It's a nicely done book, but I have quibbles. The first is that a good percentage of these paintings are in "private collections," so would I really bIt's a nicely done book, but I have quibbles. The first is that a good percentage of these paintings are in "private collections," so would I really be able to see them? Second, the bulk of the paintings are in European museums, with the MET making up a good chunk of the non European ones. As a long time lover of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and National Galley, I protest.
But pretty pictures, and it does have Asian art as well as ancient Egyptian art....more
It's not bad. It does a good job of mentioning, if not overly detailing, the various stories. However, it strange that there are no pictures.It's not bad. It does a good job of mentioning, if not overly detailing, the various stories. However, it strange that there are no pictures....more
This is part criticism, part memoir, and part discussion of photos hiding the true self. I can't really write a review of it. It isn't a biography, moThis is part criticism, part memoir, and part discussion of photos hiding the true self. I can't really write a review of it. It isn't a biography, more like mediation. ...more
I don't know if the art is computer generated or not, but it is glorious. Oh, this is such a pretty book. It isn't so much a biography of Kahlo, but aI don't know if the art is computer generated or not, but it is glorious. Oh, this is such a pretty book. It isn't so much a biography of Kahlo, but a brief, child friendly introduction to her....more
This is the most stunning beautiful book I've read all year.
Slimani was locked in an art museum in Venice for an evening. Over the course of the nightThis is the most stunning beautiful book I've read all year.
Slimani was locked in an art museum in Venice for an evening. Over the course of the night, she reflects on her writing process, her family and the power of literature.
It truly is one of those quietly moving and powerful books. Her comments about the process and her own insecurity about her own writing are ones that should be shared with composition students.
And how she describes the art and the flowers. Oh, it is wonderful. This is a wonder of a book....more
A good introduction, even if some of the information has changed since this book's publication. Lovely photos as well. Worth the price used simply forA good introduction, even if some of the information has changed since this book's publication. Lovely photos as well. Worth the price used simply for the photos....more
Nice little look at the collection of American art in the Freer. The emphasis is on Whistler but the book is packed with information about the museum Nice little look at the collection of American art in the Freer. The emphasis is on Whistler but the book is packed with information about the museum and artists....more
I’m finding writing this review without spoilers to be very difficult. I will try to keep them as vague as I can.
The pDisclaimer: ARC via Netgalley.
I’m finding writing this review without spoilers to be very difficult. I will try to keep them as vague as I can.
The plot of Black Water Lilies is a murder that occurs in the town of Givenry. While the victim is a man, the focus of the story is on three women � crone, mother, and maiden. The crone is the “witch� of the village, the mother is a teacher (the stereotype of a sexy teacher is used) , and the maiden is a young girl of almost elven who aspires to be an art student.
To be honest, it is at this point that I almost put down the book. That young girl of almost eleven is described as a woman. The graphic novel starts with the phrase “Three woman lived in Givenry�. The almost eleven year old is at various point in the opening panels drawn as an adult, in adult stylized, slightly sexualized poses. We are told that all boys wanted her to be their girlfriend.
Look, I get France is different and we Americans are supposedly prudish, but there are French women pushing back on the sexualization of young girls -read Consent by Vanessa Springora. And to be fair, the revel of graphic novel � which is clever but doesn’t quite work � makes the comment a little less icky. It also excuses some of the very sexist comments and behavior by the detectives which is very off putting.
Spoiler below
(view spoiler)[The reveal is that all three women are in fact one woman at the different stages of her life. She is now the crone and is telling the majority of the story. Clever, and it does work because you don’t see the three “women� together. There is a problem however, because if we are seeing the story though her and one detective that still doesn’t explain everything that we see. Additionally, while we might say all the boys wanted to date use back in high school, would we really sexualize ourselves that much? The boys are drawn as around ten, the girls not so much. And the positioning of the boys and girls when together is that of teens not that of most pre-teens. Honesty in one panel if the boy hadn’t been wearing clothes that are normally only wore by pre-teen boys, it would have looked like two teens hanging out. Also the detective’s conclusion, though correct, seems to come about simply because of the romantic rival aspect, and I am tired of that trope (hide spoiler)]
The use of the young girl is also execrated because there is little interaction between any women at all in the book - wouldn’t there be female friends? There is a woman associated with the police but she disappears shortly afterwards and is only there for the men to talk about each other.
But the reveal was clever, and the mystery is interesting. The artwork is wonderful. This graphic novel is based on a best selling French novel....more
Well written. It does make me want to check out Feld's poetry. (I had not heard of either man until NYRB had this as its book of the month for its subWell written. It does make me want to check out Feld's poetry. (I had not heard of either man until NYRB had this as its book of the month for its subscription service, so it should be noted that effected my reading of this.) The NYRB edition includes plates of the paintings, so you can get a sense of the artwork being discussed....more
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