MYRA BRECKINRIDGE moves to Hollywood in order to collect the inheritance left by her husband Myron. The one problem is Uncle Buck Loner who stands between her and the property - a profitable school for would be actors run by Buck. Myra is certain that everything will turn out her way, as she is the New American Woman. Every man wants her, but none may have her. However, there is a twist to Myra that will throw her plans into turmoil if anyone finds out.

This is a darkly comic book with one of the most intriguing of characters in Myra Breckinridge. She is self-confidant (perhaps overly so), knows how to control and manipulate both men and women to fulfill her wishes, and determined not to let anything stop her. She is ready to change the world to suit her. In other words, a force to be reckoned with. I also liked that she patterned herself after movie heroines and relates to people as though they were characters in a movie, shown for her benefit.

The novel itself is written as a series of diary entries, written by Myra as events happen. This gives an immediacy to the story and makes the reader feel as though he/she is a part of the action. The twist in the story is definitely a shocking one; I admit that it threw me for a loop. I can only imagine its impact when the book was published in 1968 with the sexual revolution just underway. An incredible book.

MYRON: This sequel to "Myra Breckinridge" follows poor Myron as he battles against Myra, only this time they've somehow become stuck in the 1948 movie "Siren of Babylon." It's a strange world, the Hollywood of 1948, and Myron tries frantically to return to 1973 and his beloved Richard M. Nixon while Myra has plans of her own to both bring back the glory of MG Studios by fixing "Siren" and to curb the human population growth by re-forming man in her image - strong, sterile Amazonian woman. Her one problem: Myron and how to keep him from escaping the film.

It's a totally bizarre and wonderfully campy look at Hollywood of the 1940s but seen through the eyes of the 1970s. And, like its predecessor, is written in journal entries so you're in the action as it happens from the characters' perspectives. A great piece of fantasy fiction.

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I read Myra back in the late 60s when it first came out because of its notoriety for being very risque for the time. This was probably when I first started college and I thought it was quite interesting. I don't really remember a lot of details, however. I also remember seeing the movie version with Raquel Welsh and Mae West -- probably for the same reason -- The movie I remember was quite bad!



This is also No. 384 on the 1001 books you must read before you die list.

Bookray

Starting a bookray for this book. This is one of several books donated to the 1001-library. Rather than have them sit on my shelf, I am sending them out as bookrays. This book has now been removed from the library so the last person on the ray could return the book back to the library if he/she prefers, try to continue the ray, or pass it on to another bookcrosser.

Please PM me if interested in joining. Bookray will remain open until last person has the book.

Participants so far:

. lucy-lemon from UK (UK preferred)
. Caroley from UK (international)
. WigglyWoods from UK (international)
. Deepswamp from Sweden (international)
. nikel27 from Germany (international)
. Bug2004 from Nebraska, USA (US only)
. dastephan6 from Massachusetts, USA (international)
. ajsmom from Canada (international)
. cat207 from Australia (Australia preferred - will ship international)
. davemurray101 from Australia (international)

Now with the 1001-library.

Note: Order is subject to change based on shipping preferences and others joining the bookray.

How the bookray works:
* Someone will PM you for your address, PM them back and provide your address
* When you receive the book, please make a journal entry letting everyone know that you received it
* Put the book at the top of your TBR pile (under other rings/rays that arrived first)
* Read the book (take your time and enjoy the book, don't feel rushed to finish it but try to get it out to next reader within a couple of months)
* When the end is in sight, check the book's journal and PM the next person to get their address
* Finish the book, make another journal entry and let everyone know what you thought of the book
* Send the book to the next person on the list (please use the cheapest shipping method available), make release notes (Controlled Release) or journal entry to let everyone know that it's in the mail
* Last person on the ray: This book has been removed from the 1001-library so you can either redonate the book to the 1001-library or pass it on to someone else as a RABCK, etc.

Please feel free to PM me at any time with questions


Bookray is now complete. Thanks everyone for participating! The book is now with the 1001-library. If you would like to read it, please go to their shelf for instructions.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailing to lucy-lemon to start this bookray.

Arrived the other day - thank you! I've already read Myra Breckinridge, and I really liked it! Usually I find that I don't enjoy a lot of the 1001 books, so that was a pleasant surprise. Will hopefully be sending to Caroley at the weekend.

Received today thanks.

I do have a couple of other rings to read before this one but I should get to it fairly quickly.

I finished this today so will get it posted on to Wigglywoods as soon as the snow allows me to get to the post office.

I'm not quite sure what to make of it, to be honest. I think I liked Myra but not enough to want to read Myron so I didn't bother with the second story.
That's another one ticked off the 1001 list, so thanks for sharing perryfran and thanks Lucy for sending it :)

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Posted 2nd class to wigglywoods

Arrived safely - thanks Caroley :D

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Glad of the opportunity to read this book but didn't reallly enjoy it very much. Posting off today.

Oh, sorry, I have forgot to tell - the book has arrived! and read!
It was interesting, and I like the diary-kind of writing.
Waiting for the adress, and it will go on travelling!

arrived safe at my house, will start reading soon

Update:
finished reading before going on vacation:
Good read, thanks for sharing with me.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

EnJoy the book as I did.

Re'cvd today. Have several in front of this one, but will get to it as quick as I can. Thanks for sharing! :)

Address rec'vd...tripped planned for Monday to the post office.

So sorry for the delay. This hit the road yesterday.


I thought this was a delightful and hilarious read. I was totally caught up in the story and was kind of bummed when it was done. Vidal is a wonderful writer!!!

recieved this week. will get to it as soon as i can. just a couple in front of it.

waiting for address

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

off to the next person

Caught today, thank you!

I enjoyed the campiness of the characters (Uncle Buck was a hoot), as well as Myra's love of the "great" movies, but stopped enjoying the book quite so much when Myra started losing it to Myron. (Poor Rusty). It was entertaining and I feel like I can cross it off my 1001 list, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to anyone. I am going to give Myron a pass, so that this book can continue on its' journey.

Thanks for the read!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Sorry it took me so long to get the post office! It went out this morning via surface mail.

Arrived in today's mail. Thank you ajsmom, and perryfran, as always, for sharing your books.

Even without knowing the story I knew what was coming. Not good enough for me to bother with Myron, I'm afraid.

This goes into the mail tomorrow to Dave along with 'The Siege of Krishnapur'.

recieved from Cat207 today. Thanks to Perryfran for sharing. I will make sure it goes to a good home after I've finished.

* Just finished Myra this afternoon and wow, that was an unexpected book. Now for Myron..
* I've finised Myron - not sure why he wrote this as I didn't think it really added anything new to the story.

Thanks again to Perryfran for sharing.

This book is now back on the 1001 library bookshelf and can be borrowed by PMing davemurray101:)

If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the library bookshelf.