 |
|
The History of Provincetown
Written and illustrated by Susan Baker
Verve Editions
$20.00
In a beautifully illustrated book dedicated to "those who came, couldn't park, and left," Susan Baker chronicles both the history and folklore of that seasonal community mecca, Provincetown, Massachusetts.
In the introduction to The History of Provincetown, town resident John Skoyles writes that Baker's book "captures the cockeyed, tilted spirit of Provincetown, along with some likely as well as deadly facts." That spirit is most apparent in the 50 anecdotes for which she offers illustrations; the tales come from a variety of sources including literature, P'town residents, and even Baker's husband, poet Keith Althaus.
Her art is reminiscent of that found at the Bread and Puppet Circus, and her palette of rich colors is similar to those used by Westford artist Frank Larson. Her colorful art is playful, childlike, and entertaining.
In settings such as the Pied Piper, Spiritus Pizza, the Boatslip, and the P'town dunes, Baker's book tells stories of sea monsters at Herring Cove, the AIDS epidemic, the great fire, and Carnivale. She also chronicles celebrated P'town visits from stars including Tennessee Williams, Tony Perkins, Roy Cohn, John Waters, Judy Garland, Norman Mailer, Grace Paley, Marvelous Marvin Haggler, and Wayland Flowers & Madame.
One could probably question the truth of some of the P'town legends that Baker documents. But why bother? The History of Provincetown is fun, beautifully illustrated, and a must-have for both tourists and "year-rounders."
