I just finished reading Doug Probst’s powerful new book, Mayotte: The Musings of a Narcissist, by musician, songwriter and model Doug Probst. It’s a searing, brutally honest, no-holds barred autobiographical memoir that chronicles his tumultuous and abusive early family life, the abuse he endured in Catholic Boys homes and how at seventeen he finds himself alone and having to survive on the streets of Long Beach in 1982. He so eloquently writes about the dawning of the AIDS crisis (before it even had a name). A talented musician and songwriter, he writes about some of the great musicians he met and worked with including Billy Preston, Neil Young, Dan Hartman, James Ingram and many others I especially loved his amazing story about his first concert he ever attended at The Long Beach Arena, Aerosmith and AC/DC where he recalls Bon Scott carrying Angus Young on his shoulders through the crowd and how they stopped right in front of his seat and played in the aisle. He recalls how it was a life changing moment. Of his love for music, he says “Some say music helps them cope with the fear of dying. For me, music helped me cope with the terror of living”
Though many of the experiences he went through are emotionally wrenching, he often writes about them with great sardonic humor. In the book he tells the powerful story of how in 2007, as one of the lead spokespersons in the Los Angeles County Child Sexual Assault Case against the L.A. Catholic Archdiocese. The story centers around a meeting that he had with Archbishop Cardinal Roger Mahony when the negotiations were stalled. He writes “When Mahony said, “I don't know what to do, Doug — we don't have the money,” I answered, “Sell the cathedral that you're building. Aren't our lives worth more?” he asks Mahony while tears are streaming down his face but Mahony was unmoved. He then writes “I felt like joking, “Well, if you won't give us anything, will you at least validate my parking?” Three days later, they settled with us for $660 million dollars. I take pride in that my argument with him was slightly responsible,
It’s this kind of honesty and in your face writing that makes the book so compelling and such a good read.
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About the author
A Hero
Despite all the horrors he went through growing up Doug Probst decided to go public & relive his life. Awful parents, & a broken system that inflicted more hurt then helped. Like so many of the "lost Boys" who were tossed on the streets he turned to Physique modeling, Gay Adult films & prostitution to survive. He was blessed to have skills as a musician, composer & singer. Drugs took their toll. Along the way he meet good folks who helped him. But he was saved by having a son & his inner goodness took over & he became a great Father. This book I would hope will give hope to other "Lost Boys" that they can survive. I hope many will buy his book & will write a review to say how it affected them.
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Top reviews from other countries
- danny bReviewed in Canada on December 28, 2023
Mayotte: The Musings Of A Narcissist
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - sven 7venReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2021
I Cannot Recommend More Highly
