Aaliyah : More Than a Woman [Mass Market Paperback]

Christopher John Farley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 27, 2001

Aaliyah Dana Haughton was that music business rarity: a teen idol who transformed herself into a critically acclaimed hip-hop soul artist, a singer who successfully made the transition to actress, and a beautiful woman who never let the trappings of celebrity go to her head. Following her impressive debut at age 14 with the album Age Ain't Nothin' but a Number, Aaliyah raised the bar with her hugely influential and bestselling follow-up, One in a Million. She then took her talents to Hollywood, starring in the action thriller Romeo Must Die and the highly anticipated horror film The Queen of the Damned. But soon after the release of her third album in the summer of 2001, Aaliyah's life was cut short in a tragic plane crash.

Here is the inspirational story of the star The Washington Post dubbed "Hip-Hop's Lady Di" -- a woman who, by the time of her death at age twenty-two, touched legions of fans around the world with her haunting voice and gentle spirit.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Beyonce Knowles of Destiny's Child Aaliyah was an angel.

About the Author

Christopher John Farley, a graduate of Harvard University, is the music critic for Time magazine, and interviewed Aaliyah shortly before the accident that claimed her life. He is the author of the novel My Favorite War and is working on a new novel about the Caribbean titled The Chocolate Gale. He lives in New York City.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: MTV Books (November 27, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743451406
• ISBN-13: 978-0743451406
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,895 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Pop Culture
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Musical Genres > Popular
  • #17 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > African-American & Black

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gives a bit more insight; helps with the healing process, December 5, 2001

By 

Deborah L. Rouse (Silver Spring, MD. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aaliyah : More Than a Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this in one day; it's an easy read, and still feeling the loss over Aaliyah that I do, I had no desire to put it down. Farley (obviously being a TIME writer) does a very nice job here. He gives background, not just on Aaliyah but on a good deal of music history that influenced Aaliyah and her generation. There is not a great deal in here that fans have not read in newspapers or heard on MTV and the like, but what Farley does do is offer a point for fans to begin healing. Farley offers at a point in the book, Why Aaliyah? What is the meaning behind it? I honed in on this because I can't count how many times I questioned God on this. He writes, "What is the answer to the riddle of tragedy... Simply by caring, by connecting emotionally to [this] event we give [it] meaning. In other words, the search for meaning itself can be meaningless. We create the meaning ourselves; what we take from such experiences is entirely in our own hands."
Farley clearly had a deep respect and like for Aaliyah and it shows. This is a very intelligently and thoughtfully written piece. I did learn a few new things, which I was happy about. Aaliyah, as Farley states, will never become a has-been, some aging soul star doing jigs onstage with the likes of a Justin Timberlake type. (I like Timberlake, but the point is well made.) Aaliyah is forever perfect; God never gave her an opportunity to mess up, to wrinkle, to be forgotten. He really exhalted her higher than she would have ever been down here on earth, where us carnal folk revel in the screw ups of those famous and privledged few. She is forever beautiful, talented and respected. Her spirit will always be gentle, her smile always bright. Farley, thanks for taking the time to do this, I appreciate it and I know Aaliyah's fans will too. It means a lot to know you cared enough to help us understand this wonderful young woman a little bit more. To Aaliyah's family, I am always praying for you! She was the best!!!!!

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderfull book about a wonderful star, January 11, 2002

By 

A 12-year old reader (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aaliyah : More Than a Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

I think all r&b music fans can agree that aaliyahs death was a tradegy. She will be greatly missed. It was obvious there would be plenty of tributes and books for her. The first and best aaliyah book is More than a woman by Christopher John Farley. Wonderfully written and put together. Great pictures too. Only thing is the cursing here and there not a major problem but MF word comes up a few times. But simply a fantastic book. I learned some things i never knew.You will basicly learn about her life her music movies friends family and even about the music industry in general. The perfect book for the ultimate aaliyah fan.

RIP

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Please don't waste your time or money, July 1, 2002

By 

chekia (Kansas City, MO, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aaliyah : More Than a Woman (Mass Market Paperback)

Okay,I am a Aalyiah fan, and I am a person who loves to read. So when this book came out I ran to get it. I would not recommend this book to anyone who has cable or internet access. The information in this book was stuff that I could see on E's true hollywood story or VH1's behind the music or visiting a website. This book did not offer anything we already didn't know about Aaliyah. So if you have cable or internet, don't get it. It was rushed and hurried. I think the person who wrote the book was looking for a quick dollar. If a book is going to come out, it should be written or influenced by those who KNEW her.