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beckychristina's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
A critical reflection on the toxic tabloid and internet coverage of nine female noughties celebs.
This book read a little like an early dissertation draft to me, but it was generally written in a very accessible manner and able to surmise a cultural moment.
It’s perhaps unfair to expect Ditum to add anything new to this conversation as it’s been written on many times in recent years. I think some of the attempts to draw her own new connections and conclusions are perhaps a little tenuous.
It is, however, an interesting read, and good to reframe some pop culture memories with modern context, but I suspect there are better books on the same topic. I’m interested in recommendations if anyone has some in mind!
This book read a little like an early dissertation draft to me, but it was generally written in a very accessible manner and able to surmise a cultural moment.
It’s perhaps unfair to expect Ditum to add anything new to this conversation as it’s been written on many times in recent years. I think some of the attempts to draw her own new connections and conclusions are perhaps a little tenuous.
It is, however, an interesting read, and good to reframe some pop culture memories with modern context, but I suspect there are better books on the same topic. I’m interested in recommendations if anyone has some in mind!
emilyrosebooks's review
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
If you are a millennial, particularly a female, this was so incredibly informative and healing. Each chapter documents the rise, and often the fall, of all the 90s and 2000s icons. I remember so many of the instances referred to in this book, but looking at it through the lens of 2024 and the excellent insight of the author, paints it all in such a different light. If you were growing up and learning how to define and value yourself in this time frame, this is a must read.
_bethb's review
2.0
I was really into the idea of this book but the author didn’t really seem to actually say anything. Wanted more analysis and original thoughts. Also didn’t really like the audio narration.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
I wanted to like this much more than I did, but I've actually read books on this topic that did it a lot better. Maybe the most interesting and fresh chapter was on Jennifer Aniston, since I don't know her story as well as Britney, Paris, and others in this collection.
I think Ditum being British makes a difference–her chapter on Amy Winehouse was much stronger than those of US-based celebrities because truly, you can't understand growing up under that culture unless you're completely steeped in it (she gets close, but not close enough). My biggest quibble, though, is that she consistently mispronounces "Tila Tequila" as tie-la, not tee-la. This isn't a result of a British accent–"tea time" there is not "tie time"–and it's a VERY Googleable pronunciation. I don't get why that was allowed to slide.
I think Ditum being British makes a difference–her chapter on Amy Winehouse was much stronger than those of US-based celebrities because truly, you can't understand growing up under that culture unless you're completely steeped in it (she gets close, but not close enough). My biggest quibble, though, is that she consistently mispronounces "Tila Tequila" as tie-la, not tee-la. This isn't a result of a British accent–"tea time" there is not "tie time"–and it's a VERY Googleable pronunciation. I don't get why that was allowed to slide.