Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music

by Leigh H. Edwards

Dolly Parton is instantly recognizable for her iconic style and persona, but how did she create her enduring image? Dolly crafted her exaggerated appearance and stage personality by combining two opposing stereotypes--the innocent mountain girl and the voluptuous sex symbol. Emerging through her lyrics, personal stories, stage presence, and visual imagery, these wildly different gender tropes form a central part of Dolly's media image and portrayal of herself as a star and celebrity. By developing a multilayered image and persona, Dolly both critiques representations of femininity in country music and attracts a diverse fan base ranging from country and pop music fans to feminists and gay rights advocates. In Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music, Leigh H. Edwards explores Dolly's roles as musician, actor, author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur to show how Dolly's gender subversion highlights the challenges that can be found even in the most seemingly traditional form of American popular music. As Dolly depicts herself as simultaneously "real" and "fake," she offers new perspectives on country music's claims of authenticity.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Gender Studies

270 pages, Paperback

Published January 6, 2018

About the author

Leigh H. Edwards is Associate Professor of English at Florida State University.

Reviews

[Sage · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been a Dolly fan forever, and this book was so fascinating. Well researched and thought out, with great critical analysis. I was expecting it to be more biographical and not so heavily academic, but once I got my head around the academic presentation, it was quite good. Made me want to go on a listening binge of all things Dolly 🥰

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched. Thoughtful. Striking. Clear-eyed. Accessible scholarship.

[Travis Rountree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read. Hugely impressed by Edwards’ critical take on the celebrity and persona of Beloved Dolly. HIGHLY recommend!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This certainly took me a while to read—it’s a pretty comprehensive, academic reading of Dolly Parton and her career. It’s definitely informed my thinking in my Tacky South Project.

[Sceox · Rating 1 out of 5]

Appealing premise (to me) headed by three great epigraphs (all by Dolly), and then it goes nowhere. Predictable, poorly written,unentertaining, and the thesis isn't so out there as the author seems to believe. Most disappointing is that the author seems to overlook the fact that Dolly is literally an angel; this insight, which is known to any Dolly fan, could have deepened the ideas around gender, since angels have a very strange place in relation to sex and gender.

[Deedra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book,if you want to learn how Dolly dealt with being a woman in a mans world and keeping her music going.It felt like a school course.I thought it would be more biographical,so that was a dissapointment. Lee Ann Howlett was a fine narrator.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.

[Mikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Dolly Parton and are used to texts with an academic bent, then why not give this a try? Only made me love Dolly more. I frequently stopped reading to listen to the songs referenced and I am definitely inspired to have a Dolly Parton movie night now. Fun critical perspective on this niche area of pop culture. Next time I go to Dollywood, I will look at it in a new way. Do not go into this expecting a biography, expect more of a lit review.

[Aria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decent premise. Eventually grew tired of hearing about what it was going to demonstrate or, "show," & gave up on it ever showing me anything. It was over an hour of waiting for something substantial, or interesting.....so I stopped. DNF.

[Jeanine · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a dull book, especially given the fascinating subject matter

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some interesting information but was a dull read overall & very repetitive

[Veronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and informative, but extremely repetitive.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this academic analysis of Dolly Parton’s image it’s many meanings and manifestations.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dolly Parton, Gender, and Country Music
: Leigh H. Edwards


If you are looking for a biographical book about Dolly, this book isn't for you. On the other hand if you want to find out how Dolly built and shaped her brand, you'll love this.



The narration was well done by Lee Ann Howlett.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.