When embarking on the journey of writing a book, finding the perfect opening line can be a daunting task. For author Clifford Thurlow, this challenge was central to the creation of his book, Sex, Surrealism, Dali and Me. This book delves into the complex and unique friendship between the renowned surrealist painter Salvador Dalí and his long-time friend and muse, Colombian dancer Carlos Lozano. The narrative demanded a style that mirrored the eccentricities of its subjects, blending Dalí’s surrealist visions with the magical realism of South America. Thurlow had conducted extensive research on Dalí and recorded twenty hours of interviews with Lozano, who had since retired to open an art gallery in the Spanish fishing village of Cadaqués, a place deeply connected to Dalí’s life.
After poring over his notes, Thurlow found himself facing a significant writer’s block. He sought inspiration through long walks in the park and repeated listening to Vivaldi’s Cessate Omai Cessate. This period of creative stagnation lasted for two days.
The Breakthrough
On the third day, Thurlow awoke with a line firmly imprinted in his mind, so potent it felt like a mantra he didn’t need to jot down. After his morning routine of muesli and a ritualistic mug of coffee, he sat down in his office, opened the relevant file, and began to write the book’s opening:
Dali dear…
They drank champagne the day you died.
This discovery marked the moment he had found the essential tone and essence of the book. The deliberate choice of “Dali dear,” rather than “Dear Dali,” remains a mystery, but it felt intrinsically right. This opening immediately presents the reader with a compelling enigma: who are “they,” and why would they celebrate the death of such an iconic artist? The narrative unfolds gradually, answering these questions through an elegiac prose that Thurlow anticipated would elicit strong, albeit divided, reactions from readers.
The title, Sex, Surrealism, Dali and Me, originated as a working title but ultimately resonated and remained. It encapsulates the book’s core themes: Dalí’s personal life, including his inclinations towards voyeurism rather than direct sexual engagement; Surrealism, a movement intertwined with political commentary, dreams, and the irrational juxtaposition of imagery; and the “Me,” representing Lozano’s unique, almost magical perspective on Dalí.
Reception and Realization
The writing process for the book spanned eight months. Its initial publication in the UK in 2000 was met with a wave of reviews, predominantly negative. Thurlow observed that the English public, unlike other English-speaking nations, seemed unreceptive to Dalí, often perceiving his eccentricity as a sign of deceit or charlatanism.
However, a year later, the book found a more receptive audience in Spain when it was published by RBA Libros. Translator Claudio Molinari masterfully captured the story’s ambience and “taste,” leading to overwhelmingly positive Spanish reviews. The book, retitled Sexo, Surrealismo, Daly y Yo, remained on the best-seller lists for seventeen weeks.
This experience led Thurlow to a crucial realization: the initial failure in the UK was not a reflection of the work’s quality or a misjudgment of style. Instead, it highlighted the unpredictable nature of a book finding its intended audience and timing. Thurlow’s advice to fellow writers is to trust their intuition and write from the heart, rather than being overly influenced by market trends.
A Second Life
Sex, Surrealism, Dali and Me initially seemed destined to fade into obscurity. However, a decade later, a new publisher, YellowBay, acquired the rights. They reissued the book in paperback and produced an audio version narrated by radio performer Pete Nottage, whose performance successfully conveyed the intended mood of the original text. Like a resilient olive tree sending out new shoots, the book experienced a resurgence, gaining traction on Amazon and receiving renewed, and this time more positive, reviews. This renewed interest allowed the work to finally connect with readers who appreciated its unique blend of art, biography, and personal reflection.
You can purchase the book here: https://bookgoodies.com/a/B005HRYCWI
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