Karen Karbo has created a new form of biography in which the author not only recounts the life of her subject but considers it in light of her own. This draws powerful as well as hilarious comparisons between women of the past and present, often showing that women today face the same frustrating challenges as their forbears as individuals as well as artists. There is not a page in this book that will not make you laugh, think, or gasp. Karbo has transformed the work of a biographer into something unexpected, captivating and illuminating all at once. While I do have an art history degree I don't read a lot of art history books since the text book days but this is an art history meets pop culture meets memoir meets humor book all rolled up in one and I approve. I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to read more when I had to put it down. This book was reviewed in a local paper and clipped the article and put in a pile: to read later. And one day recently ordered all the books I meant to read from the library. Many I have returned briskly. I hadn't even realized who the author was and a local Portlander until I started to read. I stopped to look at the author photo and bio after I laughed again and wanted to know who this funny lady is. I'm definitely going to check out her other two famous women books about Kate Hepburn and Coco Chanel. The Georgia. O'Keeffe came third.I've never been super drawn to O'Keeffe but I think what sold me on this book was the second title: Lessons on the Art of Living. I've made my life as an artist and as I read this book I found myself feeling a kin to Georgia. I grew up in the Midwest, had loving but hands-off upbringing that allowed me a lot of time to explore and play and grow on my own. I also tend to work hard but then as Karbo describes Georgia can be proto slacker for days and then "work her ass off". I liked seeing so many similarities to my own life and hers. I enjoyed Karbo's own opinions and storyline and modern comparisons thrown in. The book helps put the time period in context and all the relationship stuff with Georgia and Stieglitz and his art connections and their connections was also interesting to me. I think in 10 years the book will feel dated as its loaded with current pop culture funnies. But it also made it a great read now. Thanks for the great book!
"Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant...making your unknown known is the important thing."
—tsee
Mixed reviews on her writing style, but overall an entertaining easy read about Georgia.
—mlwehr
I enjoyed this, but found the author's writing style irritating after a while.
—anyb0021
Just ok.
—Nzingha7
