Beatrice Woods' life was extraordinary in every way, from earliest childhood, when her dominating Victorian mother realized she "wasn't like the rest of them," to her productive life in old age in California's Ojai Valley, where she lived and worked until her death in 1998 at the age of 105. Rebellious, radical and romantic, Wood was determined to be an artist. She fled to Paris for several bohemian seasons as a painter and actress, then returned to New York where she fell into the loving clutches of two French men: Henri-Pierre Roche, the author of Jules and Jim, and Marcel Duchamp, the iconoclastic Dadaist. Her promising youth was followed by a disastrous marriage, financial woes and a debilitating physical affliction; but in 1933 at the age of forty, she discovered the passion that would change her life: pottery. One of America's acclaimed ceramicists, Beatrice Wood shares the intriguing details of her unconventional life in "I Shock Myself". With candor and insight, she recollects nearly ten decades of world-shaking events, heart breaking romances, and artistic achievement. She gives us rare glimpses into the lives of such significant innovators as Duchamp, Roche, Constantin Brancusi, Isadora Duncan, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Anais Nin and many others. She recalls the early days with Theosophist Annie Besant and the young sage Nytyananda Krishnamurti. Above all, it is the mystery of love, sex and romance that intrigues Beatrice Wood and fires the her imagination.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am going to be honest and say what this autobiography meant to me.... Starting with her early days as an artist to an actress breaking from her mother's shell. To her associations with Duchamp,Roche,Varese,Reginald Pole,Krishnumarti and other well-known men. And it tells of the struggles she went through in paying the price to learn of life and her amazing stories in India,France..etc; were very interesting to read. I enjoyed her stories with the beloved Arensbergs' for they were very important in her life. Before this book I didn't have knowledge of most of the artists in her life. She has opened new doors! I laughed hysterically at her descriptions of her years with Pole and Steve.She is a riot!
An amazing woman really. This book will remain with me forever and I will read it again and again. For someone like myself can't beleve there is so much adventure in life. She died this spring at 105,in her heart 32. I would have loved to meet her.All I can do now is remember her and try to learn more about her life and art. I loved her and she is an inspiration to all humanity with her marvelious statements on the facts of life.Afterall,she lived 105 years and paid the price. A definate book to add to a collection for any Beato fan or curious book reader!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
As a potter, I'd hoped to learn more about her art. However,there were some gems to be found in the text. I really enjoyed the stories about several other famous people in her life. She is brutally honest in her opinions and I like that. On the downside... it was a bit too "socially conscious" in places, for my own taste. Overall, I enjoyed the book and will read more by her. I wrote a personal letter to her, regarding her book and she answered me promptly... twice! Great lady! Wonderful clay-artist! :-) An interesting read, for sure.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Being a potter and a Beato fan, I truly enjoyed the time I spent with this autobiography. I was fascinated by how her life unfolded from her relationships with those in art to her own creation of art. How her world which was largely centered around the men she knew, changed as she found herself in clay.
I loved how this story unfolded and I was sad when it ended.
I loved how this story unfolded and I was sad when it ended.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life is a Rollercoaster
If you are uncertain where you life will lead you as a senior citizen, check out this autobiography. In her 70's, when many of her friends were passing from illness, etc. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alic Bell
5.0 out of 5 stars
an inspiring book
This is an amazing book about an amazing life. It is truly an inspiring book about aging and getting better and not giving up on your dreams. Love it!
Published 12 months ago by Lolo
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Friend Beatrice
I knew Beatrice Wood, and lived in her guest apartment one summer in the early Seventies. Her charisma and perseverance will always inspire me to an uplifted existence. Read more
Published on April 21, 2010 by Michael C. Pennington
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful insight into the world of Beatrice Wood
Highly recommended, artist Beatrice Wood's autobiography, "I Shock Myself" gives the read a glimpse into her illustrious life and art. I could not put this book down
Published on June 18, 1997
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