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A review by awahle
D. V. by George Plimpton, Diana Vreeland, Christopher Hemphill
4.0
This book was a hoot as long as you remember that Diana Vreeland was definitely brought up privileged in a bygone era. She admits to being as far from a feminist as possible - “I believe women are naturally dependent on men. One admires and expects things from men that one doesn’t expect from women, and such has been the history of the world. The beauty of painting, of literature, of music, of love…this is what men have given to the world, not women. As you can tell, you’re not exactly talking to a feminist. I stand with the French line––women and children last. ”
She makes outrageous statements and is oh so politically incorrect. This book was published in 1984 - the middle of the Reagan era. She wrote as I imagine she must have spoken - everything is "too much!" Ms. Vreeland describes the women of high society slipping out of their chairs as they swoon at a Balenciaga runway, putting a back plaster on Jack Nicholson in the lobby of a London restaurant. She also states she and her sister were taken to the Louvre every Wednesday when they were young and spent hours looking at the Mona Lisa. Apparently no one fact checked this book because she claims she and her sister were also two of the last people to see the Mona Lisa before it was stolen on August 21, 1911. (It was stolen on a Monday...)
Ms. Vreeland makes many claims that may or may not be true, but this book is so incredibly entertaining! My only complaint is that it begged for pictures...
I leave you with one of my favorite bits from the book - “I can’t stand the vulgarity of a woman who makes a noise when she walks. It’s all right for soldiers, but when I was growing up the quintessence of breeding in a lady was a quiet footstep. Well, it is to me still. Do you know that I let a brilliant worker go at Vogue because of the way she walked––the clank of those heels. ..It is a form of anger if you can’t control the foot. I promise you, the heavy tread is a form of anger.”
I don't think I'm angry (much), but I do have a heavy tread.
She makes outrageous statements and is oh so politically incorrect. This book was published in 1984 - the middle of the Reagan era. She wrote as I imagine she must have spoken - everything is "too much!" Ms. Vreeland describes the women of high society slipping out of their chairs as they swoon at a Balenciaga runway, putting a back plaster on Jack Nicholson in the lobby of a London restaurant. She also states she and her sister were taken to the Louvre every Wednesday when they were young and spent hours looking at the Mona Lisa. Apparently no one fact checked this book because she claims she and her sister were also two of the last people to see the Mona Lisa before it was stolen on August 21, 1911. (It was stolen on a Monday...)
Ms. Vreeland makes many claims that may or may not be true, but this book is so incredibly entertaining! My only complaint is that it begged for pictures...
I leave you with one of my favorite bits from the book - “I can’t stand the vulgarity of a woman who makes a noise when she walks. It’s all right for soldiers, but when I was growing up the quintessence of breeding in a lady was a quiet footstep. Well, it is to me still. Do you know that I let a brilliant worker go at Vogue because of the way she walked––the clank of those heels. ..It is a form of anger if you can’t control the foot. I promise you, the heavy tread is a form of anger.”
I don't think I'm angry (much), but I do have a heavy tread.