Happy birthday Claire, lovely stack of books leading you in all sorts of directions. I am marvelling that you've reached 47 without having read 48 Charing Cross Road tbh but it still leaves plenty of times for rereads and seeing what strikes you each time round. I've not read Monsters yet but it's definitely on my list -I do quite often think about how much harder it is for a woman to get away with all the shite that some male artists do, the curse of having to be likeable!
Thanks Charlie, despite all the snot, it’s been a lovely birthday week and I am feeling very lucky and loved! And I’m over the moon with my book stack (added two more gems over the weekend!). You’re absolutely right about women getting away with less—I always think of this in terms of politicians too, just imagine Theresa May having the same back story as Boris Johnson!! She wouldn’t have been allowed to cross the threshold never mind allegedly turn it into a John Lewis crack den! 😂 And the fact that the female version of art monster is pretty much limited to the abandonment of kids in the pursuit of creativity, when that wouldn’t even register on a male art monster’s misdemeanour list. Grrrrrr.
Nice list. Yes, it is interesting when you learn your favorite art was made by an artist with a questionable past. Ha. I can usually appreciate anything, no matter what the artist might have done but it can twist things for sure. I tend to avoid biographies, afraid of what I'll find out. Excellent post, Claire.
Thanks Parker! It was an absolutely fascinating book and I liked that there was no prescriptive or definitive answer to the question she posed. We like the art we like and that’s doesn’t mean we support or condone the behaviour of the artist, and also we all have different measures/triggers. I notice that I have a different reaction to a film with a “monster” actor where you’re looking at their face the whole time, as opposed to watching the work of a “monster” director. And I totally get your biography avoidance!
Happy birthday! (and commiserations to poor kiddo for a snotty school holiday week). Are there seriously ANY better gifts than books?! So many great ones here. The Dederer, as you say, is marvellous. (I love her writing anyway). 84 Charing Cross Road is the loveliest book ever written (fact), and I attended a talk by Jane Chomeley, another great book. Have the tissues ready for Joanie's Blue Nights...and thanks again for the mention!
Also, another mother/writer essay coming out tomorrow, just putting the finishing touches to it! As you say, these themes are so interesting. I mention it in tomorrow's essay, but a book rec (once you've worked through all your birthday ones, of course...) The Abandoners: Of Mothers and Monsters. Fantastic read.
Thank you, Kate—on both counts! And an extra thanks for the advance book rec, an honour! That sounds perfect for a deeper delve into where a lot of the monsters and artist mothers research crosses over, abandoning kids to make space for creativity. I’ve spied that’s a forthcoming chapter in Dederer too. Look forward to reading your newsletter tomorrow!
Thanks so much, Fiona! ❤️ On both counts. I really am very excited to get stuck into this pile of goodies and as you say they will still be ready and waiting when this horrible cold is long forgotten!
Happy birthday Claire, lovely stack of books leading you in all sorts of directions. I am marvelling that you've reached 47 without having read 48 Charing Cross Road tbh but it still leaves plenty of times for rereads and seeing what strikes you each time round. I've not read Monsters yet but it's definitely on my list -I do quite often think about how much harder it is for a woman to get away with all the shite that some male artists do, the curse of having to be likeable!
Thanks Charlie, despite all the snot, it’s been a lovely birthday week and I am feeling very lucky and loved! And I’m over the moon with my book stack (added two more gems over the weekend!). You’re absolutely right about women getting away with less—I always think of this in terms of politicians too, just imagine Theresa May having the same back story as Boris Johnson!! She wouldn’t have been allowed to cross the threshold never mind allegedly turn it into a John Lewis crack den! 😂 And the fact that the female version of art monster is pretty much limited to the abandonment of kids in the pursuit of creativity, when that wouldn’t even register on a male art monster’s misdemeanour list. Grrrrrr.
So pleased you like all your birthday books. Really intrigued to hear your thoughts on Monsters.
Thank you so much 😘 Super lucky and super grateful. Will definitely fill you in on Monsters, but so far so fascinating (and excellently written).
Nice list. Yes, it is interesting when you learn your favorite art was made by an artist with a questionable past. Ha. I can usually appreciate anything, no matter what the artist might have done but it can twist things for sure. I tend to avoid biographies, afraid of what I'll find out. Excellent post, Claire.
Thanks Parker! It was an absolutely fascinating book and I liked that there was no prescriptive or definitive answer to the question she posed. We like the art we like and that’s doesn’t mean we support or condone the behaviour of the artist, and also we all have different measures/triggers. I notice that I have a different reaction to a film with a “monster” actor where you’re looking at their face the whole time, as opposed to watching the work of a “monster” director. And I totally get your biography avoidance!
Happy birthday! (and commiserations to poor kiddo for a snotty school holiday week). Are there seriously ANY better gifts than books?! So many great ones here. The Dederer, as you say, is marvellous. (I love her writing anyway). 84 Charing Cross Road is the loveliest book ever written (fact), and I attended a talk by Jane Chomeley, another great book. Have the tissues ready for Joanie's Blue Nights...and thanks again for the mention!
Also, another mother/writer essay coming out tomorrow, just putting the finishing touches to it! As you say, these themes are so interesting. I mention it in tomorrow's essay, but a book rec (once you've worked through all your birthday ones, of course...) The Abandoners: Of Mothers and Monsters. Fantastic read.
Thank you, Kate—on both counts! And an extra thanks for the advance book rec, an honour! That sounds perfect for a deeper delve into where a lot of the monsters and artist mothers research crosses over, abandoning kids to make space for creativity. I’ve spied that’s a forthcoming chapter in Dederer too. Look forward to reading your newsletter tomorrow!
Yes, it reminded me very much of Dederer's book/chapter.
Happy Belated Birthday 🥳 xx
Sue! Thank you so much 🥳😘
Happy, happy birthday- the best kind with a pile of books! (They will still be there to enjoy when the snot dries too; hope she feels better soon!)
Thanks so much, Fiona! ❤️ On both counts. I really am very excited to get stuck into this pile of goodies and as you say they will still be ready and waiting when this horrible cold is long forgotten!