promoting the works of Paul and Jane Bowles in the written, musical and theatre forms and working with caring attitude towards helping people in need in Morocco The definitive unofficial fan site for people who like Paul and Jane Bowles Visited by people who like Paul and Jane Bowles from more than 119 countries This site has been online since May 1st 2000 Copyright Notice All content on this page is the work of The International Paul Bowles Society and has previously been published in our printed publications ©The International Paul Bowles Society, 2007 The Legend and The Legacy Paul Bowles: his legend and his works Introduction When we speak of the legacy of Paul Bowles we refer to the extensive body of his written works and composed music published during his lifetime and any previously unpublished material of Paul Bowles that is published by his Estate after his passing on. This point is well understood in academic circles. People make reference to the work of all authors in this way. Some examples of this are 'the Shakespeare legacy' and 'the Dickens legacy'. Thus the frame of reference in this respect is unambiguous and may be understood by all. Unfortunately, this point is not always understood in public and an inadvertent blurring between a person's legend and a person's legacy may occur. This matters to us and is the primary purpose of this page: to separate the legend of Paul Bowles from his legacy. There are no websites (including this one or any other), photographs, friends or anything else that contribute to the legacy of Paul Bowles. This is a shockingly true statement. The legacy of Paul Bowles is forever bound only in his written works and composed music. People can only pay homage to Paul by remembering him as a person, a composer or an author. They can do this with words and photographs in books, magazines, the internet or wherever else they choose. By doing so they may or may not contribute to his legend. People who positively discuss and expose the works of Paul Bowles in books, magazines, the internet or wherever else are promoting (but not adding to) his legacy. When these points are understood everything becomes clear. The Legend of Paul Bowles legend: a person having a special place in popular opinion for their striking qualities or deeds, real or fictitious; the body of fact and fiction gathered round such a person (The Chambers Dictionary) Paul Bowles became a legend in his own time, while living quietly in Tangier, Morocco. Since his passing, Paul has taken on an even greater iconic status. There have long been hobbyist websites that fall into the honorable tradition of fan-publication. These sites are interesting and appealing because they are made by enthusiasts who spend a lot of time in their efforts to share their interest with other people. The International Paul Bowles Society started out in this way in May 2000 as 'The Paul Bowles Society of Friends'. Later in the year, thanks to all of the encouragement we received from friends of Paul Bowles (including Mr. Joseph McPhillips III, the Executor of the Estate of Paul Bowles) and people around the world, we became an organisation which evolved to include all of the initiated real life activities, outside of the internet, that we have today. We do not seek a place in the legend of Paul Bowles. However, there are some people, in afterthought (and years after Paul's passing) who desire to promote themselves as a glorious part of the legend of Paul Bowles; hence the recent and sudden internet rush of self-promoting dialog, photographs, gossip, hearsay, diatribe and hyperbole. Some of these are people who previously knew very little about the actual works of Paul Bowles (but became fast learners, mostly through this website, which they visit almost every day) and who woke up one day and years later to discover that they are desperate to seek a place in the legend of Paul Bowles at all and any cost. There's nothing wrong with stories, reminiscences and photographs, of course. We even have a few on this website. Those who have gone into print and published such material have always correctly exerted their own authorship copyright on their work, and not that of Paul Bowles. Personal stories and photographs can be interesting and often enjoyable to hear and see, but at the end of the day that's what they are and will remain: ephemeral stories and photographs. All of this may or may not add to the legend of Paul Bowles - but certainly not to his legacy. The two are very different things. The Legacy of Paul Bowles The legacy of Paul Bowles lies in the extensive body of his written works and composed music and not in other people's commentary. Where the accounts differ between what Paul said in print concerning his works, friendships etc and what other people say about his views on such things, The International Paul Bowles Society points to the relevant section of Paul's body of work as the last word on the subject, if it is brought to our attention and we are asked for our comments. We do so for the purpose of clarity. We know of one case in point of an unwitting attempt to eliminate an extensively documented lifelong friendship of Paul Bowles with the stroke of a single sentence. On a more positive note, there has been much literary criticism on the works of Paul Bowles and most of this can be extremely helpful in directing the reader into a better understanding and greater perspective of his works. Some of this work is quite outstanding in both scope and content and we have a page of recommended reading in this respect. Nevertheless, none of this is the legacy of Paul Bowles. It is commentary on and exposition of his works by other authors and is intended as such. The legacy of Paul Bowles through his creative works is for all of us to enjoy. We can savor his music, novels, short stories and poetry at our leisure and talk about it as and when we like. We too can let it come down in the hours after noon and have a picnic cantata, then visit the spider's house, see a hundred camels in the courtyard and participate in the delights of classic dream equipment. All it takes is a little imagination. Paul has left it all for us to enjoy. People who expound or talk positively about the works of Paul Bowles are promoting his legacy; whether they do it knowingly or unknowingly. In this context, The International Paul Bowles Society is primarily concerned with promoting the public legacy of Paul Bowles: all of his published works, in musical and written form which were published during his lifetime. We are not connected in any way with any organisation or the heirs of the Estate of Paul Bowles. We do, of course, make mention of Paul's (and Jane's) biography, travels, earlier friendly and professional contacts and noteworthy events. Please click here for more information about the aims and activities of The International Paul Bowles Society. Thank you, Paul Bowles, for leaving us such a rich legacy to enjoy. The Directors of The International Paul Bowles Society May 2003 Home ©The International Paul Bowles Society, 2007 Promoting the life and work of Paul and Jane Bowles