Dancing Ledge

This edition was published in 1991. It is autobiography of Derek Jarman's early life. He openly talks about his sexuality, his typical middle class upbringing, boarding school, parents, training in art at the Slade school and his sexual encounters with men in his early days. The first chapter opens with his research on Caravaggio for his film. While he was working on his film, he recalled and wrote about his past in the most vivid and moving manner. I found one needs to read this book before his later autobiographical books titled in order; At Your Own Risk (published after Dancing Ledge), and Kicking the Pricks (this book includes a series of interviews he had while he was alive). Above all, this 1991 edition includes his black and white paintings, and photos from his films, behind the scene and it is beautifully written and highly recommend it to the fans of Jarman as well as people who are interested in making art films and queer history.

An utterly magnificent portrait of a man in his time and prime. 'Dancing Ledge' is brim full of the most wonderful characters from the artistic scene of the 1960s and '70s - and Derek Jarman brings them to life with a pen that's finely honed to pick up every detail and nuance.A prophet is never understood in his own country - or words to that effect. Jarman has always been a bit of an outsider, and that is probably his greatest strength. His writing bubbles with wit and subversion. His powers of observation are second to none. And he has the most wonderful command of language.The world was a poorer place when Derek Jarman died, but his written work (quite apart from his paintings and designs) will be his monument - a testament to a freer and perhaps more exciting age than our own has become in recent years.'Dancing Ledge' is well worth having - and once you've read it, you'll most likely want the rest of his literate, entertaining, and moving output. Go get.