The Secret Life of Salvador Dali (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This early autobiography, which takes Dalí through his late thirties, is as startling and unpredictable as his art. On its first publication, the reviewer of Books observed: "It is impossible not to admire this painter as writer ... (Dalí) succeeds in doing exactly what he sets out to do ... communicates the snobbishness, self-adoration, comedy, seriousness, fanaticism, in short the concept of life and the total picture of himself he sets out to portray." Superbly illustrated with over eighty photographs of Dalí and his works, and scores of Dalí drawings and sketches.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (March 3, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486274543
• ISBN-13: 978-0486274546
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #90,759 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dali: Genius and Spoiled Brat, October 20, 1998

By A Customer

Those fascinated by Dali's artwork will want to read this autobiography. Dali provides 400 pages of commentary describing/explaining the symbols of his artwork.. Mostly psychoanalytic approaches. There are a number of descriptions of events that shaped his thoughts from childhood. A great read for anyone seeking companionship in a world that resists weirdness.

28 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Revealing Self Portrait of a Great Artist, December 6, 1999

By	D.C.Meyer (New Orleans, LA USA) - See all my reviews

This book reveals that in addition to being one of the century's greatest visual artists, he was also a tallented and entertaining writer. Dali's personality is all here-- the brilliance, the cruelty, the humor, and the megalomania.

If you compare this with other sources you'll find that the chronology for his youth is off, and (not surprisingly) some incidents are creatively embellished. Still, anyone interested in the artist should read this book first-- it's a great self portrait by a brilliant eccentric artist.

14 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A striking book of genius, art, and eccentricity, May 13, 1997

By A Customer

This book is the ultimate in thought and surrealism. Salvador Dali covers everything from polymorphism to why he doesn't eat spinach, and he does it with a bang! Excellent