Emin's Strangeland
WORDS: Yasmin Begum (Youth Editorial Group)
Before reading this book I like many others held a somewhat pessimistic and negative view of Tracey Emin and her work. I always associated her with her late-night drunk ranting and swearing on chat shows after winning the Turner Prize [that's why I love 'er. ? Ed], and?with her eccentric art works, including a dirty bed surrounded by numerous dirty things. This book, however, dramatically changed that.
Strangeland is not an a complete autobiography but chronicled memoirs that read like a fragmented biography. Similarly it should not be approached as a straightforward memoir. It reveals a sensitive, emotional and strong woman. Emin tells us all about herself and her family, and we are exposed to a totally different Tracey Emin than we see through her artwork. Strangeland is suprisingly lyrically beautifully and Emin shows her clear flare for dazzling originality; a fresh voice in the sea of autobiographical writing, where cliche is bound to happen- but not with Tracey Emin.
She spares us no humiliating detail about herself which makes this all the more likeable to read, she is starkly honest with herself and her work, this diary is the defintion of brutal frankness. Heartbreaking at times, this work is poignant and Strangeland's content will linger in your mind long after you've finished it.
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