Madonna: Like an Icon

J ai acheté ce livre il y a une dizaine d'années. Comme je l'avais beaucoup apprécié, les 60 ans de madonna ont permis une réedition qui a permis de raconter les denieres années de la vie de madonna. J espere qu il sera traduit en français comme la premiere fois.

Easy and quick to read, I found Like an Icon a thorough, enjoyable and engaging read.I had recently read Taraborrelli's Madonna biography and I thought that starting yet another Madonna bio would be a bit too much. However they're both very different in the perspectives they've been written from and I really enjoyed Lucy's book. Whereas Taraborrelli's is more focused on Madonna's personal life, or so has stuck to my memory, O'Brien writes just enough about this facet of Madonna; I perceive much more info about Madonna's work and her public role than strictly personal stuff. And I like that.I loved Lucy's ability to write about Madonna's music, albums and tours in a way that informs and educates, but without being too technical, which would make it a tedious read. This way, the book holds interest of readers, imo. So, all in all: great read, exceeded my expectations.When I posted the above review on Twitter, Lucy O'Brien said: "Hey, thank you SO MUCH for these thoughts. I feel that Madonna's approach to music has been woefully overlooked, and I was really curious about what motivated her in the studio and how she worked with musicians. So glad you 'got' this!!" To which I replied: Completely agree. The world's always focused on M's controversies, personal life, etc. and strayed from her music & touring (and her role in global culture, philanthropy..), which is what makes her the great, ground breaking artist she is. Honours and recognition will come too late as always".

"Madonna: Like An Icon" is probably the most insightful book about Madonna that I've ever read. It's not a trashy unauthorized biography, it is a serious look at Madonna as an artistic force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, that may not be something everyone is into, because many people would rather buy into the myth of Madonna as a man-eating, sex-crazed control freak. The author of this book, Lucy O'Brien, has said that too many biographies of the icon have focused on her sex life and her image-changing at the expense of her work. Beneath the sometimes superficial facade, Madonna's work has a depth and sociological resonance that many people underestimate or fail to understand.However, to be fair, this is not exactly a biography. But what's the point of a "Madonna biography" by now? Her life is the stuff of myth that even casual fans are familiar with. Instead, O'Brien only focuses attention on Madonna's personal life when it relates to her art, her passion and her identity as an artist. It's more of a character study, and a very insightful one. Her mother's subservience, religious fanaticism, and untimely death made Madonna reject traditional values. Although this is well-known by now, O'Brien adds dimension and legitimacy to this theory. The sexual assault she faced in New York compelled her to project an image of assertiveness and control, in order to prevent losing control and facing attack again. This dominating attitude was reflected in her work, constantly turning the tables on men in the game of sex. The details on her love life were also only mentioned when they related to her music. The vulnerability and loneliness she encountered during the crumbling of her marriage to Sean Penn made her create the confessional "Like a Prayer" while a string of disappointing lovers afterwards contributed to the cynical tone of "Erotica". There is also a great deal of attention that focused on her tours, her creative process, her cultural impact, and her artistic influences. I found this very refreshing. It showed how much the author respected and admired her as an artist, not just a "controversial chameleon". While O'Brien is a big fan of Madonna's, she is fair and objective when needed. She is rather critical of her "Sex" book and questions her interests in Kabbalah.Something that I also enjoyed were the interviews from her collaborators and friends. They portrayed Madonna in a light that is very different than the "queen bitch" Madonna of legend. Many people remark on how warm, vulnerable, and sweet she can be in unguarded moments. Those intimate moments with close friends and trusted colleagues. I've always suspected that this version of Madonna is closer to the real thing than the controlled, imperious image she often presents to the world. The interviews with her collaborators also revealed how focused, savvy, direct, and, yes, wildly talented she is when working. Her work is her safe haven, the place where she can freely express herself and reveal herself and explore new territories. "Madonna: Like An Icon" drives that point home like no other book that I've ever read before.

This is one of the best Madonna biographies (the other is Chris Ciccone).

Great front cover, small for posting, beauty