Life Interrupted

August 1, 2005
Perhaps best known for his first theatrical monologue, 1985's Swimming to Cambodia
(which later became a surprisingly successful film, directed by Jonathan Demme), Gray followed Cambodia
with many more autobiographical performances, including Monster in a Box
and Slippery Slope
(and many film appearances) until his suicide at age 62 in spring 2004. A traumatic automobile accident in 2001 had left him severely depressed—this, and the hospital stay that followed, is the subject of the unfinished monologue that makes up only a short part of this memorial volume. Introduced by novelist Francine Prose in a graceful essay citing Gray's "unlikely and hilarious pilgrim's progress," the book includes short eulogies by some of Gray's many friends in memorial services at Lincoln Center and in Sag Harbor, his home. Many are from figures in the world of books and publishing—his agent, Suzanne Gluck; novelist A.M. Homes; essayist Roger Rosenblatt—others from show biz, like Laurie Anderson, John Perry Barlow, Eric Bogosian, Eric Stoltz and many more. This is an unusual book to put out as a trade edition and indicates the affection and esteem Gray commanded.

August 15, 2005
Approximately four years ago, actor/monologist Gray and his wife, Kathie, were seriously injured in a car accident in Ireland. While his physical wounds were grave, his mental ones were even graver: after suffering three years of severe depression, he committed suicide in March 2004. "Life Interrupted", Gray's work in progress at the time of his death, is the story of the accident and the bizarre near -Monty Pythonish time he spent in an Irish hospital. Like his other works (e.g., "Swimming to Cambodia"), the monolog is written with a New Englander's wry sense of humor, only this time there is an underlying current of white-hot anger at the fates that robbed the author of health and self-confidence. Also included are a short story and a love letter to New York City that Gray read at his final performance. Then, wrenchingly, the book ends with eulogies that were delivered at services held in Gray's memory. Recommended for all collections, particularly those that have Gray's other volumes. -Larry Schwartz, Minnesota State Univ. Lib., Moorhead

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2005
Gray turned every odd twist and turn of his life into material for his famous, influential monologues. His experiences on the set of " The Killing Fields" became " Swimming to Cambo"dia. His attempts to buy a vacation home became " Monster" " in a Box." It seems oddly natural, if vaguely unsettling, that, a year after his suicide, a new piece entitled " Life Inter"rupted should appear. It doesn't chronicle Gray's wild afterlife, however, but is instead a brief recounting of experiences immediately before and after a life-threatening automobile accident in Ireland in summer 2001. Of course, Gray would have added to the monologue in performance; that was his practice. Still, as is, this compact story is witty, insightful, fascinating, and free of the wounded, annoying narcissism that crept into many of his recent pieces. Published with it here are a poignant short story and a fine portrait of New York City, as well as eulogies delivered at memorial services by such notables as Laurie Anderson and John Perry Barlow.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)