Barbara M. reviewed The Lonely City: Adventures in the Art of Being Alone on + 147 more book reviews
I had requested this book through paperbackswap.com after seeing it on someone's recommended reading list. While I didn't have any preconceived notions/expectations of the book, I found it disappointing and tedious. The only reason I am giving it two stars instead of one is because the biographical info on some of the artists was interesting. I grew up in the 50s and 60s so know of Andy Warhol. I wasn't familiar with any of the other artists--even those who were contemporaries of Warhol.
The author, as some Amazon reviewers have noted, opens most chapters with her own experiences of loneliness and then segues to an artist who, according to her, apparently struggled with loneliness based on her research of the artist and his/her works. The first artist she discussed was Edward Hopper (b. 1882-d. 1967). She talked about his paintings and how they conveyed (at least based on her interpretation) loneliness. What I found frustrating about this is that there were NO pics of Hopper's work to accompany her commentary (or pics of any of the other artists' work). I could have googled the pics, I suppose, but I usually read when I'm at a coffee shop and don't have my laptop with me. Furthermore, if the author couldn't be bothered to include photos, why should I spend my time googling the referenced artwork?
I didn't think this book was very cohesive. It seemed like the author was working hard to make a connection between the artists' work and what she perceived as their loneliness.
The author, as some Amazon reviewers have noted, opens most chapters with her own experiences of loneliness and then segues to an artist who, according to her, apparently struggled with loneliness based on her research of the artist and his/her works. The first artist she discussed was Edward Hopper (b. 1882-d. 1967). She talked about his paintings and how they conveyed (at least based on her interpretation) loneliness. What I found frustrating about this is that there were NO pics of Hopper's work to accompany her commentary (or pics of any of the other artists' work). I could have googled the pics, I suppose, but I usually read when I'm at a coffee shop and don't have my laptop with me. Furthermore, if the author couldn't be bothered to include photos, why should I spend my time googling the referenced artwork?
I didn't think this book was very cohesive. It seemed like the author was working hard to make a connection between the artists' work and what she perceived as their loneliness.
