Mexican Stand Off

[Cordley]

In my extreme youth I met two authors working the edges of the Multiverse while in Mexico B.Travern and Robert Barlow. Travern was a bright almost pixey like; Barlow dark hooded and dangerous.
My grandmother was smitten by Travern and repelled but drawn towards Barlow. She was quite disturbed when Barlow was found minus his heart, they said.
Travern allowed no photos. But was very almost merry, he hung with Harold Davis in San Fillippi Oaxaca. Have you run across theses two writers?

[timeras]

young Barlow and old Travern

[greengryphon]

Have been googling, curiosity...another cat pelt lies on the floor.

B. Trave(r)n sounds like an interesting fellow...

What was your experience with/impression of him?


I found this quote,


"My life belongs to me - only my books belong to the public."

Did you find him to be elusive, or were you really too young to know?

...or do you believe...


“The biography of a creative man is completely unimportant.” – B. Traven

[Cordley]

He was very light person, easy, never pushed when around literary types. My grandmother who'd been in Spain in the thirties called him a real anarchist. His buddies were the band master who he'd shipped out with. There was friction with Frank Waters and Sequerios, the artist-assassin. Davis used to mix people.

Barlow frightened me. There are several men of power like him and I get uneasy around them. Tim Leary was like that. I was ten when I met Barlow and twelve with Traven.
My grandma was a photographer for Black Star, her model was Tina Mollentti (sp.) She'd gone out with Ed Weston.

[greengryphon]

Thanks for the reply..., the names are flooding out. Perhaps Michael will have more knowledge on the background of these people, I do recognise Tim Leary though. I'm guessing it was their intensity that made you feel uncomfortable, and that it wasnt sinister?

[Michael Moorcock]

I found Leary a bit batty but not especially overwhelming. Must have something to do with one's perspective.

[greengryphon]

I would call it untrammelled enthusiasm, which can send a few bats flying. i.e. there are always ego issues I guess.


The fact that I believe he was trying to change human consciousness for the good of society aswell as self is good enough for me.