It’s Alive! Frankenstein at 200 Review

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is one of those novels. If we did not read the novel, we have watched at least one of the numerous film adaptations.

Published in 1818, The Morgan Library is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the book and the history of the narrative in the exhibit, It’s Alive! Frankenstein at 200.

Containing manuscripts, images, movie posters, and other memorabilia, the exhibit lays out the history of Frankenstein from a novel to a cultural icon that still lives with us 200 years after it’s premiere.

I truly enjoyed this exhibit. The exhibit is laid out in such a way that the visitor is not overwhelmed by dry academic facts. It starts off with Mary Shelley, takes the reader through her life, the publishing of the novel, the reaction of the public and finally to the various adaptations that have come about over the years. It is fun, entertaining and educational without hitting the visitor over the head.

I recommend it.

The Morgan Library is located at 225 Madison Avenue at 36th Street, New York, NY 10016. It’s Alive! Frankenstein at 200 will be at The Morgan Library until January 27th, 2019.  Check the website for ticket prices and hours. 

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Flashback Friday-True Life (1998-Present)

It has been said that we can never truly understand how another person thinks or feels until we walk a mile in their shoes.

For over twenty years, MTV’s ground breaking series True Life (1998-Present) allowed the audience to walk a mile in the shoes of each episode’s subjects.  Addiction, sexuality/coming out of the closet, dealing with personal issues and health issues, life changes are just some of the subjects that have been presented to the audience.

What I appreciated then and now about True Life is that punches were not pulled. The reality of subject’s lives were not glossed over. Unlike other reality shows, this program showed real human beings dealing with stuff that we all deal with. Especially with controversial topics, True Life humanized the topic by putting a face to a name and allowing the viewer to connect emotionally to person whose story they were watching.

I recommend it.

Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger Book Review

Gloria Steinem is said to have once stated the following:

“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.”

Rebecca Traister‘s new book, Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger, explains in no uncertain terms that American women are angry and not afraid to show that anger. For far too long, women’s anger has been dismissed, especially in politics. An angry women is a b*tch, unlikable and therefore not able to speak for and represent her potential or existing constituents. In the book, Ms. Traister writes about the history of how women’s political anger in the United States has transformed the country in such a way that we can never go back to where we came were.

I loved this book. Powerfully written, Ms. Traister not only illustrates how far we have come, but how far we have to go.

I heartily recommend it.