READ THIS: Private Dreams of Public People by Lauren Lawrence

Recently Peachy Deegan met Lauren Lawrence at Scully and Scully and we were intrigued by her profession of being a dream writer.  In Private Dreams of Public People, Lauren Lawrence successfully interprets the real dreams of many famous people from Literary Dreamers to Entrepreneurial Dreamers to Society Dreamers, and many more.  With the New Year upon us, perhaps it is time to look inward and give some thought to what our subconscious may be telling us.

Back when Peachy Deegan was at Miss Porter's School during the month of January, a special term called Winterim existed separate from the first and second semester, (and sadly no longer does exist) and we distinctly remember a class being offered on dream interpretation, although we did not have the chance to take it (we took many other interesting classes, and subsequently internships including Peachy's first stint in journalism.)   After reading this book, we feel like we got the crash course.  In each circumstance in Private Dreams of Public People, the dream is stated, whether told to Lawrence directly or sourced otherwise, and she interprets it.  Each is not only interesting to each personality individually, but also interesting to the application of dreams interpreted as a whole, so the reader may discover some parallels to his/her own dreams.  This is truly a unique work that adds value on both an entertainment level and an analytical level.  

We will touch on a few that left an impression on us and tell you just enough to be intrigued, so you will want to read the book.

Among the profiles that struck us the most included:

*George Plimpton

Who doesn't still dream about an exam or test that they forgot about?  Or worse yet, the dreaded pop quiz (Peachy still has that dream about her Physics class-just awful).  Lauren Lawrence says this is a caffeine dream: an anxiety-provoking dream that is a powerful stimulant that keeps dreamers on their toes.

*Elvis Presley

Who knew Elvis had a twin who visited him in his dreams?

*Candace Bushnell

A fabulous person from the greater Hartford area who came to New York (another is Katharine Hepburn), Bushnell has nightmares that blood is coming out of her mouth.  Lawrence says this is hot and gutsy and it is her essence as a writer spilling forth.

*Emanuel Ungaro
Of course, he is dreaming about his next fashion show.  What makes it interesting is that his dream came to life!  Read Lauren's detailed analysis....and listen and follow your dreams too!

*Carmen

How timely to think of a dream of winter where one is sitting on a park bench...but Carmen is sitting on one in her dream with her deceased father.    Lawrence says even in winter you can find warmth through relationships.

*Paul McCartney

Although we didn't get into the dream class, we did get into The Beatles class during Winterim, wonderfully taught by John Eels.  "Yesterday" came to Paul in a dream, and in our class we learned he heard the tune to the words "Scrambled Eggs."  Lawrence makes interesting comments on discovery dreams and how they reveal the creativity of the subconscious.

*Andy Warhol

He dreamt of Marilyn Monroe coming back from the dead.  This is one of the longer dreams in the book-and one of the most interesting and complex we think.

*Diane Von Furstenberg

She dreams of an Egyptian temple, and we were struck by this as this past September her show set WAS an Egyptian temple.  A dream coming true?

*Helena Christensen

She dreams she was Hitler's mistress but she mad him die first.   She is above male victimization says Lauren Lawrence, among other notable things.

*Nan Kempner

Oh how we loved the exhibit of her closet at The Met a few years ago.  And we love how in her dream she is on the Concorde drinking champagne; as Lauren Lawrence says, Nan was living her dream.

*Brooke Astor

We find it interesting that Astor evokes a thought of the dead living through the thoughts of the living, and that it is through her grandmother.  Just look to the right to see Peachy Deegan's late grandmother's pictures.

Finally on page 182, Lauren Lawrence states some declinations.  They are hilarious!

Whom You Know recommends Private Dreams of Public People.  This will be among the most interesting books you will encounter!   It is great for cocktail party conversation and more.

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Assouline; illustrated edition edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2843233399
• ISBN-13: 978-2843233395