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"The Importance of Being Barbra" |
Book Review/June 2006 |
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Barbra Might Even Like
this One
Here's a new Book
that Barbra Streisand herself might even appreciate. "The Importance
of Being Barbra" is an intelligently constructed literary
documentary that neither preaches nor relies on stale Hollywood
gossip to tell its story |
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Intelligent,
Thought
Provoking
June 21, 2006
With none of the fanfare that accompanied the publication of
a controversial Streisand (supposed) tell-all earlier this year,
freshman author Tom Santopietro has quietly released an
intelligent and often compelling book called The Importance
of Being Barbra. The focus of this tome is directed solely
on Barbra Streisand's art; you won't find mention of romance,
soundstage gossip or political opinion. Instead, what
Santopietro offers is a straightforward, albeit personal
analysis of Barbra's dramatic and musical canon, pure and
simple. His approach is academic and editorial in nature, and
represents his own perceptions of the enormous successes (and
rare misfires) in Streisand's career. Santopierto's encyclical
succeeds because he carefully outlines his personal commentary
on Streisand's public art without using a bully pulpit. Though
one may challenge his opinions along the way, as I did with his
disregard for Streisand's "What About Today?" album, his
personal analyses are consistently thought provoking.The
author's commentary tends to get repetitive at times (Streisand
as a gay icon is a theme Santopietro revisits ad nauseam,
seemingly forgetful of Barbra's universal appeal), and with few
exceptions (an incorrect song reference on the Stoney End
album comes to mind), most of his research is impeccable.
The
book reads more like a thesis than a biography. Chapters are
neatly organized by artistic genre, theories proffered and
conclusions and opinions always drawn. If you've seen the
movies, heard the music, and attended the concerts, there is
little by way of revelation for you here. The author, however,
will engage you, and you will find yourself amazed at how
enthusiastically you agree with or vehemently oppose his
conclusions. That's the real fun anyone familiar with
Streisand's résumé will have as they buzz through this fast-read
book.
It is worth noting that the author has compiled an outstanding
chapter on Barbra's evolution as a politically passionate and
socially responsive citizen. His discussion of Barbra's politics
does not proselytize liberal thought, but rather presents a
straightforward timeline on how Streisand became politically
aware - and why so. The author describes the enormous impact
Streisand has had in recent years, utilizing her artistry to
advance the cause of critical social change. He goes on to
further document how Barbra's fundraising and Beltway networking
have been effective in impacting government. It's fascinating
stuff, and it's Santopietro's most compelling section of the
book.
In the vernacular used by the book's author, I give The
Importance of Bring Barbra an solid 'A' for the thought
provoking nature of its dialogue, and for the author's desire to
share rather than impose his views.
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