On October 16, 2017, MB Books, LLC, (MB Books) announced that the third and final installment of Quentin Crisp’s autobiography, The Last Word (formerly titled Dusty Answers), would be published worldwide on November 21, 2017. The publication date coincides with the eighteen-year anniversary of Crisp’s passing, which occurred on November 21, 1999. The Last Word is now available in softcover and as an e-book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The Last Word was written by Crisp with the help of his best friend, Phillip Ward, who tape-recorded and later transcribed Quentin’s words between 1997-1999. Upon his death, Quentin left the rights and responsibility to publish The Last Word to Phillip, who later enlisted former Pink News features writer Laurence Watts to help edit the resulting manuscript.
Whereas The Naked Civil Servant made Crisp famous and How To Become A Virgin detailed that fame and his move to and life in New York, The Last Word was written by a man who knew the end was near. The Last Word is Crisp’s goodbye to the world, an opportunity for him to have the last word.
Media wishing to cover The Last Word’s publication can request an interview with Phillip Ward and/or an electronic media pack including an advanced copy to review. Interested parties should contact him here at Facebook or via email at mrward@crisperanto.org.
About Quentin Crisp
Quentin Crisp (Dec 25, 1908 - Nov 21, 1999) was an English-born writer, actor, eccentric and raconteur. He became famous from the publication of his 1968 autobiography The Naked Civil Servant, which chronicled the oppression he faced as a homosexual in England before, during and after World War II, when being gay was illegal, as well as his careers as a book designer, prostitute and artist’s model. The Naked Civil Servant later became an award-winning film starring John Hurt.
Crisp performed a one-man show, An Evening With Quentin Crisp, which he toured nationally and internationally and which won an L.A. Drama Critic’s Circle award. Crisp moved to New York at the age of 72 where he wrote books on style, culture and manners, appeared in numerous films, published a second autobiography, How To Become A Virgin, and became the inspiration for Sting’s hit song, An Englishman In New York. In 1993 he became the first-ever presenter of Channel 4’s Alternative Christmas Message in the UK. Dinner with Crisp, whose telephone number was listed in the local telephone directory and who never turned down an invitation to dine, was often called “The best show in New York”. Frequently in demand from journalists as a social commentator, Crisp frequently proffered contrarian views.
