Only Lovers Left Alive (novel)

Only Lovers Left Alive is a 1964 dystopian fiction novel by Dave Wallis. It describes a near-future society in which all adults have committed suicide and teenagers are able to run wild. With its theme of youth in charge and out of control, the book hit a chord with the emerging counter-culture, and a film adaptation starring the Rolling Stones and directed by Nicholas Ray was planned in the mid-1960s.[1]

For the 2013 vampire film, see Only Lovers Left Alive.

First edition (publ. Anthony Blond)

Publication

Wallis was an English writer working as a supply teacher, with two previous novels, and he was in his late 40s when it came out. After being rejected by his previous publisher Heinemann, Only Lovers Left Alive was published by Anthony Blond with a print run of 10,000 copies, high for a comparatively unknown author. US paperback rights were sold for US$25,000.[2]

Plot

All adults have committed suicide, and teenagers are left to their own devices. Gangs war with each other, while more sensible teens try to establish a new society.

Response

The Observer praised the novel's first half for linking the teenagers' destructiveness to the violence of present-day society, but found it tended towards an adventure novel full of cliche and sensationalism.[3] Kirkus said "characters are perfectly banal and the author's imagination pedestrian".[4] The New York Times called the book's premise "irresistible".[5]

Cultural influence

The novel gained a cultural importance, being viewed as a symbol of the rising power of teenagers in popular culture.[6] It was banned by Irish censors in 1966.[7]

It was considered as a possible film project for the Rolling Stones in the mid-1960s, with Nicholas Ray possibly to direct in 1966.[8][9] Ray's involvement only lasted a few weeks of trans-Atlantic travel and press conferences.[10] According to Billboard, Andrew Loog Oldham and Allen Klein were to produce, and the band would have received US$1 million.[11]

The novel lent its title to the 1981 album by The Wanderers, a new wave act featuring Stiv Bators and Dave Tregunna (both later of The Lords of the New Church),[12] a The (International) Noise Conspiracy song, and a 2006 song by English band The Long Blondes. The Pet Shop Boys' 1993 song "Dreaming of the Queen" also references the novel's title, as does the 1976 Horslips song "Sword of Light". Marco Pirroni of Adam and the Ants named a record label after the book.[13] It is also reported as having been a favorite book of Doors singer Jim Morrison.[14] A 2013 film directed by Jim Jarmusch appropriates the same title, but is not an adaptation of the Wallis novel. KMFDM's 2017 album, Hell Yeah, features a song, "Only Lovers", that mentions the title of the book in its chorus.

References
  1. Bisbort, Alan (27 February 2018). "THE GREATEST ROCK & ROLL MOVIE NEVER MADE". Please Kill Me Online. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. Paul Ferris, "The New Men", The Observer; Jun 7, 1964, p 23
  3. Wardle, Irving, "The Day of the Teenagers", The Observer; Jun 21, 1964 (via ProQuest)
  4. "Only Lovers Left Alive", Kirkus Reviews, September 16, 1964
  5. Stern, Daniel (18 October 1964). "Nothing Really Changes – Only Lovers Left Alive. By Dave Wallis". New York Times. p. BR44. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. Catalina Gallo Rojas, "Por siempre joven", El Tiempo (Bogota, Colombia) - Sunday, 28 June 2009
  7. "27 books banned by censors", The Irish Times; Feb 23, 1966; p 9
  8. Emma Love, "Silenced cinema", Independent Extra (Brighton), November 17, 2009, p 14
  9. Patrick Humphries, "Music: Bring back the clowns", The Guardian (UK), October 11, 1996, page T12
  10. Patrick McGilligan, Nicholas Ray: The Glorious Failure of an American Director, HarperCollins, 12 Jul 2011, pp 449-450
  11. "From the Music Capitals of the World: Los Angeles", Billboard 21 May 1966
  12. "Footnote Archives: Conspiracy theories abound with Wanderers", Goldmine, 10 March 2009
  13. James Ellis, "Marco Pirroni", Metro (UK)
  14. Stephen Davis, Jim Morrison: Life, Death, Legend, Random House, 31 Aug 2011, p49
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