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pixie_d's review
4.0
Wow, this is the summer of strong women writers for me, one book after another of amazing work. This anthology started my reading binge. A great idea, to ask people the editor knew were strong writers to write on somebody they considered an icon from the 60s/early 70s. So you get a historical overview, possibly learn about some people you missed along the way, as well as a sampling of some really strong current talent. The editor does a great job of organizing the material as well, front-loading the book with what are arguably the 2 best-written essays, so it starts off with a bang. This is another short book, no reason not to pick it up and read it.
leilaniann's review
3.0
As with many collections, the quality of the essays Icon varied greatly. Danielle Henderson on bell hooks, Jill Nelson on Aretha Franklin and Justin Vivian Bond on Karen Graham were the standouts to me. Definitely made me want to read more by Henderson.
erikawynn's review
2.0
There are a few interesting essays in here but most of them are variations on "hi I like this icon now buy my book"
pattydsf's review
3.0
"I began to imagine how other writers might respond, given the chance to write about their icons, and asked some of my favorites to contribute to this book. The answers were totally unpredictable. I am stunned by the emotional intensity they have each brought to this project. I've always thought that the weirdest thing about celebrity culture is the level of intimacy we feel with people we don't know. These contributors explore the depths of such haunted relationships with disarming grace, and in the process, reveal themselves." p.14
This collection of essays has been on my shelf for months. I couldn't even remember why I had requested it from the library. Finally, I realized I had been looking for something to read that Kate Zambreno had written. Unfortunately, her essay on Kathy Acker was my least favorite. However, I may have never found this book without her participation in this project.
I have given this collection three stars because my reaction to these essays was mixed. I really couldn't read Zambreno's and Gaitskill's subject was a real surprise. I haven't thought about Linda Lovelace in decades.
However, I would have been sad not to meet both Danielle Henderson and Justin Vivian Bond. Both of them told me about their icon, but more importantly they told me about their lives. Our lives will never be similar and I want to know about people whose lives are so different from mine.
Most importantly, I got reintroduced to Hanne Blank. I had read her book, Virgin: The Untouched History and I got very bored. However, her essay on MFK Fisher deserves five stars. I wanted it to keep going. I learned some things about Fisher, and I learned more about Blank. Most importantly I learned a lot about myself.
What she had to say about being a fat woman who is interested in food pointed out some of my prejudices. I am saddened by what I learned about myself, but grateful for the insights Blank helped me understand. I hope I can remember not to be so judgmental.
I did not know all of these people's names or history before I started these essays. I am very glad to have met some new people and become reaquainted with some old friends. This collection has an intriguing theme and the authors made the most of it.
If you like meeting new people, learning about authors that you may have missed or thinking about popular culture and celebrities, these essays are for you.
This collection of essays has been on my shelf for months. I couldn't even remember why I had requested it from the library. Finally, I realized I had been looking for something to read that Kate Zambreno had written. Unfortunately, her essay on Kathy Acker was my least favorite. However, I may have never found this book without her participation in this project.
I have given this collection three stars because my reaction to these essays was mixed. I really couldn't read Zambreno's and Gaitskill's subject was a real surprise. I haven't thought about Linda Lovelace in decades.
However, I would have been sad not to meet both Danielle Henderson and Justin Vivian Bond. Both of them told me about their icon, but more importantly they told me about their lives. Our lives will never be similar and I want to know about people whose lives are so different from mine.
Most importantly, I got reintroduced to Hanne Blank. I had read her book, Virgin: The Untouched History and I got very bored. However, her essay on MFK Fisher deserves five stars. I wanted it to keep going. I learned some things about Fisher, and I learned more about Blank. Most importantly I learned a lot about myself.
What she had to say about being a fat woman who is interested in food pointed out some of my prejudices. I am saddened by what I learned about myself, but grateful for the insights Blank helped me understand. I hope I can remember not to be so judgmental.
I did not know all of these people's names or history before I started these essays. I am very glad to have met some new people and become reaquainted with some old friends. This collection has an intriguing theme and the authors made the most of it.
If you like meeting new people, learning about authors that you may have missed or thinking about popular culture and celebrities, these essays are for you.
geriatricgretch's review
4.0
Some essays were better than others, but I'd like to think of this as a sampler of the writing both by interesting feminist scholars and an introduction to both what an icon is to different people and the backstory of the actual icon herself.
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