Buy Polymath, or the Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman

Polymath, or the Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delany, Gentleman

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Synopsis

This candid documentary depicts one of the most powerful intellects and colorful characters in the world of literature today. Samuel R. Delaney is the author of several noted science fiction novels and a relentless sex cruiser.

Review

The man they call Santa Claus on the street, he’s had 35 books published, teaches creative writing at Temple University -- and claims to have had over 50,000 sexual partners so far. Samuel (Chip) Delany is a fascinating man of contradictions as this engrossing documentary by Fred Barney Taylor attests. Fusing meditative imagery with Delany’s ramblings, home movies, readings and even a film he made, The Polymath is as intellectually curious as its subject is.

Born in Harlem in 1942, Delany tells in vivid detail his experiences as a writer, teacher and gay sexual explorer. Among his staggeringly diverse body of work are the noted science fiction novels “Dhalgren,” “Nova” and “Babel-17.” Opening with his life story, Delany tells of an ordinary day as a young writer in New York City. He’d alternate writing with cruising for sex on the streets, in parks and in subway restrooms; and his memories of the trucks on the West Side and the orgy room at The Everard Baths are recounted with impressive sharpness. A strong portrait of a freethinking intellect, The Polymath will expose new readers to his brilliant body of work.

-- Scott Cranin

Keywords

African-American/People of Color, Documentary/Documentaries, Gay Male, Gay/Lesbian, Sexuality: Gay Male, Urban Lifestyle, Writer/Writing

Genres

Documentary

Customer Reviews

An In-Depth Documentary

Amos Lassen wrote on 12/08/2009:

“The Polymath, or the Life and Opinions of Samuel R. Delaney, Gentleman”

An In-Depth Documentary

Amos Lassen

Samuel Delaney fits the definition of an intellectual and he is also one of the most colorful writers that is working today. His work is primarily science fiction and he has had over 35 books published in his 67 year old lifetime. He is an educator, teaching writing at Temple University and he also boasts that he has had over 50,000 sexual partners (and he is still alive and kicking). Known by the nickname of Chip he is man who is full of contradiction and he maintains his intellectual curiosity (where he finds time with 50,000 partners is beyond me).
The documentary looks at Delaney as a writer, a teacher and as a sexual being. We learn of a typical day in the life of Delaney and we hear of his non-ending quest for sex as he cruised public rest rooms and parks. He tells us about the trucks on the West Side and reminds us of what went on at the baths in the good old days. Delaney hides nothing as he speaks with candor about his life and we learn a great deal from him. Watching the movie, I felt as if we had been sitting together at a bar sharing a drink. He gives us America after the second World War with a gay twist that is fascinating. As intellectually curious is Delaney, so is this film.