Review by Choice Review
Corn (emer., Stanford Univ.) and Latimer (California College of the Arts) provide five perspectives on the life of Gertrude Stein. Scholars of art history know Stein as an extremely important patron of avant-garde master artists including Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso; the latter's portrait of Stein, undertaken when the artist was practically unknown, infamously took 80 sittings and marks the beginning of cubism. Scholars of literature appreciate Stein's writings, which were the textual equivalent of the modernist paintings she promoted: form largely replaced content. Gender studies scholars and those in the GLBTQ community find in the relationship between Stein and Alice B. Toklas a template for domestic partnership and collaborative activism. This richly illustrated book, created to accompany an exhibition of the same name, presents these and other aspects of Gertrude Stein's life, work, and legacy in five chapters (stories). The first two focus on her biography and relationship with Toklas, including their development of a signature fashion statement. The third not only examines Stein's friendships but also reveals collaborations with artists. Chapters on Stein's celebrity and legacy (demonstrated with a wide variety of contemporary artwork) round out the volume. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers. E. K. Mix Butler University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
