From These Roots
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I picked this hardback copy up from a discount store in Cardiff for the princely sum of £3.00. As a big Aretha fan I couldn't believe my luck. The price should really have been a clue that it would not live up to my expectations. A foretaste of what was to come was given in the first chapter as Aretha tells us of her parents separation. She couldn't tell us why they separated however because she herself wasn't told, and in those days, "small children were respectful of adult matters". Fair enough, had she not continued in a similar vein throughout the rest of the tome. For example, she has a relationship with some public figure whose identity she refuses to reveal. Throughout the publication she refers to him as 'Mr. Mystique'. The point I am making is best illustrated by the following passage, "Each of my visits to the White House has been exquisite with one exception: the evening I met another musical diva whom I will have the good taste not to name and who is an artist of exceptional gifts. I was delighted to meet her. But because of an innocuous statement I made about her escort, she became just short of irate, and tempers began to flare in harsh tones under one of the great works of art in one of the historic rooms. My good manners and upbringing prevailed." (Page 242) So what was the innocuous statement? Do her fans want to read about the defining moments in her life or about trivial spats like these? Is Aretha using the book as a vehicle to score points against people she doesn't like? Most importantly, who was this diva? There is a lot to be said for showing a little integrity and not rattling other people's skeletons, but if you undertake a biography, then it is that integrity which you are selling. The punters have paid good money for a complete story and in my opinion this book is not telling one. I doubt if the people who remain un-named find the situation satisfactory either. It only serves to create rumour and speculation and anybody close to events would probably guess their identities anyway. Sadly, I felt very cheated with this book. I had the impression throughout that I was only being given half a tale. The real meat which should have gone into it was replaced by descriptions of the dresses she wore, trite testimonies to lesser artists and tedious name dropping. At one point were are even treated to a recipe for making ice cream. Sorry Aretha, but this was not what I paid my hard earned cash for and I suspect there are many others who feel the same. At £3.00 I may just about have received some value for money.
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Why Not visit the Authors other Website, 'The Alternative Blackpool Website' at http://www.localdial.com/users/jsyedu133/bpool This Site Last Updated 18/05/05
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