Louise Brooks: Lulu Forever by Peter Cowie
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Book Reviews of Louise Brooks: Lulu Forever
Book Review: Wonderful Tribute
Summary: 5 Stars
Louise Brooks' current reputation rests mostly on two films, both silent, both done in Germany by Pabst: Pandora's Box and Diary of a Lost Girl. This excellently produced book provides more background on this all but forgotten star who, in her day, was a supreme flapper icon. Looking at the marvelous photographs, mostly film stills, but with some candids and modeling shots I've never seen before, you get a sense of why Brooks was such a sensation in her day.
Brooks' influence lived on long after her name and identity in the public mind had faded. Her hair, referred to as that "helmet bob" and her fashion sense, set the tone for generations of confident, independent, sexy young women. This book makes clear that she was more than just a projection of a strong image - she was a very special actress. The text is, at times, a bit too personal and adulatory, but it contains a lot of good, perceptive material on her appeal, and it fills in many details about her not very happy life.
In her two most famous roles, the prostitute-mistress-showgirl in Pandora's Box, and the abused middle-class waif in Lost Girl, Brooks was superb. Pandora is one of the sexiest films ever made, and this without nudity or sex! In Lost Girl, she is the archetype of oppressed femininity, but she rebounds! with a tough, no-nonsense core. Looking through this book takes you back to an earlier era in entertainment when sensibilities and expectations were different. For fans of silent films, it is a great find; for others - see if it doesn't make you a fan!
Book Review: The All Time, All American Beauty: Louise Brooks
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to admit up front that I have always been in love with Lulu Brooks. I am 62, but have thought about her every day of my adult life. Ever since seeing Pandora's Box for the first time in my late teens. I have read virtually all of her writings and several biographies of her life and seen all her extant movies (sadly some have not survived).
This book is mostly photos coupled with a brief biography. But, ah, the photos of this woman! She was so famous during her teens and twenties that the studios and fan magazines hired the best photographers in the world to snap her portraits. Her neck is swann-like; her eyes jet black as is her hair, the eyes penetrate and show a lively intelligence, that "helmet" hairstyle perfectly frames a perfectly symetrical face. She attracted men like flies; led a sexually charged life; was an alcoholic by age 18; partied like there was no tomorrow. Yet through it all her beauty remained.
One photo is enough to convince anyone that she was a very special woman. Her self-destructive behaviour brought her career as an actress to a halting end, but nothing can destroy the utmost beauty of her face and body. Hard to believe she was barely 5'2" and washed up by age 30.
Book Review: Thank you for this book
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all thank you Mr Cowie for this fine piece of art in itself. Myself, I think Louise Brooks is and was the most beautiful actress-model ever. Its hard to put in words how her beauty and expressions move me. I love the look of the 20's and 30's and she was the icon for that era.
This book is not only a beautiful history of Lulu but a fine photo album of her life in her hay day. I only wish I could have at least shook her hand when she was living. As a photographer myself, her beauty is unmatched. If you are a fan of Louise Brooks or and a fan of fine photography of the 1920's buy this book.
She will truely be, forever Lulu Thank you again Mr.Cowie and thank you Mary Louise Brooks.
Book Review: an incredible collection of fantastic photos supported by great writing
Summary: 5 Stars
I loved this book!
The photos alone are priceless and vary in environmental background and photographer personalities. Really fun to look at as a short coffee table book to feast your eyes on. What a beautiful actress Louise was!
The bonus is the well-written and entertaining biographical info that is in the book. Easy to read....it does tend to jump back and forth chronologically but it most enjoyable.
A must have for any Louise Brooks fan or any silent film buff!
This book is something I have wanted to have in my possession for the last fifteen years and finally we have it in our hands!!!
Bravo!!!
Book Review: This book is worth the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this book. The text is fascinating and the pictures are great. I love the big books with nice pictures they have out on some stars now, and this one is just great. If you like the "coffee table" sort of books about the stars another good one is Century Girl by Lauren Redniss, about the life of Doris Eaton Travis. The whole thing is like a beautiful collage!