The Urban Hermitt

[Review originally published in 2003 on NewPages.com]

In this book, the Hermitt spins a collection of related tales about his search for meaning and identity in his life. During his quest, he takes drugs, obsessively listens to certain techno and indie rock bands, and interacts with a revolving cast of fascinating characters. Eventually, he comes to realize that things aren't quite so easily categorized as many people would have him believe. It's an inspiring tale of the value and importance of expressing and embracing your own individuality. Hermitt's prose flows lyrically from one page to the next, open and honest in its treatment of everything from sex to neo-hippie culture. This is a unique and refreshing read, and I can't recommend it highly enough.… (mere)

I cannot find my copy!!! I cannot find the zines, either! I am so sad :( I have read most of Urban Hermitt's zines and the bound book, The Flow Chronicles, when I was in grad school. The Hermitt is not really a hermit, as her queer vegan adventures take her many places (from Oregon to Australia) as she meets many different people (crazy dumpster-divers to road-kill-eating environmentalists to skinheads to you-name-it). Sometimes the types of "alternative" politics and lives she describes, whether it be her own or those of the people she meets, were almost unbelievable to me, though I have met similar people with similar lives or have at least met people who would discuss such options (like never buying anything from a store and instead dumpster-diving for food and clothes as a non-consumerist choice). When I read the zines I always thought the language and the style of writing was unlike most zines; the storytelling was impeccable and well-edited, her language crisp, clean, and funny, and her attitude well-balanced with just the right amount of criticism and understanding towards her life choices as well as others'. I remember at some point when I went back to order the next zine (I read them well after she wrote them) I saw the bound book, which was no surprise, considering the quality of her writing and how interesting her stories were. I highly recommend all of Urban Hermitt's writings to those who are curious about radically-yet-not-so-radically different lives that one can lead in the capitalist, consumerist western world, those who like travel narratives, good story-telling, queer politics, and, uhm, interesting culinary alternatives. (Some of the zines as well as The Flow Chronicles are available from Microcosm Publishing, microcosmpublishing.com)… (mere)