Widow Basquiat: A Love Story
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,History & Criticism
Widow Basquiat: A Love Story Details
Review An NPR Best Book of the Year Selection“Stunningly lyrical . . . Original, insightful, and engrossing. . . . While filled with pop culture anecdotes art fans might seek—Andy Warhol and Rene Ricard both make appearances, for instance—Clement’s account is an honest love story above all else.”—Publishers Weekly“Sublime, poetic…[Clement] chronicles her close friend Suzanne Mallouk’s love affair with Basquiat in elegant, spare, riveting prose…A powerful female coming of age story…A harrowing, beautifully told love story about two seekers colliding in a pivotal moment in history, and setting everything, including themselves, on fire.”—Rebecca Walker for NPR"Magical…. Widow Basquiat conjures real characters, a real time and real place. It’s not theory – it’s representation. … The life of Basquiat … is a joyous lightning bolt when it is described in true detail, as it is in Clement’s extraordinary as-told-to poem."—Glenn O’Brien, Artforum"Provocative...With short, episodic chapters, Clement (Prayers for the Stolen, 2014, etc.) delivers real insight into the life of the brilliant artist as well as the glittering—but ultimately chaotic—world that consumed him...Disturbing and poetic."—Kirkus"A beautifully evocative, poetic memoir ... Basquiat was aware of the criteria with which posterity would judge him. Widow Basquiat should be part of those criteria." -The Herald "An engrossing narrative... Clement offers far more clues to the cryptic symbols which litter his [Basquiat’s] paintings than any art critic could." -The Times "A brilliant account of the relationship between Basquiat and his muse and lover ... a compelling book that leaves a giant sized lump in the throat ... Clement hypnotises us with a vivid portrait of Basquiat, powerfully evoking his inventiveness as an artist." -Independent on Sunday Read more About the Author Jennifer Clement studied literature in New York and Paris. She was awarded the NEA Fellowship for Literature and the Sara Curry Humanitarian Award for her most recent novel, Prayers for the Stolen. Formerly president of PEN Mexico, she currently lives in Mexico City. Read more See all Editorial Reviews
Reviews
I bought this book for my husband, and he really enjoyed it. At first, the unusual writing style bothered him, but by 50 pages in, he'd become used to it. He has always been a huge fan of Basquiat's art, but knew little about him as a person. So, he was very disturbed by many of the revelations in this book about Basquiat's true character. For a man who is very respectful of women, the book was almost too much. But ultimately, he came out with a greater understanding of the artist and the art. My husband is a successful artist, so it meant a lot to him to see how Basquiat operated during his depressingly short life.I have not read the book, because honestly the writing style puts me off also. But for a unique look into the artist's tragic life, this book is priceless. And Suzanne's story is one of a woman who really beat the odds. Overall, this book comes highly recommended by Mr. Willis.
