Straight James / Gay James by James Franco is a chapbook of poetry by the actor and filmmaker. The collection starts with a variety of poems centered on Southern California and Hollywood seemingly trying to channel the spirit of Jim Morrison. Perhaps the centerpiece of the collection is a conversational poem between straight James Franco and gay James Franco. In real life, Franco is ambiguous and private when it comes to his sexuality. This lengthy poem does little to clarify the matter and perhaps does more to obscure the matter. All in all good collection of free verse poetry geared towards the Franco fan. Myself, with little knowledge of the man, was able to maintain interest throughout the short collection. ( )

2016 Reading Challenge #15: A book written by a celebrity.

James Franco's negotiations with the publisher:
—I would like to publish my book.
—Can't do. It sucks.
—But I'm James Franco. I'm famous.
—Say no more, 10000 copies.

At least that's how I imagine it went. Because seriously, this is not good.

Straight James/Gay James it's like the diary of a teenager, a rich and oh-so-misunderstood teenager: really bad poetry and lots of egocentric meanderings. And that's after being edited.

"This is a poem about Lana Del Rey.
This is an essay about Lana Del Rey.
Lana has become my friend."

Oh, well... ( )

Except for the three "Brothers" poems, which are decent/bordering on good, the verse in Straight James/Gay James is leaden and the topics inane.

I have long suspected that James Franco needs a full-time keeper; this volume confirms my suspicions.

Received via NetGalley. ( )