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About Women: Conversations Between a Writer and a Painter
A provocative and wide-ranging conversation between two distinctive women—one American and one French—on the dilemmas, benefits, and demands of womanhood.
Lisa Alther and Françoise Gilot have been friends for more than twenty-five years. Although from different backgrounds (Gilot from cosmopolitan Paris, Alther from small-town Tennessee) and different generations, they found they have a great deal in common as women who managed to support themselves with careers in the arts while simultaneously balancing the obligations of work and parenthood. About Women is their extended conversation, in which they talk about everything important to them: their childhoods, the impact of war on their lives and their work, fashion, self-invention, style, feminism, even child rearing. They also talk about the creative impulse and the importance of art. This is a charming and endearing dialogue between two intelligent and often funny women as they ponder what it means to be a woman.
From the Hardcover edition.
Lisa Alther and Françoise Gilot have been friends for more than twenty-five years. Although from different backgrounds (Gilot from cosmopolitan Paris, Alther from small-town Tennessee) and different generations, they found they have a great deal in common as women who managed to support themselves with careers in the arts while simultaneously balancing the obligations of work and parenthood. About Women is their extended conversation, in which they talk about everything important to them: their childhoods, the impact of war on their lives and their work, fashion, self-invention, style, feminism, even child rearing. They also talk about the creative impulse and the importance of art. This is a charming and endearing dialogue between two intelligent and often funny women as they ponder what it means to be a woman.
From the Hardcover edition.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 17, 2015
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607 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 16, 2017
As its subtitle implies, About Women is a series of conversations, transcribed and presumably edited, between the American novelist Lisa Alther and the French artist Françoise Gilot. (Gilot is also well known, as her author bio on the back flap makes a point of mentioning, for her relationships with famous men, including Picasso and Jonas Salk.) In theory, I think this is a fantastic idea for a book. How can conversations between accomplished creative people fail to be interesting? Quite easily, as it turns out! First, have them talk about their mothers and grandmothers for more than half the book, repeating themselves so often that the reader begins to wonder if Alther and Gilot, neither of whom is young anymore, had actually forgotten that they'd already covered this ground several times before. Then, when they finally turn to a new topic, have that topic be... fashion. Pages and pages on fashion. When someone says something interesting, as when Alther mentions that, after being a Southern debutante and marrying a man, she eventually fell in love with another woman, immediately turn away from it and get back to Gilot talking about her First Communion dress or something equally unfascinating.
Indeed, Gilot dominates most of the conversation, and this is a problem, because she's in her nineties and a lot of her ideas, particularly concerning fashion and the relationships between the sexes, are quite antiquated. She talks as if she's a spokesperson for the entire country of France, but I can't help but think a lot of younger French people would disagree with her take on many things. This entire book is kind of hermetically sealed in the past—there is very little acknowledgment of the contemporary world beyond Alther's and Gilot's heads. They don't even get around to talking about their own creativity until 30 pages from the end, and that's for only a few pages before they move on to talking about religion, a topic that wears out its welcome about 20 pages before the book mercifully ends. The title About Women seems to imply that this book has universal qualities to it, but in my opinion nothing could be further from the truth. This book is about Alther and Gilot (and Gilot's clothing choices) and not much more.
After initially seeming promising, this book became so exasperating that I considered abandoning it, but I kept going because I figured it wouldn't take too much longer to finish and I could then offer an authoritative opinion on whether this book is worth your time. The verdict: It isn't. Unless you're a fan of either of these women already, you just won't get much out of this. Your precious reading time is better spent just about anywhere else.
Indeed, Gilot dominates most of the conversation, and this is a problem, because she's in her nineties and a lot of her ideas, particularly concerning fashion and the relationships between the sexes, are quite antiquated. She talks as if she's a spokesperson for the entire country of France, but I can't help but think a lot of younger French people would disagree with her take on many things. This entire book is kind of hermetically sealed in the past—there is very little acknowledgment of the contemporary world beyond Alther's and Gilot's heads. They don't even get around to talking about their own creativity until 30 pages from the end, and that's for only a few pages before they move on to talking about religion, a topic that wears out its welcome about 20 pages before the book mercifully ends. The title About Women seems to imply that this book has universal qualities to it, but in my opinion nothing could be further from the truth. This book is about Alther and Gilot (and Gilot's clothing choices) and not much more.
After initially seeming promising, this book became so exasperating that I considered abandoning it, but I kept going because I figured it wouldn't take too much longer to finish and I could then offer an authoritative opinion on whether this book is worth your time. The verdict: It isn't. Unless you're a fan of either of these women already, you just won't get much out of this. Your precious reading time is better spent just about anywhere else.
