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3.15 AVERAGE
3.15 AVERAGE
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of essays from the New Yorker. Thurman is an attentive writer and a knowledgeable woman, and the two combine quite well. The collection unfortunately begins with some of the more lackluster articles - I admittedly didn't like the article on bulimia at all - but the fashion and biography articles, two topics on which Thurman is very strong, are excellent. It's highly suggested - and you can always skip articles you don't like, anyways.
I picked this up because I had read and enjoyed Thurman's [b:Isak Dinesen The Life of a Storyteller|26472|Isak Dinesen The Life of a Storyteller|Judith Thurman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167810663s/26472.jpg|132864]. Overall, Thurman can write and makes wonderful use of the language.
However, there are far too many essays about fashion for a non-fashionista like me to really, truly, enjoy the book. I doubt really want to read about Chanel or Blass.
The essays that are not concealed with fashion are interesting. Perhaps the most interesting is the one that describes the history and process of tofu. I still don't like it, but now I have respect for it. (Inicidentally, the best fashion essay was about kimono making. Thurman does seem to like Japan). I also enjoyed her essay about the Brontes. I do like reading essays about books I like, and Thurman's critique of [b:Possession A Romance|41219|Possession A Romance|A.S. Byatt|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255800129s/41219.jpg|2246190] was on point. Her closing essays are historical sketches.
However, there are far too many essays about fashion for a non-fashionista like me to really, truly, enjoy the book. I doubt really want to read about Chanel or Blass.
The essays that are not concealed with fashion are interesting. Perhaps the most interesting is the one that describes the history and process of tofu. I still don't like it, but now I have respect for it. (Inicidentally, the best fashion essay was about kimono making. Thurman does seem to like Japan). I also enjoyed her essay about the Brontes. I do like reading essays about books I like, and Thurman's critique of [b:Possession A Romance|41219|Possession A Romance|A.S. Byatt|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255800129s/41219.jpg|2246190] was on point. Her closing essays are historical sketches.
I remember several of these essays from my (now unfortunately defunct) New Yorker subscription.
Love the cover design as well...the typography and photo feel very au courant.
Love the cover design as well...the typography and photo feel very au courant.
Collection of essays that appeared in the New Yorker, unfortunately, my timing of this coincided with getting a subscription to the New Yorker again, so I wasn't as excited about this book as I probably otherwise would have been.
2.5
I feel inclined to leave it on 2 stars, but I might consider to raise it to 3 stars later.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the first part of the book, it was shocking and interesting and all so well tied. Also I didn't knew the subjects of the essays, neither I had ever taked fashion in such a serious way, nor so carefully relate it to the artist's life.
BUT it all faded away by half the book or so. I don't really know why, because the writing is the same and I can't honestly say that topics were less interesting, so maybe I just got tired of the author.
I feel inclined to leave it on 2 stars, but I might consider to raise it to 3 stars later.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the first part of the book, it was shocking and interesting and all so well tied. Also I didn't knew the subjects of the essays, neither I had ever taked fashion in such a serious way, nor so carefully relate it to the artist's life.
BUT it all faded away by half the book or so. I don't really know why, because the writing is the same and I can't honestly say that topics were less interesting, so maybe I just got tired of the author.