The Opposition…

And the Pursuit of Happiness

Maira Kalman

Discussion: 2010-Oct-Nov-Dec

Why we're reading this: October 28, 2010
[close] October 28, 2010

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2010-Oct-Nov-Dec

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* December 2010
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 11 views

last updated Feb 26, 2011 12:22AM

* November 2010
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 11 views

last updated Feb 25, 2011 10:56PM

What Members Thought

Sep 16, 2010 Kathrina rated it liked it

Shelves: memoirs-bios

I'm drawn to pretty pictures and artistic ramblings on personal experience, tidbits of rarely-acknowledged history, oddball nonsequiturs, etc. This one looked cute and maybe inspiring and elucidating. I was excited. I mentioned my plans to read it to a friend. She said, "Oh, you mean the one by the woman who had an affair with Len Riggio?" WHAT?! Suddenly the book felt dirty. Len Riggio is the CEO of Barnes & Noble, the company that's been putting food on my table for over a decade. He's a multi I'm drawn to pretty pictures and artistic ramblings on personal experience, tidbits of rarely-acknowledged history, oddball nonsequiturs, etc. This one looked cute and maybe inspiring and elucidating. I was excited. I mentioned my plans to read it to a friend. She said, "Oh, you mean the one by the woman who had an affair with Len Riggio?" WHAT?! Suddenly the book felt dirty. Len Riggio is the CEO of Barnes & Noble, the company that's been putting food on my table for over a decade. He's a multimillionaire, and I'm not, but still I think he's a decent fellow. Anyway, Maira's husband, Tibor,also an artist, died in 1999. Soon after, Maira published the The Elements of Style Illustrated, which was hugely marketed by Barnes & Noble. Really huge. The book was everywhere. Maybe it did not do so well. Suddenly the book was discounted half-off. Then it was remaindered. Rumors flew. Are they having a lover's tiff? Is it personal?
Well, it's all just rumors. I cannot and will not speak for the quality of their relationship. It is fact that Riggio gave Tibor his first job in New York, managing the flagship store. The couples (yes, Riggio is married) were close. Maybe it's all innocent and remaindering her book was just business. Who knows. I will not let the sordid story dirty my appreciation of Kalman's work anymore...
But still, I did frequently ask myself, why am I reading this? The art is quirky, and I like the mix of paintings, quick sketches, and photography. I like her theme of pursuing the patriotic pursuit of happiness. But she kept tempting you with maybe a word of insight from her interviews with Ruth Bader Ginsberg, or Katherine Abbott, or the man on the street, but she never brought it all the way home. She'd suddenly end with a picture of a cake or pie, and I'd be like, yeah, I like pie, too, but what where you going to say about Ginsberg?! This book would maybe make a nice template for a homeschool project or family vacation journal, but don't expect a history lesson here. Nonetheless, it's Kalman's optimistic approach to life which makes this book worthwhile, and a little bit contagious. But not with Riggio cooties. ...more

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