Customer Reviews

Edie: Girl on Fire

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Interest in "Factory Girl" Edie Sedgwick has been renewed by a half fictional biopic. And "Edie: Girl on Fire" attempts to get into the head of the girl (incorrectly) described as the first person famous for being famous -- the text isn't much, but the many pictures are delightful.

It's mostly composed of quotes from various people who knew Edie -- lovers, pals, coworkers, and even the man she was briefly married to. It studies her early life, her life as the star of the Factory, and even quotations from Edie herself ("You care enough, that you want your life to be fulfilled in a living way, not in a painting way, not in a writing way").

It's also filled with dozens and dozens of photographs -- maybe on average, two per page. Close-ups, photo shoots, candids of her laughing and posing and smoking and talking and just grinning, and pictures of her while filming her movies with Warhol. Wedding pics, sketches, dancing silly hats, early socialite clubbing days, and more intimate pictures such as Edie carefully sculpting a clay horse.

Edie herself is the main reason to see this -- her charm and vibrancy can really be felt through the camera lens, and you can really see how beautiful she really was, even when her life was falling apart. And the pictures show her in every which way, in all states of mind.

The beauty of the pictures is fortunate, because they're strung on the thin text like wooden beads on a piece of thread. The quotes are nice, often informative, but they make Edie seem like some kind of idealized angel who had no real flaws. And those essays that pop up every now and then are just revolting squishy and worshipful -- it's impossible to get a sense for what Sedgwick was actually like.

"Edie: Girl on Fire" is a simply brilliant photographic record of Edie Sedgwick's all-too-brief life. But the text isn't nearly as fulfilling -- just enjoy the view, and glean what you can of the Factory Girl from the images she left behind.

This is the tragic story repeated again and again of Edie Sedgwick, born into historically noted and millionaire family.
This book has many more pictures than some of the other books.Also,many pictures of her before becoming Andy Warhol's muse.
Co-written by David Weiss, who also co-directed Ciao Manhattan! It is a familiar story of beauty and drugs and the dismal consequences.She seems emotionally fragile, breaking apart from page one to the end.
It is tragic but readable and each the photographs speak a thousand words.
She has a fascinating kind of face which doesn't hide or betray her feeling.I love this just for the pictures.
Who other than she could have brought such elegance to a t-shirt and fishnet stockings.
If you prefer more pictures,this is the right book you.
For more personal history of her life, Edie:American Girl would be better

I'm an art director and found this at a friends house who got it a few days ago. Perhaps the best looking book and highest quality printing I have seen in a very long time. The book is large, the binding is top quality and these things are only to be outdone by the content. SO MUCH - over 190 pages of HUGE Photos, in-depth articles and interiews by people who worked and knew her. If you're into the 60's...fashion...Edie...Warhol...its a must. You have to grab it.

FINALLY! Someone did Edie justice. The most wonderfully written book and the photos are to die for. Get this and her biography by Jean Stein if you don't already have it.

Not only is this book beautiful to look at, with material not seen elsewhere, the choice of images and the organization and thoughtfulness of the content provide an insightful and compassionate look at a soul trying to find space to live. It's a window into the times as well.

edie sedgwick is portrayed throughout her life and stands out not only as warhol's 'girl of the year', but as 'the american girl of all years'. she is more beautiful and appealing than many hollywood movie stars, including elizabeth taylor and natalie wood. for the best pictorial review of the edie magic throughout the years, this is the book to get. the text and quotes are always interesting. david weisman oversaw a great tribute and it's definitely edie.

This is one of the most beautifully put-together books I think I've ever seen. The abundance of unseen photos - perfectly reproduced - makes it worthwhile, and the text is fascinating too. Plus you get a full-length CD with Edie's last interview (from the audio sessions for "Ciao! Manhattan"). Cheers to the authors - Edie would love this!

Edie: Girl On Fire is chalked full of rare pictures and new commentary from the people who knew Edie the best, her husband, friends and family. The co-author of the book, David Weisman, not only shares never-before-seen pictures of Edie but, also marvels at the Edie obsession some 36 years after her death. Weisman and Painter do an excellent job of portraying the real Edie through pictures and stories shared by Edie's family and friends. They don not romanticize Edie as being an victim. In fact, they show that Edie was just like the rest of us - a flawed human being who was trying to find a place in the world during a turbulent time period. Edie's flaws are not glossed over or explained away. Instead, they show what a disturbed and lost young woman she was. Weisman himself knew Edie personally for years. Weisman saw Edie at her zenith and watched her fall apart and ultimately lose her life because of her own addictions and obsessions.

One of the best parts of the book is the pictures. After years of seeing the same Edie pictures over and over, there are finally pages and pages of glorious "new" pictures including scrapped "Life" magazine photoshoots and newspapers covering one of the many fires that Edie started at various hotels due to her speed usage. Another awesome part is the CD of audio interviews Edie conducted towards the end of her life for what would be her last movie "Ciao! Manhattan!" (made by co-author Weisman). Edie talks about her many drug trips and her time at the Factory. She is candid, well spoken and heartbreaking. When listening to this CD of Edie's voice and looking at the pictures, you almost want the ending to change. You want Edie to pull through all this garbage and rise from the ashes like a phoenix. Just like any story, the ending never changes and there is really no happily ever after.

Edie Sedgwick was a huge influence on my generation, and this beautifully rendered book recalls her well--her style, her class, her spirit of fun, her utter cool. Elan, panache, she had it all.

Then she blew it. Just like Brian Jones, Jim Morrison, Janis and Jimi, this deity proved as mortal as the rest of us. And just as vulnerable and, yes, stupid.

EDIE: GIRL ON FIRE remembers her spark and flame, her effortless incandescence. Possibly even more moving than the overwhelming variety of fantastic images is the remarkable audio on the CD tucked away on the inside back cover. The disc allows Edie to tell us about herself in low, measured Holly Golightly-like tones, and she is both deeply affecting and utterly contemporary.

A beautiful book. Very well researched. People who love the original Edie bio (Stein/Plimpton) will find a whole new side of her here. The photos are to die for. Mostly never seen.