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syds_shelves's review against another edition
the first essay was really good and all the others were kind of thrown in there? most of the essays weren’t focused on the “dead girls” thing and felt too varied in topic and quality. I was close to the end but knew if I finished, I was just going to end up ranking it low, so I called it quits
stevienielson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
lindsey_bear's review
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
There were glimmers of essays I could connect with in Dead Girls, but often I found myself lost in the obscure literary references. I appreciated Bolin’s reflections on her young adulthood in LA and finding herself through her writing and reading. I craved to hear less about the intricacies of Didion and more about the musings of a newly arrived young woman in such an illusive environment.
tydymac's review
2.0
I was kind of disappointed with this book. It’s not really about what it says it is.
It is more of a memoir featuring a bunch of literary analysis essays. My main problem was, rather than talking about the different books she had read in a more analytical way, she actually spoiled a lot of books and movies.
I mean if you have interest in reading the following and have yet to read them:
We have always lived in the castle
Beloved
The flamethrowers
Chelsea Girls
Pretty much any of Joan Didion’s books
...And many more books and movies
I know some of these have been out for a while and are widely read in some aspects but it felt more like she was writing book reviews that spoiled the climax or ending of EVERY SINGLE BOOK/MOVIE MENTIONED. Even if this was a book of book reviews a good review doesn’t spoil the content for the reader. I think the worst part is it sounded like she was writing college literary analysis essays over and over, none of which had to do with what the title of this book implies and in some instances the essays ended without making any arguments.
At the end of the day, I don’t think I would recommend this book to my friends.
It is more of a memoir featuring a bunch of literary analysis essays. My main problem was, rather than talking about the different books she had read in a more analytical way, she actually spoiled a lot of books and movies.
I mean if you have interest in reading the following and have yet to read them:
We have always lived in the castle
Beloved
The flamethrowers
Chelsea Girls
Pretty much any of Joan Didion’s books
...And many more books and movies
I know some of these have been out for a while and are widely read in some aspects but it felt more like she was writing book reviews that spoiled the climax or ending of EVERY SINGLE BOOK/MOVIE MENTIONED. Even if this was a book of book reviews a good review doesn’t spoil the content for the reader. I think the worst part is it sounded like she was writing college literary analysis essays over and over, none of which had to do with what the title of this book implies and in some instances the essays ended without making any arguments.
At the end of the day, I don’t think I would recommend this book to my friends.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Filled with essays about books, characters, and pop stars, Bolin expertly analyzes the ways in which the "dead girl" trope has infiltrated not only our media, but our society and our selves. Where does Laura Palmer end and we begin? Are we separated entirely by screen when men take it upon themselves in murder mysteries and true crime to use women's deaths to absolve their own guilt? Are we separated when the death of the girl comes internally as well?
Bolin explores the ways in which the "dead girl" trope expresses itself beginning with Twin Peaks and the way it permeates through figures such as Britney Spears, and even herself as she uses personal anecdotes to assert the ways in which this trope can be internalized. With quick wit, a plethora of quotations, and Joan Didion opinions, this book easily makes for a fun and refreshing read in the midst of so many other harsh and all-too-depressing reads.
Great for those who are interested in feminism but need something a little lighter, and perfect for those who love media and the ways it intersects with our personal lives.
Review cross-listed here!
thelonia's review against another edition
3.0
This one is rough. I really, really enjoyed the first and third section, but the 2nd and 4th fell a bit flat to me, as someone who doesn't particularly care about LA or Joan Didion (and who was expecting more cultural analysis and not an autobiographical dive into the author's life that isn't particularly relevant).
Honestly, I'm going to check out the author's articles, since I suspect that the stronger pieces in here probably exist as stand-alones, and forward those to friends, instead of recommending they read this one (unless of course, they like LA and hearing about people's roommates).
Honestly, I'm going to check out the author's articles, since I suspect that the stronger pieces in here probably exist as stand-alones, and forward those to friends, instead of recommending they read this one (unless of course, they like LA and hearing about people's roommates).
dreamgalaxies's review against another edition
4.0
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I did really like this book. It was clear from the first pages that it was written by a person very much like me, which always helps. Someone with the same peculiar fixations. You don't find a book like that terribly often--or at least, I don't. So many poignant moments of seeing myself here made it a memorable read.
The main bone I have to pick is that the marketing was somewhat misleading. This book doesn't have all that much to do with our cultural obsession with the Dead Girl at all, beyond the first essay. It's more centered on the roles women play, in media and their own stories. The focus on L.A. seems to obscure this but in reality with its role as the genesis of modern entertainment, it comes together quite well.
"Like other writers before me, I have tried to make something about women from stories that were always and only about men."
"...I slowly began to realize that my book was maybe not about the noir but about those forces of which the noir was a symptom, not about dead white girls but the more troubling mystery of living ones."
Every so often the narrative dissolves into one too many layers of literary criticism, and sometimes Bolin seems to not be making as salient--or clear--of a point as she seems to think. These moments, however, are outweighed by the important thoughts this book leaves lingering behind it. I'll be looking for more work from this author, to be sure.
I did really like this book. It was clear from the first pages that it was written by a person very much like me, which always helps. Someone with the same peculiar fixations. You don't find a book like that terribly often--or at least, I don't. So many poignant moments of seeing myself here made it a memorable read.
The main bone I have to pick is that the marketing was somewhat misleading. This book doesn't have all that much to do with our cultural obsession with the Dead Girl at all, beyond the first essay. It's more centered on the roles women play, in media and their own stories. The focus on L.A. seems to obscure this but in reality with its role as the genesis of modern entertainment, it comes together quite well.
"Like other writers before me, I have tried to make something about women from stories that were always and only about men."
"...I slowly began to realize that my book was maybe not about the noir but about those forces of which the noir was a symptom, not about dead white girls but the more troubling mystery of living ones."
Every so often the narrative dissolves into one too many layers of literary criticism, and sometimes Bolin seems to not be making as salient--or clear--of a point as she seems to think. These moments, however, are outweighed by the important thoughts this book leaves lingering behind it. I'll be looking for more work from this author, to be sure.
hgustlin's review
slow-paced
2.0
if you want to read a book that is about what it says it is about, this is not that book. the first essay is wonderful, and poignantly examines the trope of the dead girl in media and life, but the rest of the book falls flat as bolin chronicles her loneliness while living in la. the james baldwin quotes and references also seemed rushed and put in last minute to “diversify” the authors she pulls from as to not just quote terrible people and reference a literal nazi (hans asperger) while arm chair diagnosing her father. overall a disappointing read for a book i was excited for.