Sign in with Facebook
Michael Martin's Reviews > Color: A Natural History of the Palette
Color: A Natural History of the Palette
by
by
The disclaimers "I imagine", "perhaps", "possibly", "it could be that" appear in this NON-FICTION book far more times than they should.
While I liked the content of about three-quarters of the book, it infuriated me at times when the author would suddenly start presenting the material through the eyes of a character, "imagining" their experiences, travels, and accomplishments. This first rears its head around page 81, when the tone of her book changes to speculate about an imaginary Corinthian artist. I quote...
"But what if she became tired of using just one variety of paint material? Perhaps, I thought, she may have tried out new blacks and browns. Would she, given the chance to try out charcoal's successors, have preferred lead pencils or India ink? Would she have dyed her clothes deepest black, or was it only in the palest of classical robes that she wanted to be seen? And if her boyfriend ever returned to Greece between voyages, would she have used her new knowledge of pigments to decorate her own face for the occasion? I imagined our heroine experimenting idly with mascaras and liners."
At this point, I threw the book across the room.
WHAT THE HELL. It's mean to be a scholarly book about color... and I'm reading a bullshit paragraph leading me into speculation about "this Corinthian woman's" dating and make-up?
I felt the same way about her handling of the character of Martinengo in the "Orange" chapter. On one two page spread, I think I counted "I imagine", "perhaps", "possibly", "if", about ten or twelve times.
This is an irresponsibly stupid way to write nonfiction. Two stars (and I never want to read anything else by her).
While I liked the content of about three-quarters of the book, it infuriated me at times when the author would suddenly start presenting the material through the eyes of a character, "imagining" their experiences, travels, and accomplishments. This first rears its head around page 81, when the tone of her book changes to speculate about an imaginary Corinthian artist. I quote...
"But what if she became tired of using just one variety of paint material? Perhaps, I thought, she may have tried out new blacks and browns. Would she, given the chance to try out charcoal's successors, have preferred lead pencils or India ink? Would she have dyed her clothes deepest black, or was it only in the palest of classical robes that she wanted to be seen? And if her boyfriend ever returned to Greece between voyages, would she have used her new knowledge of pigments to decorate her own face for the occasion? I imagined our heroine experimenting idly with mascaras and liners."
At this point, I threw the book across the room.
WHAT THE HELL. It's mean to be a scholarly book about color... and I'm reading a bullshit paragraph leading me into speculation about "this Corinthian woman's" dating and make-up?
I felt the same way about her handling of the character of Martinengo in the "Orange" chapter. On one two page spread, I think I counted "I imagine", "perhaps", "possibly", "if", about ten or twelve times.
This is an irresponsibly stupid way to write nonfiction. Two stars (and I never want to read anything else by her).
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Color.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
January 30, 2014
–
Started Reading
January 30, 2014
– Shelved
January 30, 2014
–
18.97%
"Was doing fine with this book. Then I hit page 81. What the fuck happened? I thought I was reading nonfiction, and suddenly the tone changed to "I imagine my woman artist friend in Corinth discovering eye makeup." I might just be done."
page
85
February 2, 2014
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-12 of 12 (12 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Sharon
(last edited Apr 25, 2015 05:31PM)
(new)
Apr 24, 2015 09:12AM
Thanks! Your review saved me � I had the same reaction you did to page 81, when I read the quote you cited. I was right on the verge, of giving the book a try. �
reply
|
flag
Thanks for saving me from wasting my time. I've read other books on various subjects that were like what you described. Ugh.
I'm not to page 81 yet, but I had a similar feeling in her discussion of Aboriginal artwork. I understand her desire to avoid any kind of cultural imperialism, but she seemed to be imposing her own kind of spiritualism onto some of the artwork that the artists themselves didn't think was there.
This review perfectly captures the experience of reading this book.
I am SO GLAD someone else experienced this, I thought I was being to harsh but I had the EXACT SAME reaction to the page about the Corinthian artist. I screamed out loud when she brought up the same extrapolated fantasy later in the book. Interesting story, but seriously what the hell
Damn, I really liked the idea of this book, do you have any other recommendations for the same topic? Thanks for the warning btw!
Lisa, I wish I did. I read a lot of art books (for instance, I just finished a terrific one about the construction of Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence). That book had the ring of research and validity to it.As to this one...I expected a much better researched and written book on pigment and color than this one.
I was going to write a review, but you already wrote it. It's a shame. There were some very informative sections, and her dedication to traveling to the sources of historical colors was so impressive and fascinating (if not always in sync with the attendant risk).
I also had the same reaction to that same part of the book. Almost gave up in disgust.
glad I was not alone, Krista. thanks!
I should have read the comments before reading this book. And yes..what the hell :(
