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melanietalksbooks's review
3.0
The book was interesting but I think it said more about what the author wanted Elizabeth Taylor to be than who she was. Yes, she fought for aids and did a few roles that were empowering to women. She also dimmed herself to make her husband feel bigger. She obviously took roles in order to give her husband a career. She could have done so much more if her whatshisname cradle robbing husband hadn’t held her back. She spoke up when she was older and no longer the Elizabeth Taylor of back in the day.
pocketvolcano's review
5.0
Lovely little book! This has encouraged me to watch the films listed herein to see their messages in a feminist light. Elizabeth Taylor was so much more than a beautiful woman, she did so much in her own way to break down barriers and in the last three decades of her life she led the charge to change people's views about AIDS. If not for her, who knows how much longer it would have went unresearched and unfunded? A wonderful woman who has made a lasting impact.
monicatdwyer's review
4.0
I really enjoyed it, I read it in one sitting.
It made me laugh, cry and fall deeply in Love with Elizabeth Taylor
This book is a mixture of lots of things
part feminist essay to part film reviews and summaries and part biography.
"She looked Hellman in the eye. 'You can call me cunt,' she said slowly. 'But do not call me Miss Lizzie.'"
It made me laugh, cry and fall deeply in Love with Elizabeth Taylor
This book is a mixture of lots of things
part feminist essay to part film reviews and summaries and part biography.
"She looked Hellman in the eye. 'You can call me cunt,' she said slowly. 'But do not call me Miss Lizzie.'"
andforgotten's review
3.0
This is quite insightful, both about feminism in general, as well as Elizabeth Taylor as a person and her movie characters. It was a pleasant read that made me regret I haven't seen some of the mentioned films yet.
However, it was almost a bit too pleasant to read. Obviously it's meant as non-fiction and not a proper scientific text, but I would have appreciated some more informations or citations of feminist texsts and more elaboration on the films/characters.
However, it was almost a bit too pleasant to read. Obviously it's meant as non-fiction and not a proper scientific text, but I would have appreciated some more informations or citations of feminist texsts and more elaboration on the films/characters.
annap5519's review
4.0
A uniquely fascinating concept about a uniquely fascinating women. It was a unnecessarily drawn out in some places but if you grew up in her heyday you will appreciate and enjoy this.
cynthiabemisabrams's review
5.0
This is one of my top 5 most favorite books on my shelf. I recommend it as though I was related to the author and buy copies for friends and acquaintances because I am convinced it will open their eyes.
Lord does a tremendous job, as a fan, scholar and accomplished writer, of tracking a series of Elizabeth Taylor's high profile decisions. On paper (or the screen) they seem unconnected. Viewed on a continuum and through the words of a woman, a reader instantly has a better understanding of Taylor.
Highly, highly recommend!
Lord does a tremendous job, as a fan, scholar and accomplished writer, of tracking a series of Elizabeth Taylor's high profile decisions. On paper (or the screen) they seem unconnected. Viewed on a continuum and through the words of a woman, a reader instantly has a better understanding of Taylor.
Highly, highly recommend!
purlscout's review
3.0
i did enjoy reading this, but i think it would make a better documentary film than it does a book. the subject itself is interesting conversational fodder. and i can see how it would have been an interesting lecture or paper topic for a women's studies or film class. but without the films (or at least film clips) to accompany the text the book loses some of it's power and falls flat.
piperlime's review
2.0
Like many readers reported, it read as a middle-school dissection about the works of Elizabeth Taylor in the vein of feminism. With that said, the only reason why I soldiered on with this read was due to the fact I'm a huge, huge fan of Elizabeth but it could have been a far more engaging piece of work. This honestly felt like the work of a burnt out author out to make a profit off of this legend and in all, it was a disappointment.
erinrbowles's review
4.0
loved the structure and format and wish similar books were written for my personal favorite stars (garbo, shearer, hayw0rth, and stanwyck come to mind immediately, then i realized i wrote the essay version already for hayworth...one day maybe that will turn into a longer project and my mother will finally be proud of me)
tldr of course the "feminism" that lord voraciously clings to is white feminism
tldr of course the "feminism" that lord voraciously clings to is white feminism
arcookson's review
3.0
Caveat: aside from a Taming of the Shrew viewing in AP English (which I barely recall), I haven't seen any of Taylor's films. I am a Millennial, so Elizabeth Taylor is the crazy lady who was pals with Michael Jackson. She had many, many marriages, sold perfume, and was Cleopatra.
Oh, but she was so much more. If there is an honest, legitimate biography of Taylor, I would like to read it.
The Accidental Feminist is fun, though I'm not quite sure I buy the premise. Lord writes, "I'm not projecting feminism onto Austin Pendleton's version of The Little Foxes." It feels like she is projecting feminism onto most of the other roles/movies she covers.
Nevertheless, I'm adding Giant, and possibly BUtterfield 8 (the first half) and Suddenly, Last Summer to my to-watch list.
Oh, but she was so much more. If there is an honest, legitimate biography of Taylor, I would like to read it.
The Accidental Feminist is fun, though I'm not quite sure I buy the premise. Lord writes, "I'm not projecting feminism onto Austin Pendleton's version of The Little Foxes." It feels like she is projecting feminism onto most of the other roles/movies she covers.
Nevertheless, I'm adding Giant, and possibly BUtterfield 8 (the first half) and Suddenly, Last Summer to my to-watch list.