At Your Own Risk: A Saint's Testament

One of the striking themes of this book, which is in the form of diary entries, is Derek Jarman's anger not only at the homophobia of the society in which he grew up, but also with the implicit collusion which comes from social liberals who fail to take prejudice seriously: a refrain here is that 'you failed to notice the violence which was taking place around you as you hid behind the pages of your copy of The Guardian'. Looking back on the whole of his life, with touching regret at how long it took him to take himself seriously, and under the shadow of HIV/AIDS in the final decades, this is also an emotionally intelligent and humane book, full of wit and delight - more assertive than some people will find comfortable, but, for me, show more anyway, a subversive inspiration. show less

This book's virtues are its candor and its humor. A short and interesting read.