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Black & White
Black White
Author: Dani Shapiro
From the author of Family History (“Poised, absorbing . . . a bona fide page turner”—The New York Times Book Review) and the best-selling memoir Slow Motion, a spellbinding novel about art, fame, ambition, and family that explores a provocative question: Is it possible for a mother to be true to herself and...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780375415487
ISBN-10: 0375415483
Publication Date: 4/3/2007
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 29

3.5 stars, based on 29 ratings
Publisher: Knopf
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Black & White on + 412 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This is quite reminiscent in its plot of "Exposure" by Kathryn Harrison, which was a little unsettling... That being said, I really liked this novel about a woman whose childhood was spent as a model for her mother, a famous photographer. She leaves home and severs all ties to her mother for 14 years, only to return when she is dying. Good exploration of relationships; good character development. Pretty intense.
reviewed Black & White on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This book really pushed the envelope.... the line between art and abuse is something you will have to decide for yourself.
I feel it was well written. you are drawn into the lives of these women,and cant leave without helping them through to the end....or into the next generation of artists..... I was hooked from the start......
brandyjp avatar reviewed Black & White on + 58 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book was disturbing and complex, but worth reading. How do you forgive betrayal? Such a hard subject matter to wrap my mind around, but definitely worth reading. This a complex exploration of human emotions.
JTG avatar reviewed Black & White on + 280 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Another great Dani Shapiro book. This one explores the mixed feelings a girl has about her mother and childhood.
margaretlee avatar reviewed Black & White on + 171 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an engaging story, told in very very slow motion. Reviewers who said they couldn't remain interested were probably put off by the writer's tendency to compile descriptive lists of anything and everything (names she finds interesting, what people are wearing, reading, eating or drinking, how a room looks)...The writing isn't terrible but it's slow and languid. What kept me interested was the relationships between the mothers and daughters. If you enjoy art and photography and a sense of mystery, you'll probably find it a worthwhile read.

FYI I listened to the audio book and found the reader a bit dramatic. You might like that...I give her a C for trying too hard.
Read All 5 Book Reviews of "Black White"


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