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"This
is the story of Alice, and the restaurant. But Alice didn't live
in the restaurant, she lived in the church nearby the restaurant..." An
entire generation fondly remembers Arlo Guthrie's song Alice's Restaurant
and director Arthur Penn's film of the same name. In the song's mixture
of whimsy and anger, moral outrage and absurdist humor, disaffected and
disillusioned young people recognized themselves and their own responses
to American life -- Arlo was their collective voice and the church-home
of Alice was the setting. Millions of people remember watching the
film and dreaming of being a part of the counter-cultural community that
found freedom and friendship in its sanctuary. Arlo, Alice and Anglicans:
The Lives of a New England Church is the first book to recount the
story of the simple wooden structure that went on to Woodstock-era fame
after its deconsecration and what that building meant to the communities
it served. |
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On
the surface, it may seem that an Episcopalian congregation from turn of
the century New England has little in common with the rebellious youths
in the movie Alice's Restaurant. Yet there is much they share. Each
group had its dream of the future, a dream which, for a time, drew people
to this same sacred place. They sang songs and told stories that spoke
of their common views. Together they celebrated their victories,
mourned their passages and leaned on one another in times of trouble. Then,
all too suddenly, times changed; the communities disbanded; the building
remained an empty shell for a new community to give it a new life. There
are few churches that have so many distinct and fascinating rebirths. Assisted
by first-hand accounts from Arlo, Alice, director Arthur Penn, friends,
neighbors and former church members, Laura Lee relates the real and poignant
story of the church where it all happened and in so doing reveals the complete
true story behind Alice's Restaurant. The book offers Arlo's fans
an intimate glimpse of his life and work today, both musically and with
the non-profit organization and interfaith spiritual center that are now
housed in the famous church that he "had to buy." Includes fifty photos,
many never before published. |
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