaxed, conversational and loaded with interesting anecdote.
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September 13, 2025i would also be this insufferable if i was him lowk
April 14, 2008
It was alright, though I found it a bit unbelievable (and not in a good way.) The book was an examination of Bohemian culture from the 40s to the 90s through the eyes of the writer. My first problem was that "everything was wonderful with full on rose colored glasses" way of describing the entire scene. Calling everyone "gypsies full of love for life" does not cover it all. What about the drugs? The poverty?
Also, there were so many people that the writers knew and every one of them was an eccentric character. Most only get a half a page description (" there was this great character I knew in North Beach. He used to dance on tables at restaurants for his dinner...") Of course, the author knew EVERYONE important. He knew Allen Ginsberg, Burroughs, Rexroth, Henry Miller, Anias Nin... if they were any kind of famous artist or character from the subculture, this guy name drops him. That got pretty annoying fast. Then there was the idea that this guy was EVERYWHERE. The Beat Hotel in the late 50's? He was there. Greenwich Village in the 60s? Yep, he was there too. San Francisco? Why, he's lived there for 40 years!!!
So, in the end, I found it a bit boring and full of hot air. It also did not help that the book was released by a small press. There were several misspellings and formating problems that should have been caught. All of this was disappointing since I really do love the subculture.
Also, there were so many people that the writers knew and every one of them was an eccentric character. Most only get a half a page description (" there was this great character I knew in North Beach. He used to dance on tables at restaurants for his dinner...") Of course, the author knew EVERYONE important. He knew Allen Ginsberg, Burroughs, Rexroth, Henry Miller, Anias Nin... if they were any kind of famous artist or character from the subculture, this guy name drops him. That got pretty annoying fast. Then there was the idea that this guy was EVERYWHERE. The Beat Hotel in the late 50's? He was there. Greenwich Village in the 60s? Yep, he was there too. San Francisco? Why, he's lived there for 40 years!!!
So, in the end, I found it a bit boring and full of hot air. It also did not help that the book was released by a small press. There were several misspellings and formating problems that should have been caught. All of this was disappointing since I really do love the subculture.
June 27, 2008
In Bohemia, a book of essays describing Gold's own adventures in bohemianism with the beat generation, Gold acts as a fly on the wall, collecting stories, ideas, philosophies, and theories of some great and memorable minds. Each part ranges from so-so to excellent, depending much upon the reader's interest in the current topic. The writing is excellent, as is the humor and insights Gold puts forth, although at times, especially to a younger generation, the subjects themselves seem a bit dated.
The first half was intriguing, entertaining, and captivated my interest, whereas the last half (or perhaps third) kind of flagged for me. All in all, however, an interesting and amusing read, though I wouldn't pass it on to anyone not interested in culture studies, bohemia, or the writers and artists mentioned within its pages.
The first half was intriguing, entertaining, and captivated my interest, whereas the last half (or perhaps third) kind of flagged for me. All in all, however, an interesting and amusing read, though I wouldn't pass it on to anyone not interested in culture studies, bohemia, or the writers and artists mentioned within its pages.
July 23, 2017
"Janice" Joplin ?!? Much like the Barry Miles book read recently, I had to hold myself back from taking a pencil to several pages to make necessary corrections. Do writers hire editors anymore? Note this book was published in the early 1990's.
That being said, I did enjoy this book once it became less scholarly and more conversational. The writer has some good stories to tell, and he tells them in a non-linear fashion as we jump from one country/city/neighborhood/scene to the next.
That being said, I did enjoy this book once it became less scholarly and more conversational. The writer has some good stories to tell, and he tells them in a non-linear fashion as we jump from one country/city/neighborhood/scene to the next.
July 17, 2014
The author knew everybody and lived the Bohemian life - I only vaguely recognized his name from some old Playboy articles.
From Henry Miller and Anais Nin to William S. Burroughs and Ginsberg, from Paris to North Beach to Soho and everywhere else the Beats congregated - Herb gold was in the middle of it all.
His writing is clever and this is a highly enjoyable read.
From Henry Miller and Anais Nin to William S. Burroughs and Ginsberg, from Paris to North Beach to Soho and everywhere else the Beats congregated - Herb gold was in the middle of it all.
His writing is clever and this is a highly enjoyable read.
February 17, 2009
Although I liked the grouping of various counter-cultural movements under the "bohemian" label, I didn't find as much of the connecting tissue between the variants (Beats, Hippies, Anarchists) as I was hoping would be revealed. A bit too much name dropping, albeit very interesting names...
September 2, 2015
I read this a while ago...I remember being very excited about it at first...but then losing enthusiasm as things wore on...still, overall, I have fond memories of it...
August 4, 2012
Prose poetry about Bohemian culture in the fifties and sixties.
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December 20, 2012Excellent writing. Herb was my literature professor at Cornell and he writes about me and my back from the future ideas in this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews