Maniac Eyeball: The Unspeakable Confessions of Salvador Dali

I don't believe a word that Dalí said in this book. Nor do I disbelieve anything. Mostly, I think the literal truth of any statement he makes is irrelevant. You should treat this as a Dalinian self-portrait in words, as vivid, precise, and impossible as any of his paintings. Dalí makes it clear that Dalí's biggest achievement is Dalí. He recounts even his masturbations and defecations. Nothing is mundane in his world. Everything has some glow of the holy, profane, crass, or inspiring, and it's not clear that there's any difference. He is free with his opinions on the famous names in his circle, including Picasso and Coco Chanel. He's also free with his opinions on art, or rather on artists, especially the Spanish and most especially the Catalan. Dalí is proudly Catalan, so it's only natural that artists would rise in his esteem as they become more the way he sees himself. It's not quite clear how much of the wording is literally Dalí's and how much came from Andre Parinaud, the compiler and editor. The book's underlying time-line is quite linear, not a trait I associate with Dalí's writing. Even so, this book gives an other-worldly look into Dalí's incredible mind. -- wiredweird

I don't believe a word that Dalí said in this book. Nor do I disbelieve anything. Mostly, I think the literal truth of any statement he makes is irrelevant. You should treat this as a Dalinian self-portrait in words, as vivid, precise, and impossible as any of his paintings. Dalí makes it clear that Dalí's biggest achievement is Dalí. He recounts even his masturbations and defecations. Nothing is mundane in his world. Everything has some glow of the holy, profane, crass, or inspiring, and it's not clear that there's any difference. He is free with his opinions on the famous names in his circle, including Picasso and Coco Chanel. He's also free with his opinions on art, or rather on artists, especially the Spanish and most especially the Catalan. Dalí is proudly Catalan, so it's only natural that artists would rise in his esteem as they become more the way he sees himself. It's not quite clear how much of the wording is literally Dalí's and how much came from Andre Parinaud, the compiler and editor. The book's underlyinmg time-line is quite linear, not a trait I associate with Dalí's writing. Even so, this book gives an other-wordly look into Dalí's incredible mind. //wiredweird

To fully understand the motives behind the works of Salvador Dali, it is imperative to read this book- go directly to the source! I have never come in (indirect, albeit) contact with someone so uniquely intriguing and incredibly amazing. Dali writes about childhood memories, philosophies on wealth, contact with the world and how he views the continually shifting events taking place around him. For anyone who looks over Dali's masterpieces as incomprehensible or obtuse, please take a look at this book- Dali appears to defend his motives, making it easier for viewers to analyze his works. However, once you think you have a foothold in the world of Dali, he pulls the rug right out from under you and denounces the practice of analyzation! A delightful journey-- well worth the time!!

IT IS YOUR SECRET DESTINY TO READ THIS BOOK! Yes, you there, sitting at your computer, you who have stumbled on this review... yes, I know who you are, I can see you clairvoyantly, and I must tell you, this book has been waiting for you!I found a beat up copy in a thrift store when I was fifteen. I had just finished reading "Atlas Shrugged" and I lucked into a completely radically different tweaking of mind. "Unspeakable Confessions" was the first book I ever read that really shocked me, that made me feel that anything was fair in art. I AM TELEPATHICALLY COMMANDING YOU, IN THE SACRED NAME OF 23 AND THE HIDDEN RHINOCEROS HORNS, YOU MUST SEEK FIND AND READ THIS MINDSTUNNING BOOK AND IF YOU'RE ADEQUATELY IMPRESSIONABLE IT WILL BE WITH YOU FOR LIFE.