Plastic Jesus

By Poppy Z. Brite

The 1960's brought Seth and Payton all they'd fantasized about--perfect friendships, a successful four-man band, and most importantly, each other. Together they embarked on a tour that brought them... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1892284731
• ISBN13: 9781892284730
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Subterranean Press
• Length: 105 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.2" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

John and Paul in Love

Poppy Z. Brite has previous documented in her book of essays, "Guilty But Insane" that one of her must abiding fantasies was that John Lennon and Paul McCartney were lovers. In "Plastic Jesus," Brite takes this fantasy and turns it into a fictionalized novella that is quite a departure from her previous work. "Plastic Jesus" tells the story of the rock band The Kydds, who have become the greatest rock band in the world. The group's most influential members, Seth and Peyton, are incredible music partners, and eventually become sexual partners as well. Their openly gay relationship knocks open doors in the 1960's, making the world rethink it's prejudice. All of this comes to a tragic end when Seth is murdered, and Peyton is left alone to tell his story. This novella does a very good job of creating the late 60's atmosphere, and the characters are exquisitely drawn, always something you can count on with Poppy Z. Brite. Essential for fans of her work, "Plastic Jesus" is probably most enjoyed by those who possess a knowledge of The Beatles and their history, and an open mind.

Tragic love story

As part of the British band the Kydds, Seth Grealy and Peyton Masters conquered the world in the mid-60s and 1970s. When they came out as lovers, after witnessing the Stonewall riots on TV, Peyton and Seth find themselves both embraced and rejected by those around them and the world, and their lives are changed irrevocably. And years later when Seth is killed, Peyton has to come to terms with his own life and with his lover's killer. "Plastic Jesus" is a glorious homage to the Beatles and Beatlemania, as well as a tragic love story in the vein of Emma Donoghue's "Hood". This illustrated novella, while missing Brite's usual gothic textures, nonetheless radiates her storytelling prowess.

Homage to John and Paul

Poppy Z. Brite is back with a short novel from Subterranean Press. It's called Plastic Jesus and it will probably be more than a little controversial. It opens with the assassination of a rock singer in New York. He had been a member of a British rock group in the 1960s and even after the group split up, his fame continued. One reason for the group splitting up (not the only reason) was that the group as a whole was unable to cope with the intensity of the love affair between this man and the other major songwriter in the group. Their homosexual love started to loom larger than the music. The pressures broke up the group, but it didn't break the love between the two songwriters - they continued to make music together and on the night that he was gunned down, his lover was in the car and he saw everything. What happens now, asks the novel? How will the survivor cope with losing his lover, his best friend, the man with whom he made such beautiful music?The premise isn't true, of course. John and Paul weren't lovers (as far as we know) and the Beatles split as much for financial as for personality reasons. But it makes a fascinating speculation all the same. What if John and Paul really had been lovers? Would it have made a difference to the music, a difference to their lives (and indirectly to ours)?I vividly remember the day John Lennon was shot. I remember going into work that day feeling quite numb. And one of my work colleagues sat all day at her desk just sobbing quietly, but uncontrollably.Poppy Z. Brite was only thirteen when John died. She was really a generation too young for the Beatles and their music. But that didn't stop her and she loved them dearly. She has a copy of a quirky little self portrait that John once drew tattooed on her left bicep.Plastic Jesus is her intriguing speculation about what might have been and it is her homage to the ideas and ideals of a very great man. She's done a wonderful job and written a very moving story.

A new look for Poppy fiction, yet still very good

This is a good Poppy book. It may be different from the likes of Lost Souls, Drawing Blood, ect. Yet, it is still another wonderful illustration of Poppys detailed, fantastic writing. This book is based on Poppy's (delightful) fantasy of if John and Paul for the Beatles had ever become involved. While the book is based on that dream this is definately an independent and creative novel from Poppy. The chapbook that was sold with the original printing of the novel intitled Would You?--is really Poppys true John and Paul fantasy. Plastic Jesus is a fictional account of two English musicians who start a band called the KYDDS. During the trials and tribulations that every band faces the two lead characters in the band find themselves turning towards each other for support, help, and a long term committed relationship. The story is wonderfully short novella that is both a delight to read and look at. It contains many great Poppy illustrations. If you can find a copy of the book and the chapbook I recommend it. The chapbook Would You? shows Poppy's inspiration for the story. Plastic Jesus is the story that brings both smiles, and sadness. I feel this book showed what a wonderfully diverse writer Poppy is!!

Brite's novella hits on all cylinders!

PLASTIC JESUS is Poppy Z. Brite's answer to her self -asked question, What if John Lennon and Paul McCartney had been lovers? Brite fictionalizes John and Paul with Seth and ? , a couple of English boys in early 60's England. They meet, realize they make a great musical pair, start a band called the KYDDS, make great music, lots of money and tour. The homosexual aspect is interesting in how Brite shows how attitudes change, however small, in people once they know or work with a gay male. The best thing about this novella is how Brite uses the backdrop of the Stonewall riots as the KYDDS' coming out party. In the end, the cliche "the more things change the more they stay the same" is all too painfully true.The ending is smart and true to the theme of the whole piece. Poppy also illustrates the book using some very kidlike drawings...at first glance they are very simple, but upon further reflection they are charismatic and intuitive.Overall a great piece of fiction from a favorite of mine. The artwork by the author herself is an added bonus that you can't pass up.