Book Reviews January
22 December 2009
Burlesque Poster Design: The Art of the Tease
Yak El-Droubie and Ian C. Parliament
Korero Books
4.5 stars
Who doesn’t love burlesque and who doesn’t love a poster? Burlesque Poster Design: The Art of the Tease delivers over 100 years of burlesque posters. From the Parisians music halls of the 1880s to modern burlesque here the women who immortalised the art are celebrated.
All the burlesque stars of old are noted, including Tempese Storm. And the inclusion of the fan dancers is bliss. Besides the beauty of the visuals this is a much needed document that we have waited for too long. It’s also a must have for graphic designers.
Dita: Stripteese
Dita Von Teese & Sheryl Nields
It Books
5 stars
You may notice a theme in this month’s book reviews. Dita: Stripteese is another ode to the art of burlesque. For fans of Dita Von Teese, you will long cherish this series of flip books.
From her famed Martini Glass Show, where our heroine bathes in a martini glass resplendent with an olive sponge to her Bird of Paradise extravaganza where Dita performs a timeless sexy fan dance this is all you ever wanted from Dita and more.
Photographer Sheryl Nields work is stunning as is the keepsake box that houses the flip books. A must have for those with a costume fetish.
Dolltopia
Abby Denson
Green Candy Press
4.5 stars
I love everything about this book, especially the title. Have you ever wondered what would happen if the dolls fought back?
Acclaimed graphic novelist, Abby Denson, has and Dolltopia is what she came up with. Our protagonist, Kitty, a ballerina doll, has questions about her existence. Not happy with her current situation, holed up in a suburban home where she is forced to engage in stereotypical domestic games with Soccer Scotty, a male doll happy with the status quo, Kitty escapes.
She teams up with action figure, Army Jim, whose bound for Dolltopia - a world separate from humans. What follows is sheer brilliance.
Girls Like Me
Teri Louise Kelly
Wakefield Press
4 stars
Teri Louise Kelly’s first poetry anthology is like her previous works a no holds barred ride. Even in her more sombre moments the words are beautifully economical and always served with a more than healthy dose of honesty.
Humour has long been Kelly’s weapon of choice and she uses it well. Even in the sharp tale of childhood brutality in a young offenders prison, (Ode to Luiz #2), Kelly’s humour has the last word.
Girls Like Me is as fun and furious as it is poignant and insightful. Kelly just keeps on delivering.
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