Cvj: Nicknames of Maitre D's and Other Excerpts from Life

Schnabel, a lion of the New York celebrity scene, here produces an autobiography at the grand old age of 35. Written in a flat, almost minimalist style, the memoir tells how a young man from Brooklyn, then Texas, lands in Soho, gets discovered, becomes rich and famous but preserves his artistic integrity as he bums around Europe and New York. Schnabel writes as if the daily doings of his cliquish circle are bound to be of immense interest to readers. He offers tough-talking advice to aspiring artists and sets down his critical opinions on numerous contemporaries; sometimes he drifts into a sort of Beat prose-poetry as he confronts themes like death and fame. Approximately 140 reproductions of paintings and objects are included. Author tour. (November 6)