Arts & Music Books > Literary Criticism and Theory Arts & Music Books

A reflection of a life through literature

Advantages: Fascinating window into another's life; pleasant prose style
Disadvantages: Helps to have read the books; feels like publishers' sociopolitical agenda

...same day that I finished Reading Lolita in Tehran, I had noticed a small leaflet pasted to the clear plastic of the bus-stop outside my home, a short walk from London's Central Mosque. It called for Muslims to join a protest outside 10 Downing Street against the West's gross misrepresentation of Islam in the media, in the attack on the faith that has stemmed from the hysterical reaction to the actions of extremists. And it's undeniable that now must ...
...but would I even be reading it if not for the current climate of fear and suspicion around Islam? If not for America's defensive need to know that the lifestyle of its citizens is so much better than that of the countries of the Middle East? Perhaps not, but then I should consider myself lucky, for if not for the sensationalistic aspects surrounding this book's release, I would perhaps never have heard of it. And I must state that it was primarily ...

Adziu 31.08.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books - Azar Nafisi

Discover the hidden artist in you!

Advantages: Engaging and fun to do.
Disadvantages: none

...to discover their creativity,and in the process of doing so,discovering themselves. The author is particularly good at encouraging her readers to believe in their own creativity regardless of whether they think they are creative or not, which brings hope to us all! The book is divided into twelve sections/weeks and has the feel of being on a course because of this structure in place,it helps the reader to stay focused. Each section has various writing ...
...'true self'. I found the suggestion of doing "morning pages" each day a very helpful tool for discovering and becoming aware of thinking patterns. I also appreciated and enjoyed the inclusion of what the author described as "artist days out". overall It's a lovely,well organised book with the feel of having a friend on the journey. I also like the good size print and overall size of the book,which is a little larger than A5. I highly recommend ...

jesus25 10.03.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The Artists Way - Julie Cameron

Revolution in the head

Advantages: Secret history of radical democracy in England - a masterpiece
Disadvantages: Overplays the strength of the movement

...citizens, a world away from the violent revolutions and enthusiasms of Continental Europe. A pleasant enough image - but nothing could be further from the truth. In this magisterial work the legendary Oxford historian Christopher Hill reveals the radical traditions that burst out into the open between the years 1649 and 1660. Centuries earlier Wat Tyler led the Peasants' Revolt with the rallying cry of "When Adam delved and Eve span, who then was ...
...suddenly, and unexpectedly, they erupted. The kingless decade saw a sudden profusion of wild, subversive and counter-cultural movements - such as Ranters, Levellers and Diggers. For a moment, it really seemed as if the world would be turned upside down. Deep in medieval tradition was the idea of Shrove Tuesday, the Feast of Fools and All Fools Day - little days of anarchy and chaos when the established order of things was overturned in carnival ...

Westocean 16.12.2008 · Read full review
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Review of The World Turned Upside Down - Christopher Hill

And so it lives on

Advantages: informative, exciting, full of pictures
Disadvantages: /

I have been EastEnders' biggest fan for about five years now (and that's a fact!). There was a time when I would watch each episode three times - I'm just glad I am out of that phase as with iPlayer now, I dread to think how often I would watch it! I was lucky enough with the fact that my Mam watched it almost religiously once upon a time, so she still had the 'The First Ten Years' EastEnders book that was of course released in 1995, ten years after ...
...on to me, and I was in heaven! The book itself is hardback, and has a very attractive cover. The background is a large version of the scene with the Thames, and mounted on that is pictures of various characters: Phil and Grant, Pauline and Michelle, Angie and Den. The BBC logo is at the top, and the word 'official' is at the bottom to ensure you that this is a genuine book. The EastEnders logo is also stretched across the top, with the book title ...

Amy69 22.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Eastenders: The First Ten Years - Colin Brake

A passion for the music of the 80s

Advantages: Thorough, passionate look at the 80s British music scene
Disadvantages: A little over-opinionated; omits some key figures

Reynolds established himself as one of the leading chroniclers of the British early 1980s music scene with a earlier title, Rip It Up and Start Again. In a sense, this book is basically a companion to that volume. But it can be read independently, without having first tried the other – as I myself did. About three-quarters is taken up with interviews with thirty two of the main British individuals involved. They constitute a comprehensive cross-section, ...
...Andy Gill (Gang of Four), David Byrne (Talking Heads, who are American though Byrne was born in Scotland), DJ John Peel, and producers Martin Rushent and Trevor Horn (also briefly members of Buggles and later Yes). The rest is a selection of commentaries on various themes covering the period, including John Lydon and Public Image Ltd, Joy Division, Mutant Disco and Punk-Funk, London Glam City, and A Final Interview by the author with himself. This ...

JOHNV 22.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Totally Wired: Postpunk Interviews and Overviews - Simon Reynolds