Herb Gold interview: 'elder statesman of the Beat Generation' San Francisco writer and author Herb Gold, deemed an "elder statesman of the Beat Generation," turned 90 on March 9 and celebrated with his kids and grandkids. From his book- and light-filled flat on Russian Hill, a one-bedroom walkup he calls his "Beatnik pad," the author of more than 20 books talked about the literary life, aging and social media. How do you like being called the elder statesmen of the Beat Generation? [...] I tell people that my main social life is going to funerals. What are your lasting impressions of the man? A Fulbright Fellowship sent you to Paris, where you finished your first novel, launched your literary career, and became friends with Saul Bellow. How would you feel about dating a 26-year-old? The galleys of my new book, a novel, are over there (he gestures to a desk, laden with magazines and papers). Favorite restaurants or hangouts in San Francisco? Having it stolen was a great favor, as I was spending a lot on parking tickets. What are the best and worst things about a literary career? The worst thing is that you put your head above the trenches and people will want to shoot at you. Do you use social media? When I see someone - it's always a woman - reading an actual book on the bus, I will go and congratulate her. Julian Guthrie is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
Reported by SFGate 1 day ago.
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