August 28, 2015
This was a fascinating insight into the lives of two artists, two cultures, two histories, and two women. Told in dialogue form between writer Lisa Alther and painter Francoise Gilot, they provide compelling insights as they discuss everything, from their childhoods (both during different wars) to the differences of growing up in the Southern United States and in Paris, France, and through it all, what it is like to be a woman in the ever changing world. As I read, I felt a part of their conversation, mentally adding my own opinions and feedback that made me feel a part of the book. A wonderful read.
- Lauren W. Doubleday Marketing Department
- Lauren W. Doubleday Marketing Department
August 1, 2015
I won this book from Goodreads. This is about two ladies that have been friends for more than 25 years, Gilot was born in 1921 in Paris and is a painter. Alter born in 1944 is from Tennessee and is a best selling author. Even though they are different generations, they have much common ground as women who supported themselves with careers in the arts while working and being parents. In this book they talk to each other about their childhoods, war, and their views on love, style, self invention, feminism, and child rearing.They also talk about being creative and how important art is to them. This was a very different book, but I have always been interested in women's issues so I really enjoyed reading it.
August 2, 2015
A wide-ranging series of conversations between two feminists. It was too much of a 'mutual admiration fest' for this grumpy reader. I received this book via Firstreads.
August 24, 2015
This was a fascinating insight into the lives of two artists, two cultures, two histories, and two women. Told in dialogue form between writer Lisa Alther and painter Francoise Gilot, they provide compelling insights as they discuss everything, from their childhoods (both during different wars) to the differences of growing up in the Southern United States and in Paris, France, and through it all, what it is like to be a woman in the ever changing world. As I read, I felt a part of their conversation, mentally adding my own opinions and feedback that made me feel a part of the book. A wonderful read.
January 8, 2016
Really, 4.5 stars. Reading this book is like eavesdropping on a conversation between these two fascinating women, one an artist the other a writer. They talk about their childhoods, about the shadow of war on their lives, fashion, religion, family...Alther and Gilot are from different generations and different countries and they compare and contrast their upbringings and cultures. I won this book in a Goodreads Givaway and had no expectations when I started reading it but I am very glad I did.
August 22, 2018
An intoxicating read!
An intoxicating read that will leave you wanting more. Includes invaluable insights, personal historical accounts and perspectives from two extraordinary women. You’ll drink in every page gaining a broader understanding of the world. Cheers Lisa Alther & Françoise Gilot!!!
An intoxicating read that will leave you wanting more. Includes invaluable insights, personal historical accounts and perspectives from two extraordinary women. You’ll drink in every page gaining a broader understanding of the world. Cheers Lisa Alther & Françoise Gilot!!!
July 31, 2024
"William Blake says something like, 'He became what he envisioned.' That's what I thought was important when I was young, to become what you intuit, not just to mix a little of this with a little of that. That's fine for everyday life, but it's not fine in terms of finding a direction for your development as a human being." ~ Françoise Gilot
"...you must become one, that your thoughts, speech, and action must be harmonious and cut from whole cloth. That explains why I could identify with someone like Pablo Picasso, who was forty years older than myself...." ~ Françoise Gilot
"...if you compliment what's good, they understand that this is the way to proceed, and their limitations fall by themselves like deciduous leaves. In France, people spend all their time talking about what is wrong. It's like that national sport." ~ Françoise Gilot
"I agree that if you focus on the positive, it will force out the flaws." ~ Lisa Alther
A wonderful and insightful discussion between the exceptional Françoise Gilot, and her American writer friend, Lisa Alther. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these women chat. Françoise has so much history, so much experience, especially since she spent her twenties with Pablo Picasso. She is a stunning human, inside and out. I loved reading her words, learning about her life, her views and thoughts. Lisa was also interesting to read, and it was insightful to hear the two women speaking together about different generations, countries, cultures, what it means to be a woman, cultural norms, societal expectations. Ah! So much packed in one novel. Great read. Wish I could have hung out with them to chat about life.
"...you must become one, that your thoughts, speech, and action must be harmonious and cut from whole cloth. That explains why I could identify with someone like Pablo Picasso, who was forty years older than myself...." ~ Françoise Gilot
"...if you compliment what's good, they understand that this is the way to proceed, and their limitations fall by themselves like deciduous leaves. In France, people spend all their time talking about what is wrong. It's like that national sport." ~ Françoise Gilot
"I agree that if you focus on the positive, it will force out the flaws." ~ Lisa Alther
A wonderful and insightful discussion between the exceptional Françoise Gilot, and her American writer friend, Lisa Alther. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these women chat. Françoise has so much history, so much experience, especially since she spent her twenties with Pablo Picasso. She is a stunning human, inside and out. I loved reading her words, learning about her life, her views and thoughts. Lisa was also interesting to read, and it was insightful to hear the two women speaking together about different generations, countries, cultures, what it means to be a woman, cultural norms, societal expectations. Ah! So much packed in one novel. Great read. Wish I could have hung out with them to chat about life.
