Status Updates From Aleister Crowley – Suuren P...

One thing about this biography that I struggle with is why do people find Crowley’s presence attractive? Everything about him from his physical appearance, personality and behavior are totally unique and absolutely disgusting. Like how is homie getting any play from either sex? He is broke, annoyingly flamboyant and absolutely selfish. Are they that deluded into believing that Crowley is a spiritual teacher?

I have a problem with the pacing of this book. I feel like I am reading the summary of a life on fast forward. Characters and affairs are dealt with in paragraphs, while name drops are flatly left, and the greater and clearer narrative always feels slyly told. As if I am hearing my best friend talk shit about a mutual acquaintance, there is a salacious joy in the reading but also a feeling like all nuance is lost…

Lachman has depicted Crowley into a quixotic, sheltered trust-fund kid seeking the most extreme experiences. Through his natural talents (for lying) and impossible persistence, Crowley stumbles his way into becoming the Great Beast, the Prophet of the New Aeon — a man who wrote a poem about eating an Arab lover's excrement A bit bummed that Lachman hates Crowley so much because I am not seeing an ounce of sincerity