Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
Model, muse, photographer, war correspondent - Lee Miller wore many hats and lived many lives, and along the way intersected with major figures in the Surrealist movement.
Lee Miller had the tumultuous sort of life that makes for fascinating reading, and considering I knew very little about her past the famous picture of her bathing in Hitler's bathtub, everything I read was a revelation. She worked so closely with more prominent artists of the Surrealist movement as both model and collaborator that it astounds me how thoroughly she was subsumed by the shadows they cast - in Man Ray's Wikipedia page, for example, she apparently justifies only a couple of lines about their work together.
Lee Miller had the tumultuous sort of life that makes for fascinating reading, and considering I knew very little about her past the famous picture of her bathing in Hitler's bathtub, everything I read was a revelation. She worked so closely with more prominent artists of the Surrealist movement as both model and collaborator that it astounds me how thoroughly she was subsumed by the shadows they cast - in Man Ray's Wikipedia page, for example, she apparently justifies only a couple of lines about their work together.
You feel that in her life you get a good glimpse of the changing social mores of the early and mid-20th century - how she morphs from an outrageous Bohemian at the start to an establishment figure by the end says a lot. The chapters on Miller's time working as a war correspondent were especially fascinating, highlighting how inadequately the camera served to separate her from the atrocities she photographed - how it made for more impactful photographs, but how deleterious an effect it had on her as well. I appreciated the plentiful photos by her and of her scattered through the book, and would have even liked to see more.
However, I do feel that the author does not do a great job of exploring the interiority of Lee Miller, maybe because Miller herself ensured that it was nearly inaccessible. Why does she become interested in what she does, why does she marry who and when she does, why does she pursue the careers that she does? I would have appreciated more insight, or even just more speculation. Without such musings, biographies can become lists.
However, I do feel that the author does not do a great job of exploring the interiority of Lee Miller, maybe because Miller herself ensured that it was nearly inaccessible. Why does she become interested in what she does, why does she marry who and when she does, why does she pursue the careers that she does? I would have appreciated more insight, or even just more speculation. Without such musings, biographies can become lists.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book was interesting in the beginning as this woman was most interesting in her youth, but turned irritating as it progressed. Also, the writing was a bit bland and dry.
Check out my review here: http://bookaweekwithjen.blogspot.com/2008/02/book-33-of-52-lee-miller-life-by.html
Larger-than-life subject makes for engrossing reading. Author makes some assumptions but narrative overrides them.
slow-paced
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
Following the many extreme chapters of Miller’s life is such an adventure! I loved this book, she was so fearless and a groundbreaker.