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spookynorvegan's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I'm a lifelong lover of Friday Kahlo. Her life, her ideals, her work, all of it, always.
So this book intrigued me as a concept. I believe that this piece originates from in a similar state of reverence and admiration; giving Frida an omnipresent first person narrative with an idealistic stream of consciousness flow. However it consistently, and predominantly comes off as a vehicle for personal convictions and beliefs by the writer.
If you're an admirer of Kahlo and want to get a better sense of her spirit, skip this book and pick up a copy of her published diary instead.
I'm a lifelong lover of Friday Kahlo. Her life, her ideals, her work, all of it, always.
So this book intrigued me as a concept. I believe that this piece originates from in a similar state of reverence and admiration; giving Frida an omnipresent first person narrative with an idealistic stream of consciousness flow. However it consistently, and predominantly comes off as a vehicle for personal convictions and beliefs by the writer.
If you're an admirer of Kahlo and want to get a better sense of her spirit, skip this book and pick up a copy of her published diary instead.
ee_em_em_aye's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book - I mean, it's billed as a poetic re-imagining of the life of Frida Kahlo; I expected a dense story with all the passion and intensity of Frida Kahlo herself.
However, having read Frida Kahlo's diary, a book of letters she wrote and others texts - having seen the film Frida and having recently read another take on her story, The Lacuna, I was disappointed.
At times there were glimpses of what I was looking for - in the description of her life during the times painting some of her most famous works (small images of said works at the back/front of the book would have been appreciated) and then again sometimes during the description of her love for Diego/inability to have a child.
However, overall if felt trite. Was the overuse of the word c*nt supposed to describe her passion for Diego or shock the reader? It seemed to be used for shock value and did little for me.
While there were moments of great interest - times when I hoped I'd curl up with the book and read through in one sitting - primarily this was laboured, repetitive and a little 'once over lightly' for my liking.
The problem with writing about someones life is that it's events have been set down already. If you've seen something like the excellent film Frida, then there's really not a lot left to say and for a re-imagining this wasn't very re-imagined.
A Love Letter from a Stray Moon seemed a lot longer than it's 100-odd pages and that wasn't a good thing.
However, having read Frida Kahlo's diary, a book of letters she wrote and others texts - having seen the film Frida and having recently read another take on her story, The Lacuna, I was disappointed.
At times there were glimpses of what I was looking for - in the description of her life during the times painting some of her most famous works (small images of said works at the back/front of the book would have been appreciated) and then again sometimes during the description of her love for Diego/inability to have a child.
However, overall if felt trite. Was the overuse of the word c*nt supposed to describe her passion for Diego or shock the reader? It seemed to be used for shock value and did little for me.
While there were moments of great interest - times when I hoped I'd curl up with the book and read through in one sitting - primarily this was laboured, repetitive and a little 'once over lightly' for my liking.
The problem with writing about someones life is that it's events have been set down already. If you've seen something like the excellent film Frida, then there's really not a lot left to say and for a re-imagining this wasn't very re-imagined.
A Love Letter from a Stray Moon seemed a lot longer than it's 100-odd pages and that wasn't a good thing.
missdaisy17's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thomasgoddard's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Griffiths has created a true portrait and merely has to call it fiction because Kahlo herself can't sign it off. When I die, I hope that someone with the skill, passion and confidence Griffiths owns will write something like this for me.
I think, as much as we can know someone, that knowing is a form of loving when you do it right. And you have to be in love, in order to accurately convey their essence to someone who cannot know them.
The text itself. Like a love letter shredded up and used as bedding. Like a poem set to the music of the cosmos.
And now for some accuracy...
Every page has something worth quoting. If you wanted to pick a quote tattoo from a book.... Steer well clear of this one! Your body will have no bare flesh left. It's scrumptious and a deeply satisfying read.
If it was about someone I had never heard about, I'd immediately go and buy every book on them that I could. As it stands, Kahlo has been an inspiration to me for a long time.
I think, as much as we can know someone, that knowing is a form of loving when you do it right. And you have to be in love, in order to accurately convey their essence to someone who cannot know them.
The text itself. Like a love letter shredded up and used as bedding. Like a poem set to the music of the cosmos.
And now for some accuracy...
Every page has something worth quoting. If you wanted to pick a quote tattoo from a book.... Steer well clear of this one! Your body will have no bare flesh left. It's scrumptious and a deeply satisfying read.
If it was about someone I had never heard about, I'd immediately go and buy every book on them that I could. As it stands, Kahlo has been an inspiration to me for a long time.
whogivesabook's review against another edition
5.0
Jay Griffiths has created a true portrait and merely has to call it fiction because Kahlo herself can't sign it off. When I die, I hope that someone with the skill, passion and confidence Griffiths owns will write something like this for me.
I think, as much as we can know someone, that knowing is a form of loving when you do it right. And you have to be in love, in order to accurately convey their essence to someone who cannot know them.
The text itself. Like a love letter shredded up and used as bedding. Like a poem set to the music of the cosmos.
And now for some accuracy...
Every page has something worth quoting. If you wanted to pick a quote tattoo from a book.... Steer well clear of this one! Your body will have no bare flesh left. It's scrumptious and a deeply satisfying read.
If it was about someone I had never heard about, I'd immediately go and buy every book on them that I could. As it stands, Kahlo has been an inspiration to me for a long time.
I think, as much as we can know someone, that knowing is a form of loving when you do it right. And you have to be in love, in order to accurately convey their essence to someone who cannot know them.
The text itself. Like a love letter shredded up and used as bedding. Like a poem set to the music of the cosmos.
And now for some accuracy...
Every page has something worth quoting. If you wanted to pick a quote tattoo from a book.... Steer well clear of this one! Your body will have no bare flesh left. It's scrumptious and a deeply satisfying read.
If it was about someone I had never heard about, I'd immediately go and buy every book on them that I could. As it stands, Kahlo has been an inspiration to me for a long time.
alyssaacula's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful. Vivid imagery and passages overflowing with both subtle and intense emotions are the main draw of it for me and not because of Frida Kahlo, although when I realized that it was about her (life), it elicited a fascination in me to know more about her.
I don't know anything about Frida's life so I cane to this collection unbiased and without expectations. I think my opinion of it would've been different if I knew something about her.
I don't know anything about Frida's life so I cane to this collection unbiased and without expectations. I think my opinion of it would've been different if I knew something about her.