March 19, 2019
Much easier to read at 25 than at 21, and I imagine that continues as we age.
Just outmoded enough to get the thoughts percolating, this lush dialogue offers a trans-Atlantic sense of just what it took to be a 20th-century artist in a female body. Each titan's voice is candid, feminine, opinionated and introspective. You might put it down, but you know you'll certainly return.
A marvelous, stylish text.
Just outmoded enough to get the thoughts percolating, this lush dialogue offers a trans-Atlantic sense of just what it took to be a 20th-century artist in a female body. Each titan's voice is candid, feminine, opinionated and introspective. You might put it down, but you know you'll certainly return.
A marvelous, stylish text.
October 12, 2017
Peak white feminism.
January 7, 2018
I was hoping for more insight into their working minds. I felt like I had dropped into a luncheon that was being recorded.
December 22, 2023
3 1/2 stars.
January 16, 2016
There is so much that one can say about this book and then there is not. I am not trying to be obtuse when I say this. What I mean is that reading this book is a gift. As the reader, you are invited to listen in on a conversation between these two exceptional woman. To sit here and go through all the various stages and perspectives of the book would be the ultimate disservice to the authors.
What I will say is that if you are an artist and/or a writer, this book should be on your shelf. You should read it and understand that this glimpse into Lisa Alther and Françoise Gilot worlds is something to be cherished. In all truth, man, woman, young, or old, this conversation has a lot to give to the reader. At different times in your life you might glean different insight from the pages of this book, but no matter what, this is worth a read.
After reading (and re-reading) it, I found myself asking the question what does it mean to be an author and an artist that is a woman? I am not sure that I have the answer yet, but every now and then while I am sitting at my desk, the conversation between these two women creeps back into my head. They are my friends now, whether they realize it or not. Because of this book, they let me into their worlds for just a moment. And for that…I am grateful.
- See more at: http://artbookscoffee.com/bookshelf/b...
December 21, 2015
As a member of the male persuasion I am always open to listening in on the conversations of women. This is usually especially rewarding when the women in question have significant experience in life upon which to base their thoughts and opinions. That is precisely the case here. You are listening to the thoughts of a famous painter, Francoise Gilot and a well know writer, Lisa Alther. The majority of the conversation deals with the environmental factors, (war, fashion, feminism, and US/France cultural differences)that influenced their lives and the lives of the women around them (children, mothers, aunts and grandmothers). Very little is said about the influences of the men around them. Fashion and style comprises a surprisingly large chunk of the text with an equally surprisingly degree of influence attributed to it. What I found most revealing were the discussions of the differences in US/French cultural attitudes. There were also significant passages about the influences of their early childhood which I found a little fanciful since I remember very little before age six. As successful elder artists, they are surely entitled to their opinions but in several places I found them a bit full of themselves. Because it is all conversation, it reads fairly quickly but I found it very dry with little humor, irony or levity.
February 2, 2017
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and this is my opinion on About Women: Conversations Between A Writer And A Painter. Lisa Alther was born in 1944 in Tennessee. She has written several novels, a memoir, and a narrative history of the Hatfield and McCoy feud. Francoise Gilot is a famous Painter born in Paris in 1921. She has a painting in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. She lived with Pablo Picasso for 10 years and wrote the book Life With Picasso. She was also married to the American vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk. Lisa and Francoise have been friends for 25 years. In this book of their conversations, they talk a lot about how the culture that they were each brought up in affected them. Also, how they were nurtured by parents and others, and the role that played along with culture, to form the artists they became. Then they also discussed: country and familial situations, feminism, religions, money, and relationships. I thought this was a highly relatable and enjoyable book to read!
December 4, 2015
A totally enjoyable book that is basically a two -person narrative, conversatiion between two women. Both are well known and successful artists, both writers, although Françoise Gilot is much better known for her paintings. Lisa Alther has written a a number of successful books.
But the book is in-depth chatting at times: fashions and feminism, French versus American cultures, their families, including parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents, and yes, some religion. A little historical background. A potpourri so to speak of two women from two different generations and two differnt countries but
who are both highly capable and articulate.
Makes for good, easy and interesting reading.
