The ladies of Grey Gardens have had quite the resurgence in 2009. I have rediscovered my obsession with them ever since the HBO movie came out earlier this year (I walked around talking like Little Edie for a week after that, but is that so wrong?), so I couldn’t be happier to read that yet another Grey Gardens book is being released.
Grey Gardens , edited by Sarah and Rebekah Maysles, is a collection of photographs, illustrations, film stills and transcripts of the filmmakers’ conversations with the Beales. The full transcript of the film is included in the appendix. Its style cleverly mimics the original documentary’s approach to examining their lives by appearing rather cluttered, jam packed with mementos and ephemera. The book also comes with a CD containing conversations with the Beales and songs and poetry performed by both of them. For the first time, listeners can hear the Beales’ reactions during and after viewing the film.
This weekend there will also be a festival accompanying the release of the book called Staunch! The Ultimate Grey Gardens Festival, taking place at the Maysles Institute in Manhattan. The movie will be screened at various times throughout the weekend, as well as panels and performances by special guests connected to the documentary. Book signings will take place Saturday afternoon at 4. That night there will be a cabaret where guests can come perform or just sit back and enjoy.
Our editor, Laurie, will be there trying to catch a glimpse of Jerry (aka The Marble Faun),. Will you? -Celeste
