1983, first edition (but see below), from Treasure Press
Editorial Consultant Jeremy Pascall, Material Compiled by Robert Burt, Epilogue by Chris Rowley
The Beatles: The Fab Four Who Dominated Pop Music for a Decade
Original price unknown, purchase price $4.98
Slightly worn hardcover
C
While it's nice to see so many color photos of the Beatles, including for Hard Day's Night, in this sort of cheap version of a coffee-table book, the writing is so mediocre to abysmal that I can't recommend it. Earlier versions of the book appeared in 1973, '74, and '75, but this is listed as "Revised 1983." Unfortunately, this means that the Epilogue covers only '75 to '80 (don't look for McCartney's '82 duets with Stevie Wonder), and in only two pages. Although Rowley had years to prepare it, it's probably the most poorly written piece in the whole book. Some samples:
"Yoko, who is should never be forgotten is an artist in her own right...."
"Ringo flew to America to stay as well....Everything he wanted to do seemed to be in that city...." (L.A. presumably, although it hasn't been mentioned since the previous section on John.)
"Troubles begat disaster for the tour right from the start."
"John was tiring of the life-as-drunkard-socialite by mid '75 and he and a pregnant Yoko began dating again." (Implying Yoko was pregnant by someone other than her husband.)
The second worst section is the gushy one on Paul's 1970-74 career, starting with definitions of "super" and "star." The earlier sections are mostly unremarkable, with no information or perspective you can't find elsewhere. Yet the book is definitely a contrast to The Love You Make, censoring Lennon's profanity and cleaning up Epstein's messy life. I think at the time it was worth the five bucks because I was still new to Beatles fandom and it wasn't yet possible to do an Internet image search that brings dozens of color pictures of the band within seconds. But nowadays, there's not much point in keeping the book.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Thursday, January 10, 2013
How to Regain Your Virginity
1983, undated later edition, from Workman Publishing
Patricia Marx and Charlotte Stuart
How to Regain Your Virginity..and 99 Other Recent Discoveries About Sex
Original price unknown, bought used for $3.95
Slightly worn paperback
B-
While blunter than Thurber and White's coy Is Sex Necessary?: Why You Feel the Way You Do (1929), this isn't as funny, although it has its moments. The difference of over half a century and two female coauthors means that we get jokes about feminism and abortion, as well as a lot of pseudo-1950sness, especially in the illustrations. I had a copy of this book at 15 (my father misread "Regain" as "Reagan," which made it even stranger), but, yes, lost it long ago and, yes, regained it, used but in good condition, years later. I was a bit savvier about sex jokes at 15 than the year or so before when reading the Anti-Prep and Valley Girl handbooks, but there were still a few jokes I didn't get. (I can recall them on rereading.)
Like the '20s book, this is a parody of sexology, but I've decided not to use the nonfiction tag as I did then. (And all things considered, I'll probably rescind that one once I get around to using a "humor" tag.) Unlike the Thurber & White book, there are lots of graphs and charts. There are a few predictions for the then-future, and "Foreplay will be computerized" for 2000 and "Nude sunbathing will be a form of capital punishment" for 2010 are actually more accurate than the serious predictions in the Wallace-Wallechinsky book. Similarly, the discovery "More People Have Had Sex Problems Than Have Had Sex" is I suspect actually true. My favorite page is on variations of polygamy, including "Amyamy: marrying Amy while you are still married," and ending "Origami: the Japanese art of folding paper into birds and flowers."
In 1980, a book called The New Celibacy was published, and within the next couple years it would become a subject for humor on sitcoms. According to Wikipedia, "Much of the hysteria and stigma surrounding herpes stems from a media campaign beginning in the late 1970s and peaking in the early 1980s." This book needs to be seen as against that background, as opposed to the sexual experimentation of 1929. While we did not in fact go back to the 1950s as some hoped and others feared, there was a complex ambivalence about sex at that time. As a teen growing up in suburban Southern California, I sometimes felt that the 1950s trap of girls as either virgins (good, as long as they weren't stuck-up about it), teases (bad), or sluts (worse) had been changed so that all three categories were bad, although not as bad as lesbians. Furthermore, I was a bisexual virgin who'd never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend, so I felt incredibly guilty and inadequate. Laughing at this book probably helped me get through that time, and rereading it helps me relive that time painlessly.