Photos of both women from various stages of their lives as well as photos of some of Gilot's paintings are scattered throughout the book.
I won this treasure in a Goodreads giveaway.
But the book is in-depth chatting at times: fashions and feminism, French versus American cultures, their families, including parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents, and yes, some religion. A little historical background. A potpourri so to speak of two women from two different generations and two differnt countries but
who are both highly capable and articulate.
Makes for good, easy and interesting reading.
Photos of both women from various stages of their lives as well as photos of some of Gilot's paintings are scattered throughout the book.
I won this treasure in a Goodreads giveaway.
April 7, 2016
You got two old bitty's making mundane conversations about their lives--mostly boring, lasting to long, and not very insightful. Lisa is a famous writer from the American south and Francoise is a French artist who was married to Picasso. Francoise is a generation older than Lisa and I just really didn't like her as she seemed out of touch. They are both supposed to be feminists, but Francoise's views are not in many ways, such as thinking street harassment is flattering to women, thinking we need to be seductive human beings, that directly saying no to unwanted advances will hurt men's pride, and all these other horrible kind of views. I know there are some cultural and age differences there, but I just thought some of the text ran to some medieval views. I kept going, "Wait, what did this lady just say?!" Pass on this one!
January 31, 2016
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for a review. For me this was a hard book to read for a few reasons. One was the format. I think it would have been better told as a story. The format is better suited for a magazine. Also the way the book pages were uneven. I've had books like this before and I know it has nothing to do with author but it makes the book hard to read since I am a page flipper when I'm reading. Aside from that what these two woman have to say is interesting. I just lost my way several times as to who was saying what and had to backtrack a lot. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to read this book
June 1, 2016
I liked it pretty well. Nice to hear women discussing many different life issues, some of which don't get much airing. Especially good to hear from women artists, made me interested in checking out your works.
Ms. Gilot, I respectfully disagree with your viewpoint on "what men do in France" re sexual harassment. It is still harassment, and in fact people are speaking out against this. I understand that it's good to be friendly, but I'm not buying it.
I enjoyed the rest of your discourse though. Cheers. :)
Ms. Gilot, I respectfully disagree with your viewpoint on "what men do in France" re sexual harassment. It is still harassment, and in fact people are speaking out against this. I understand that it's good to be friendly, but I'm not buying it.
I enjoyed the rest of your discourse though. Cheers. :)
May 25, 2016
I found myself having a lot of reactions to this book and while I didn't love it I'm glad I read it. Seeing the different generational perspectives of Lisa Alther and Francoise Gilot (French painter and mother of Paloma Picasso) was interesting as were the cultural differences. It was also interesting to read a book that felt more like a conversation. Like most conversations of several hours it had it's ups and downs. Still a good read.
January 4, 2016
Though the co-authors' view on many topics was interesting, I don't think the book format renders well the conversation between the two women. I might be someone who reads too fast to be able to feel the rhythm of the interview. Also, as a woman in my twenties and a woman from Quebec, I found it hard to relate to the conversation at many times (and again, i had issues with the format: i felt frustrated that i could not intervene in the discussion).
August 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It's one of those books where you learn so many little tidbits about history told from two separate people. It took me the first 100 pages to make the Picasso connection and that added to the cohesiveness of a few of the stories. As usual, this book does omit a bit of the plight of people of color who existed in the decades they speak of as well, but it's still super interesting and well worth a read.
July 17, 2016
Reading this is a bit like eavesdropping on two old friends who are reminiscing about life, love and childhood. Two women, two separate continents, two distinctly different artistic careers, two stories of war, two perspectives on complex relationships and two unique retrospectives that cause the reader to reflect on one's own life lessons, experiences and friendships.
October 1, 2015
[I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.]
Interesting -- and perhaps if I was more in-touch with my feminine side I would have related to it more strongly (which is my failing, and not that of the author).
Interesting -- and perhaps if I was more in-touch with my feminine side I would have related to it more strongly (which is my failing, and not that of the author).
April 7, 2016
Features an ongoing conversation by two women from different generations, one a writer and one a painter. Topics include spirituality, marriage, parenting, war, art, clothing, and others. Occasional insight. Includes B/W photos.
January 9, 2016
Review to follow.
February 16, 2016
Review to come.
March 8, 2016
Although I did not agree, necessarily, with a lot of Lisa's and Francoise's conclusions, I did enjoy their thoughtful conversations.
July 21, 2016
The book should be called About Two Women, one French, the other American. Entertaining, not profound. A 3.6
March 25, 2016
Discovered Francoise Gilot after viewing a collection of Robert Capa photographs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews