Ida Rubinstein

Dwarf (D’Annunzio) shoots arrows at a fair haired Ida Rubenstein.

Readers of these pages may find a new book The Fiume Crisis by Dominique Kirchner, Reill that details d’Annunzio’s short lived capture of the city of Fiume after the World War II of interest as the holidays approach. The coke-inspired fantasies led to orgies, a progressive constitution and inspiration for future writers.

Romaine painted d’Annunzio as Il Commandante and a hero which was how he was regarded by the loyal legions that helped him take over Fiume following the peace.

Among other inspirational gifts are Suzanne Stroh’s readings of gay classics such as the one illiterated here and available from Audible. Suzanne who has one of the most engaging voices in the field of vocal narratives has embarked on a new endeavor narrating author’s books and focusing on GLBTAI writers who have too often been pushed to the margins of the literary landscape. I think of lesser known writers as well as the more famous gays who deserve an audio interpretation of their work, among them Natalie Barney, H.D, Breyer, iris Murdoch, Djuna Barnes and too many more to list here. I think of biographies of Rachael Carson, so timely now when all she wrote in Silent Spring has come full circle as we confront devastating climate change or Ruth Benedict and Margaret Meade’s contributions to anthropology. I could see her reading Oscars Happy Prince, one of my favorites or any number of “fairy tales”. So Authors in search of a voice should check her out

During this period I’ve lockdown and sheltered at home because of the Covid pandemic. I have found myself looking around for desirable distractions. I have also been wracking my brain to come up with ways of gifting my loved ones and friends with gifts that they will enjoy as we get through both the pandemic and fears here in the US regarding our troubled presidential transition.

So wishing you all safe and healthy as we kick 2020 to the curb.

My own collaborations with other creatives in my circle have produced led me to direct my attentions to their creative endeavors these include Irene Javors and Matthew Snows beautiful children’s book based on my Manx cat, Kelpie, Kelpie’s Bells available on Amazon and Book Baby

sex, love, relationships, dance, Romaine Brooks, Saint Sabastian, Paris, 1900 — Dwarf (D’Annunzio) shoots arrows at a fair-haired Ida Rubenstein.

This year the Ballet Russe is on the scene celebrating its centennial. Ida Rubenstein, Romaine’s lover, was a star of the ballet who electrified Paris with her sensational performances. The triangle that emerged between Romaine, Gabriele D’Annunzio, and Ida was almost as spectacular as the opulent staging of the Ballet Russe’s Cleopatre and Scheherezade.

Brooks satirized the relationship by presenting D’Annunzio’s thwarted desires in this scathing parody after her breakup with D’Annunzio. Her revenge — she invited him to her studio to see the painting. We don’t know what transpired between the two of them; only that the friendship continued, albeit on a different basis, for the rest of their lives.

I go into this in much more depth and analysis in my forthcoming book, Romaine Brooks: A Life.

D’Annunzio’s Folly

The Ballet Russe Affair