Patricia Marx and Charlotte Stuart
How to Regain Your Virginity..and 99 Other Recent Discoveries About Sex
Original price unknown, bought used for $3.95
Slightly worn paperback
B-
While blunter than Thurber and White's coy Is Sex Necessary?: Why You Feel the Way You Do (1929), this isn't as funny, although it has its moments. The difference of over half a century and two female coauthors means that we get jokes about feminism and abortion, as well as a lot of pseudo-1950sness, especially in the illustrations. I had a copy of this book at 15 (my father misread "Regain" as "Reagan," which made it even stranger), but, yes, lost it long ago and, yes, regained it, used but in good condition, years later. I was a bit savvier about sex jokes at 15 than the year or so before when reading the Anti-Prep and Valley Girl handbooks, but there were still a few jokes I didn't get. (I can recall them on rereading.)
Like the '20s book, this is a parody of sexology, but I've decided not to use the nonfiction tag as I did then. (And all things considered, I'll probably rescind that one once I get around to using a "humor" tag.) Unlike the Thurber & White book, there are lots of graphs and charts. There are a few predictions for the then-future, and "Foreplay will be computerized" for 2000 and "Nude sunbathing will be a form of capital punishment" for 2010 are actually more accurate than the serious predictions in the Wallace-Wallechinsky book. Similarly, the discovery "More People Have Had Sex Problems Than Have Had Sex" is I suspect actually true. My favorite page is on variations of polygamy, including "Amyamy: marrying Amy while you are still married," and ending "Origami: the Japanese art of folding paper into birds and flowers."
In 1980, a book called The New Celibacy was published, and within the next couple years it would become a subject for humor on sitcoms. According to Wikipedia, "Much of the hysteria and stigma surrounding herpes stems from a media campaign beginning in the late 1970s and peaking in the early 1980s." This book needs to be seen as against that background, as opposed to the sexual experimentation of 1929. While we did not in fact go back to the 1950s as some hoped and others feared, there was a complex ambivalence about sex at that time. As a teen growing up in suburban Southern California, I sometimes felt that the 1950s trap of girls as either virgins (good, as long as they weren't stuck-up about it), teases (bad), or sluts (worse) had been changed so that all three categories were bad, although not as bad as lesbians. Furthermore, I was a bisexual virgin who'd never had a boyfriend or a girlfriend, so I felt incredibly guilty and inadequate. Laughing at this book probably helped me get through that time, and rereading it helps me relive that time painlessly.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Jane Austen, Feminism and Fiction
1983, 1986 Methuen edition
Margaret Kirkham
Jane Austen, Feminism and Fiction
Original price unknown, purchase price $5.95
Worn paperback
B
I almost rated this a B- for three reasons. One, I've read it too often; two, Kirkham's thesis that Austen was a feminist with views similar to Mary Wollstonecraft is no longer as revolutionary as it was two or three decades ago; and the discussion of Austen's novels is severely lop-sided. These first two are not Kirkham's fault, and it's because her argument is so convincing that she's shaped the way that I and others see Austen. The book probably isn't meant to hold up to the perhaps dozen readings that I've given it over the years. (Well, physically it's doing all right.) I do, however, find fault in the way Kirkham concentrates on the three later novels, with only a few pages to the first three, one page in the case of Sense and Sensibility! The book would've been strengthened by doubling in size, since at 187 pages (counting notes and index) it's rather slim.
That said, this is the best work of literary criticism so far, intelligent without being overly academic. She also has a good dose of wit, including about literary criticism and biography, the two portraits of Jane, one by Cassandra and the other a Victorian "improvement," symbolising how badly Austen has been represented at times.
Margaret Kirkham
Jane Austen, Feminism and Fiction
Original price unknown, purchase price $5.95
Worn paperback
B
I almost rated this a B- for three reasons. One, I've read it too often; two, Kirkham's thesis that Austen was a feminist with views similar to Mary Wollstonecraft is no longer as revolutionary as it was two or three decades ago; and the discussion of Austen's novels is severely lop-sided. These first two are not Kirkham's fault, and it's because her argument is so convincing that she's shaped the way that I and others see Austen. The book probably isn't meant to hold up to the perhaps dozen readings that I've given it over the years. (Well, physically it's doing all right.) I do, however, find fault in the way Kirkham concentrates on the three later novels, with only a few pages to the first three, one page in the case of Sense and Sensibility! The book would've been strengthened by doubling in size, since at 187 pages (counting notes and index) it's rather slim.
