Ptown: Art, Sex, and Money on the Outer Cape

by Peter Manso

When you look back at its history, you can see a progression in Provincetown, things getting wilder and wilder, the outlaw element becoming the norm....
Provincetown, Cape This small Massachusetts enclave has long been home to pirates, commune-dwellers, artists, and other noble countrymen who value liberty over law -- from Norman Mailer and Tennessee Williams to John Waters, Robert Motherwell, and former congressman Gerry Studds. With one of the largest homosexual populations per capita of any town or city in the United States, and some of the highest beachfront real estate prices in the Northeast, Provincetown is a thriving tourist spot that attracts more than one million visitors each year. Here, acclaimed writer and longtime Ptown resident Peter Manso brings together all the celebrities and townsfolk, history and happenstance, and politics and gossip to offer an unparalleled account of this unconventional seaside society -- a place, in the words of Henry David Thoreau, where "one may stand...and put all of America behind him."

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

352 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2002

Reviews

[Adam Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had this book for years and just never got around to reading it. I finally committed to it. At first the chapters are quick and share very different takes on this magical town, jumping from modern (at the time of its publication) day stories to early histories and not so distant legends. As the book continues, it focuses narrowly on the stories of two main characters: Tony Jackett and Jay Critchley. By the end it starts to feel like a biography of Jay Critchley only. It drags on and at times even comes across as a bit homophobic. Overall it certainly has some highlights, but it is a limited view of what this town is all about. One sided, and heroes a very small few when thousands of people have shaped this special place.

[Patricia Dumas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spent many summers in Ptown-- so far, the book is boring, and without charm as Ptown is. Fun for the instances of people in it that I recognize. Otherwise, Manso takes a wiseass look at a beautiful town, and only captures the crap-- but, then again, it's about "art, sex, and money". No room, I guess for the beauty and the quaintness.

Only people who know Ptown can try to enjoy this book-- as it holds nothing for the reader unfamiliar with the town. And even then, I learned nothing much here. Just that Norman Mailer was an as*hole, and everyone else was dealing and smuggling drugs and stealing artwork.

I haven't come across the book yet that defines my beautiful Ptown. Maybe someday I will.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book many years ago for my parents who had a timeshare in Provincetown for decades. I don't think they ever read it but I'm not sure they would've appreciated it as much as I did anyway. I happened to meet Jay Critchley, one of the major "characters" in the book, through a common friend in San Francisco. I knew he was eccentric but had no idea he was one of the town's main men! Over 20 years later, I can only imagine what Mr Manso would be able to add to this story about how this village on Cape Cod has changed even more.

[Ginagina24 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skimmed it couldn't read it. There was probably 2-3 good side stories but mostly not at all what the jacket let on - it is a gay centric version of the city of Providence with a few other random stories thrown in. There is something for everyone but this was for sure not for me.

[sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago and still think about it. I loved the narrative style to the writing and how I learned so much about the history of P-town in such a fun and engaging way. If you like historical narrative - I really recommend!

[Phil]

Very imformative and a look into the Provincetown lifestyle.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who's spent many vacations with special friends on Cape Cod, always putting aside one day for exploring Ptown to shop, eat, people watch, whale watch, horseback ride, and bike ride, I wanted to see what the author had to say. Of course my view of the town as a tourist is completely different from living and working there year round. I have to admit I skimmed the chapters about the politicians I knew nothing about and zeroed in on the famous or those in the news - say, Arthur Mailer and Tony Jackett, who had an child with murder victim Christa Worthington. The prominent gay community is always a lively subject. Sadly, as the author points out, most of us couldn't afford to live there, as always seems to be the case on the ocean's edge. Aside from the beach, just walking certain parts of town is a pleasure if you're interested in gardening and architecture. So, while standing on my beach, through my binoculars I'll look for the Provincetown Momument across the bay, and remember some of the author's stories about the people and establishments on my next visit. Anyone who's never visited would probably find this a dull book.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a mixed bag for me...the chapters were not connected to each ohter for the most part, and some of them were very interesting, while others I could not get into (like the ins and outs of various eccentric poets' and artists' lives). After I got 3/4 of the way through the book, i decided that life is too short and there are too many great books to read, so i quit reading this one.

I think if you have spent a lot of time in provincetown you would probably find this book fascinating.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

enjoyed some of the historical anecdotes; book dragged when it got too deep into life stories of individuals. Understood the point he was trying to make about how this is historically a community where gay and straight people coexisted happily and that gentrification threatens the character of the town, but felt his (again, anecdotal) narrative in service of that agenda verged on demonizing gays. opinion was sealed when a woman at the Old Colony was like "Is that the peter Manso book? I read it. I don't like him, he's a big namedropper."

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a great read on how Ptown has evolved from a small Portuguese fishing village to a modern gay enclave. I really enjoyed the part on the artists and writers who lived there in the early half of the twentieth century. The author was a little off in the way he described the LGBT people who lived there. From the way he wrote about them, I am assuming he is straight. Still a good read to get pumped for my trip to Ptown!

[Kerry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent read while one is on the Cape. I think this would only be interesting, though, to someone who is very familiar with the outer cape -- for that reason I liked it. 2.5 stars really but goodreads won't let me.

[Cory · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book about town that has changed a lot over the years.

[Kaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Ptown so I loved this book. But if u don't care bout Ptown - don't read it.