Frida Kahlo: An Open Life (Paperback)

by Raquel Tibol (Author), Elinor Randall (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Tibol, a Mexican art critic, befriended Frida Kahlo in 1953, a year before her death. She portrays the Mexican painter as a strangely beautiful woman, an artist whose "pitiless immersion in the subconscious" yielded a "stern and tragic surrealism" with roots in Mexican folklore and photorealist painting. Originally published in Spain in 1983 and now ably translated into English for the first time, this sometimes sketchy yet intimately revealing biography splices the author's impressions, excerpts from Kahlo's journals, letters to her husband Diego Rivera, interviews, medical records and oral testimony by Kahlo. A bus accident in which she was involved at age 18 made the painter's life an ordeal of constant physical suffering. Tibol probes the spiritual strength that enabled Kahlo to rebel against adversity. In her view Kahlo was maternal toward the obsessive, childish Rivera, yet their marriage was nevertheless one of mutual nourishment, growth and support. Kahlo's frank discussions with Tibol about the psychosexual symbolism in her paintings makes this a valuable source for those who want to understand her art. Photos.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Rekindled interest in the life of Frida Kahlo is in full force. Nevertheless, this biography is a useful addition to the numerous books that have come out in the past seven years (e.g., Martha Zamora, Frida Kahlo: The Brush of Anguish , LJ 1/91; Hayden Herrera, Frida Kahlo: The Paintings , LJ 5/15/92). For one thing, it is written by a respected Mexican art critic and friend of Kahlo. For another, it adheres closely to source material such as diaries, letters, and exhibition catalogs. It is refreshing to note that unlike many publications, the book does not focus on the sexual behavior of the artist or her husband, Diego Rivera. Instead, the reader is given a generous dose of Kahlo's political and artistic views. Unfortunately, this is sometimes done at the expense of pleasurable reading. An inexpensive counterbalance from 1983 now in English.
- Susan M. Olcott, Columbus Metropolitan Lib., Ohio
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press; Later printing edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826321887
• ISBN-13: 978-0826321886
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #799,921 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Frida Kahlo, A Strong and Noble Survivor of a Trying Life, June 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Frida Kahlo: An Open Life (Hardcover)

This book is a documentary on the life of Frida Kahlo. It is interesting because it doesn't focus soley on her art, but more directly emphasizes her emotional strength as a woman. A large portion of the book is exerpts from private conversations with Frida, as well as diary entries, medical records, and personal letters. Her life is filled with tragedy, but the book shows the incredible spirit of Kahlo as she faces near death and struggles as a female artist in a male dominated world. This book also gives the reader insight into the famed relationship of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Frida Kahlo: An Open Life, is written by Raquel Tibol who befriended Rivera in the 1950's and subsequently met and lived with Kahlo a year before her death. This book provides an unique perspective on the personal life of the very strong willed Kahlo.

2.0 out of 5 stars Frida Kahlo: An Open Life, January 12, 2002

By A Customer

It's an interesting subject, but I found the book to be quite confusing. It skips around chronologically and often fails to explain fully the events that are mentioned. In addition, the translation is quite awkward in places. I would presume that the translator was attempting to preserve the flavor of the original, but she does so in a way that interferes with comprehension.