That said, this is the best work of literary criticism so far, intelligent without being overly academic. She also has a good dose of wit, including about literary criticism and biography, the two portraits of Jane, one by Cassandra and the other a Victorian "improvement," symbolising how badly Austen has been represented at times.
Shield of Three Lions
1983, first edition, from Crown
Pamela Kaufman
Shield of Three Lions
Original and purchase price unknown
Fair condition hardcover with worn dustjacket
C
While I appreciate the period detail, from eating eels to studying law in Paris, I can't recommend this book because of its disturbing sexual and/or violent content. Preteen Alix disguises herself as a boy in order to gain an audience with Richard I, who's supposed to be in London, but she ends up accompanying him on a Crusade. Her parents have been killed and her castle sacked, so she needs Richard's support. Her mother was not only murdered but raped, as was best friend Maisry. Alix herself, whether dressed as a boy or a girl, is repeatedly threatened with rape, by men ranging from a dockside mob to Robin Hood! She's also more gently lusted after by a girl her own age and by King Richard! Except, they think she's a boy of nine or ten.
There's also a Scot named Enoch who both protects and bullies her, while wanting half her estate. When Alex/Alix's identity is revealed, Richard agrees to Enoch marrying her, in order to claim the barony, although she by then thinks the worst of Enoch, and her consent during the ceremony is obtained at knifepoint! Things are eventually cleared up, including that she wasn't Richard's mistress, and there is a happy ending, but by then there's such a bad taste about the book that it's hard to enjoy.
I believe this was Kaufman's debut novel. She went on to write an Alix trilogy, but although I liked the protagonist, I can't see reading further.
Pamela Kaufman
Shield of Three Lions
Original and purchase price unknown
Fair condition hardcover with worn dustjacket
C
While I appreciate the period detail, from eating eels to studying law in Paris, I can't recommend this book because of its disturbing sexual and/or violent content. Preteen Alix disguises herself as a boy in order to gain an audience with Richard I, who's supposed to be in London, but she ends up accompanying him on a Crusade. Her parents have been killed and her castle sacked, so she needs Richard's support. Her mother was not only murdered but raped, as was best friend Maisry. Alix herself, whether dressed as a boy or a girl, is repeatedly threatened with rape, by men ranging from a dockside mob to Robin Hood! She's also more gently lusted after by a girl her own age and by King Richard! Except, they think she's a boy of nine or ten.
There's also a Scot named Enoch who both protects and bullies her, while wanting half her estate. When Alex/Alix's identity is revealed, Richard agrees to Enoch marrying her, in order to claim the barony, although she by then thinks the worst of Enoch, and her consent during the ceremony is obtained at knifepoint! Things are eventually cleared up, including that she wasn't Richard's mistress, and there is a happy ending, but by then there's such a bad taste about the book that it's hard to enjoy.
I believe this was Kaufman's debut novel. She went on to write an Alix trilogy, but although I liked the protagonist, I can't see reading further.
Monday, January 7, 2013
"Hi, This Is Sylvia."
1983, first edition, from St. Martin's Press
Nicole Hollander
"Hi, This Is Sylvia. I Can't Come to the Phone Right Now, So When You Hear the Beep, Please Hang up."
Bought newish for $4.95
Slightly worn paperback
C+
Not as good as the earlier collections, this still has its moments. My favorite strip pairs a then-current ad with politics:
TELEVISION: Spray and Wash gets out what America gets into.
SYLVIA: Send some to El Salvador.
Sylvia's daughter has changed her hair to a shorter, more '80s style, while some of the other young women look more punk. There are of course Reagan jokes. Otherwise, the humor doesn't feel too fresh. That may be why I stopped collecting Hollander for awhile, and I think the next of her books I own isn't until 1995's Female Problems.
Nicole Hollander
"Hi, This Is Sylvia. I Can't Come to the Phone Right Now, So When You Hear the Beep, Please Hang up."
