I always like to do a little research on the authors before I start writing my reviews. In this case, it actually helped make a lot od sense: Petersen is a professor and part-time writer for sites like Buzzfeed and The Hairpin, which is probably why her book reads a little like a dissertation and a little like an article you’d find in Slate. I’m not going so far as to say that’s a bad thing, but for a topic with such promise of dirt and skullduggery, I was expecting a little more oomph and a little less dryness. With the Internet Age in full swing, it’s almost impossible for celebrities, especially of the highest caliber, to have secret lives anymore. Eyes and smartphones are everywhere, capturing every drunken rant, outfit-gone-wrong, and public make out session. Back in the early 1900s, everything was different. If adjusted for inflation, the amount of hush-money paid off to fan magazines and newspapers would be…well, probably a lot. And so Petersen delves into the world were public personas were carefully curated and lives private.
Oh this seems right up my alley
Adding to the list!
Also, you mention Big Band music…is there stuff about Artie Shaw in here? Because his life — and marriages — is always one of the more fascinating to read about.
It did not. I was just looking for a better fit than “rock and roll” for the title.
I had a lot of the same qualms as you about this one, even though I found it mostly enjoyable. What I missed most was the sarcasm from her Hairpin long reads. That tone didn’t quite translate over.
I haven’t read anything else by her, but I’ll have to go look for those!
She did an interview with the podcast Longform, and I really, really liked her and found her work super interesting. She talked a lot about her book, so you might be interested in checking that episode out.
Longform is also just an awesome podcast in general.