Art Garfunkel's Bookends

In August 1973, having just finished reading Thomas Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, a 502 page edition published in 1902, Art Garfunkel, one half of the Simon and Garfunkel singing duo started reading Irving Bieber's Homosexuality, a Psychoanalytic Survey. This is a 319 page book published in 1955.

History doesn't record if Mr Garfunkel found this book interesting. But I do know that later in the month he turned to The Immoralist, Gide's 171 page book.

I know this because, together with a fan based in Levittown, he has compiled a list of every book he has read since June 1968. And the Garfunkel Library is available on the internet for you to browse.

Odd it may be. But also, I must say, pretty compelling.

Incidentally the picture that accompanies this post was taken in July 1981. I know this because he is reading The Powers That Be by David Halberstam.

Comments

[Peter Briffa]

Curious, this. He released an album named after a character from Tess in September that year - Angel Clare - which rather suggests the title came first, and Mr. Garfunkel suddenly realised he ought to read the book to find out what all the fuss was about.

http://www.amazon.com/Angel-Clare-Art-Garfunkel/dp/B0000024YW

And why hasn't he read any books since 2003?

[Ken]

Odd? Are you sure? Why is this any less odd than knowing, say, the library of Thomas Jefferson or John Adams? Those have been very useful in helping historians piece together their influences and thought processes. If it's good enough for Presidents, why shouldn't we have an interest for pop stars?