Bought newish for $4.95
Slightly worn paperback
C+
Not as good as the earlier collections, this still has its moments. My favorite strip pairs a then-current ad with politics:
TELEVISION: Spray and Wash gets out what America gets into.
SYLVIA: Send some to El Salvador.
Sylvia's daughter has changed her hair to a shorter, more '80s style, while some of the other young women look more punk. There are of course Reagan jokes. Otherwise, the humor doesn't feel too fresh. That may be why I stopped collecting Hollander for awhile, and I think the next of her books I own isn't until 1995's Female Problems.
Midnight Movies
1983, first edition, from Harper & Row
J. Hoberman & Jonathan Rosenbaum
Midnight Movies
Original price $9.95, purchase price $3.95
Poor condition paperback
C
This mostly covers the sort of movies I disliked most in Cult Movies, sometimes giving a whole chapter to a movie, as with El Topo. And then when they discuss something I like, such as Magical Mystery Tour, they rush through it, and in this case still manage to make an error. (John Lennon as "The Fool on the Hill"? Sloppy!) I did like some of their insights, such as the influence of Catholicism and the Midnight Mass on the ritual of watching films at midnight. But overall, there's too much of the gross and the violent, not my cup of tea.
J. Hoberman & Jonathan Rosenbaum
Midnight Movies
Original price $9.95, purchase price $3.95
Poor condition paperback
C
This mostly covers the sort of movies I disliked most in Cult Movies, sometimes giving a whole chapter to a movie, as with El Topo. And then when they discuss something I like, such as Magical Mystery Tour, they rush through it, and in this case still manage to make an error. (John Lennon as "The Fool on the Hill"? Sloppy!) I did like some of their insights, such as the influence of Catholicism and the Midnight Mass on the ritual of watching films at midnight. But overall, there's too much of the gross and the violent, not my cup of tea.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Heartburn
1983, 1984 Pocket Books edition
Nora Ephron
Heartburn
Original price $3.95, purchase price $2.00
Worn paperback
C+
I always enjoyed Ephron on talk shows, but I don't think that's why I bought this novel. I bought it either because I was curious about the movie (which I still haven't seen) or because the book is discussed in The Queening of America (itself coming up in 1995). Ephron, who died last year, was straight but she coopted camp humor, and made mildly homophobic remarks in this novel. She also made mildly racist ones, or at least the heroine based on her does. There are also disparaging remarks about feminism, yet Rachel tries to present herself as liberal.
The book reminds me a bit of Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York (1972), in that it's about a Jewish New York woman born in the early 1940s. But while Sheila tries to get married, Rachel wonders if she should end her second marriage, since her husband has been having an affair during her entire second pregnancy. This book isn't as funny as Sheila and it's harder to feel sorry for Rachel, partly because she's much better off financially, as a celebrity chef. In fact, oddly enough, although I can't cook, my favorite parts of the book were where she talks about food, especially potatoes' relationship to relationships. I didn't really care about hubby Mark (based on Carl Bernstein) and couldn't see what was so great about him, other than he sang silly songs. I still might see the movie someday, but obviously no hurry.
Nora Ephron
Heartburn
Original price $3.95, purchase price $2.00
Worn paperback
C+
I always enjoyed Ephron on talk shows, but I don't think that's why I bought this novel. I bought it either because I was curious about the movie (which I still haven't seen) or because the book is discussed in The Queening of America (itself coming up in 1995). Ephron, who died last year, was straight but she coopted camp humor, and made mildly homophobic remarks in this novel. She also made mildly racist ones, or at least the heroine based on her does. There are also disparaging remarks about feminism, yet Rachel tries to present herself as liberal.
The book reminds me a bit of Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York (1972), in that it's about a Jewish New York woman born in the early 1940s. But while Sheila tries to get married, Rachel wonders if she should end her second marriage, since her husband has been having an affair during her entire second pregnancy. This book isn't as funny as Sheila and it's harder to feel sorry for Rachel, partly because she's much better off financially, as a celebrity chef. In fact, oddly enough, although I can't cook, my favorite parts of the book were where she talks about food, especially potatoes' relationship to relationships. I didn't really care about hubby Mark (based on Carl Bernstein) and couldn't see what was so great about him, other than he sang silly songs. I still might see the movie someday, but obviously no hurry.
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