Richard Hell's Displeasure Over Intimate Memoir's Cult Status

The memoir 'A Year on Earth With Mr. Hell' has unexpectedly risen to fame, drawing the attention of the artistic community with its candid portrayal of a romantic liaison with punk rock pioneer Richard Hell. However, the subject of the memoir, Mr. Hell himself, is not flattered by the notoriety.

A Cult Favorite Emerges

Self-published and increasingly popular, 'A Year on Earth With Mr. Hell' has caught on through enthusiastic whispers in the arts scene. The novel's explicit sexual content has been praised by figures like Nick Hornby and Greil Marcus for its compelling depiction of intimacy.

The Woman Behind the Words

The author, Young Kim, previously involved with Malcolm McLaren, found her next muse in Richard Hell, another stalwart of the punk rock era. Her book, which covers the steamy first ten months of her affair with Hell, has garnered attention not just from readers but also from establishments like the Standard, High Line hotel, which has capitalized on its sexy content.

The Muse's Unease

Despite inspiring the memoir, Richard Hell categorically disapproves of it, labeling it 'revenge porn.' The book, which shares a dedication to both McLaren and Hell, has become a point of controversy between its author and her former lover.

First Meeting to Lasting Impressions

Kim's encounter with Hell at the Performa biennial in 2015 forms the starting point of her passionate narrative. Her vivid depiction of Hell's charisma sets the tone for the rest of the memoir, a tone that has enamored many readers, if not Hell himself.

memoir, cult, controversy