Dandy in the Underworld by Sebastian HorsleyMy review
rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sebastian is a hard working degenerate. He's done it all with bells on, including rolling in his own excrement and dating psychotic Scottish ex-murderers, as well as the more mundane quaffing of heroin and crack. Also, at some point he realized he was useless at sleeping with 'normal' women so started using prostitutes up to four times a week. Next he dabbled in being a rent boy, but had to give it up when a woman as fat as a whale wanted him to do her and he ran into the night screaming. How the hell does he look reasonably healthy after all that?
The thing about degenerates that's always puzzled me is, how the heck do they keep going? In Horsley's case the simple answer was a trust fund, but even if you have the cash, doesn't taking huge amounts of drugs make you feel like total shit? Plus, meaningless degenerate sex is only a novelty the first few hundred times, surely? After that it's probably as repetitive as well, monogamy. So good on ya Sebastian, for keeping going!
Actually, this form of British individualist/degenerate is pretty prevalent. I would argue that is is because in the UK everything has to do with class and if you are born upper middle class (like Sebastian) it matters not a whit what you do with yourself after that, you simply consider yourself a 'somebody'. You can be idle and still middle class. It is totally different in the US where you are granted a certain class status solely based on the amount you earn or because of your profession. Certain professions make you middle class.
In this way the UK is the total opposite to the US and I think it will stay like that for many a moon. The reason the US is such a successful economy is mostly because the people work like absolute dogs as opposed to the Brits who don't have quite such a strong work ethic. Now, I for one applaud the British system, which, while not exactly good for the economy means that it will always produce nut cases like Horsely to amuse and delight our sensibilities.
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15 comments:
You view of Britain may be a little outdated. There's toffish blogger called Louche who gives every indication of wanting to live a life of leisure and debauchery, but the need to make a living keeps interrupting his fun.
If you ask me he's a bit of a wank, but not as big a wank as Russell Brand.
Americans only get two weeks holiday a year and still manage to grin constantly. God knows how.
Remarkably enough Britain is supposed to be virtually as rich per head as the US. I find this hard to believe.
Americans only get two weeks holiday a year and still manage to grin constantly. God knows how.
'Cause we're high on life.
Seriously, though. When I first looked at the book jacket I thought: Holy crap! So that's what happened to Adam Ant!
I'm an alien in New York.
reminds me of the song...if i were a rich man/girl....
Not such a strong work ethic? Not such a strong work ethic! How dare you! Oh... who am I trying to kid? On the button as always, Emma!
The guy looks F'd up in that video, I think his brain is permanently damaged! Unfortunately, I have known people like him in real life and let's just say their charm wears off quickly. Oh, but why lie, I'll be reading the book too. ;^)
That guy is a trip. I love how us customs refused to allow him a visa to visit NYC after he disclosed his numerous drug adventures.
I think you're right about social work status issues. Seems like Italy is more like the Britain you describe as well, with their being a significant number of upple middle class people who go about "the sweet life" as their occupation. Hey it beats goat herding.
The UK system makes so much more sense though. Inherited wealth, inherited class, inherited tenure.
What could be simpler ??
If your parent were rich, you get the lot some day. If Dear Old Dad was The King, then you should rule some day. If one of your parents was a surgeon, they should hand you a scalpel and let you get on with some cutting...
fantastic blog post there! I read the whole thing even though I have not got a clue who you were talking about but now I too would like to find out more.
I read a book once about a man traveling through Finland and he propositioned an absolutely enormous house maid who didn't speak a word of English. He pretty much just wanted to experience shagging a huge woman but was somewhat turned off when he couldn't easily find her vagina.
Geez, a man rolls in a little of his own bodily function and he gets banned from entering a country.----God, we would bring him in, put him on a stage and sell tickets for an encore.
No wonder we smile---4 weeks holiday, 12 days sick leave and 15days long service leave
Oh, and just for Kate--a vagina is always easy to find---you roll them in flour and it's the wet spot
"I would argue that is is because in the UK everything has to do with class and if you are born upper middle class (like Sebastian) it matters not a whit what you do with yourself after that, you simply consider yourself a 'somebody'."
I think this is VERY outdated! It's not the seventies any more! In modern Britain, we're a 'classless' society, remember (Jade Goody is proof of that.)
The truth is, there is no 'working class' in the UK any more. There are just people with accents and chips on their shoulders who ramble on about 'ma workin' class roots' even though they earn as much as the polite, well spoken boy next door.
gorilla bananas....
why does everyone tell me my view of Britain is outdated? I only left 8 years ago.
If it really has become as classless as the USA I am never going back...its snobbishnesss is part of its charm
As for being a degenerate it is pretty easy, and I knew scores of them in London. You simply find a rich girlfriend or boyfriend and live off them and indulge your vices.
garfer...
He is a wanker but honestly the book is really perceptive...seriously
Americans only get two weeks holiday a year and still manage to grin constantly.
I think they enjoy working!! Crazy
moi...
I don't know about high on life...I think you're high on frosting!
He is Adam Ant's doppelganger isn't he??
gilbert the alien...
I'm an alien in Baltimore
Mars...
Sebastian said it was his ambition to grow up to be a woman and it looks like he achieved it
Steve...
Not such a strong work ethic?
Oh darling, I was only talking about myself!
badside...
He is fucked up through drugs...it's amazing he isn't dead
Oh I know those people can only be tolerated in small doses but the book is ace
Gargamello...
That is totally my theory of life: going about "the sweet life" as if it were my occupation
fingers...
It gets complicated actually. My dad was a UK born upper class twit but I was illegitimate so he always told me I was "just about middle class" (because my mum was an Austrian peasant according to him). It's a bit like adding up -1 + +1 = 0
SPARSELY KATE...
why are the most entertaining people in the world always insane?? I don't know.
Nice people are so boring
Couldn't find her vagina??
lol
lol
Clyde...
God, we would bring him in, put him on a stage and sell tickets for an encore.
you aussies are so cool!
Roland Hulme
Outdated views? possibly. I know the UK is overrun with feral chavs now
Sure maybe there are no working class people anymore because there is little/no manufacturing in the UK(although aren't the people who work in McDonalds etc the new working class?)but the upper classes still ponce around living a life of leisure in many cases, no?
American manage to keep smiling on 2 weeks holiday a year because if they thought about how they were being exploited while the rest of the world has fun, they would start screaming and never stop.
"Work ethic" is such an inaccurate phrase. There's nothing ethical about having to work 2 or 3 jobs in order to stave off penury.
nicholas...a thoughtful comment and I totally agree
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