• Massimiliano Capella stworzył książkę "Barbie. The Icon", którą śmiało można określić jako ciekawe kompendium wiedzy o najsłynniejszej lalce świata. Jest zbiorem faktów "w pigułce", także dzięki dodaniu kalendarium (gdzie uwzględniono najważniejsze daty) oraz liczne ciekawostki.
  
  Książkę rozpoczyna krótki przegląd najważniejszych zmian, jakie zachodziły w czasie kolejnych ewolucji Barbie. I tak, począwszy od 1959 roku i narodzin pierwszego modelu "Teen-Age Fashion Model Barbie Doll", poprzez kolejne, jakimi były:
  - "Brunette Bubblecut Barbie Doll" (1962),
  - "Miss Barbie Doll" (1964),
  - "Twist 'n' Turn Barbie Doll" (1967) - będąca pierwszą lalką ze skrętną talią,
  - "Malibu Barbie Doll" (1971),
  - "Superstar Barbie Doll" (1977),
  - "Rocker Barbie Doll" (1986),
  - "Totally Hair Barbie Doll" (1992),
  - "Generation Girl Barbie Doll" (1999),
  - "Jewel Girl Barbie Doll" (2000),
  - "Fashionistas Barbie Doll" (2010),
  - "Fashionistas Curvy Barbie Doll" (2016).
  
  W dalszej części książki mamy grupę tematyczną, gdzie omówiono powyższe serie lalek i wzbogacono je o ukazanie wielu innych wychodzących kolejno w tych latach typów i podtypów lalek. Mamy więc rozdziały zatytułowane kolejnymi latami: "Lata sześćdziesiąte", "Lata siedemdziesiąte" i tak dalej aż do rozdziału "Nowe milenium". Grupa zawierająca te rozdziały najlepiej pokazuje ponadczasowość lalki Barbie, a dzięki umieszczeniu informacji dotyczących ważnych wydarzeń na świecie, akcji społecznych i charytatywnych - czytelnik może udać się w podróż w czasie przez kolejne dziesięciolecia. To tutaj najlepiej widać jak wyglądała ewolucja lalki, jej stylu, sylwetki, wyglądu na przestrzeni ponad pięćdziesięciu lat. Tu też można zauważyć, że Barbie jest inspiracją, odzwierciedleniem estetycznych i kulturowych przeobrażeń na świecie.
  
  Czytelnik może przyjrzeć się poszczególnym słynnym sukniom Barbie (suknia "Spotlight", "Red Flare", "Black Magic Ensemble", oraz suknie inspirowane malarstwem w serii lalek "Barbie Artist Doll" - czyli "Water Lily" (Monet), "Sunflower" (Van Gogh) i "Reflections of Light" (Renoir).
  Omówiono też słynne typy kreacji Barbie: między innymi kreacja "Intrigue", "Jump Into Lace", "Evening Splendor", "Roman Holiday", "Gay Parisienne", "Easter Parade", "Plantation Belle", "Sweater Girl", "Enchanted Evening" i garsonka "Commuter Set". Są to kreacje, które były inspirowane kulturą i stylem obecnym w realnym świecie, a także projekty dla trzech kolekcjonerskich typów Barbie wykonane przez słynnych, topowych kreatorów mody: Escada, Ralph Lauren i Calvin Klein.
  
  Już w tej grupie zaczęto omawiać po krótce poszczególne ważne w historii Barbie serie, między innymi:
  - serię lalek "Hollywood Legends" (i inaugurującą ją Barbie Scarlett O'Hara-Vivien Leigh),
  - serię lalek "Silkstone Barbie Dolls" nawiązujące makijażem, rysami twarzy i elegancją do modelu "Teen-Age Fashion Model" - pierwszej lalki z 1959 roku
  - serię "Dolls of the World Collection", gdzie Barbie występuje w wielu odmianach rasowych wraz z charakterystycznym dla danej grupy etnicznej/danego kraju strojami,
  - serię "Barbie and the Rockers",
  - serię "My Scene Barbie" z nieproporcjonalnie dużą głową w stosunku do reszty ciała i dużymi stopami,
  - serię "Barbie &Co.",
  - serię "Fashion Fever Barbie",
  - serię "Barbie Basics".
  
  Następna grupa tematyczna "Barbara Millicent Roberts", to rozdziały poświęcone historii narodzin pierwszej lalki Barbie, przedstawienie postaci jej pomysłodawczyni Ruth Handler. To tu znajdziemy interesujące ciekawostki, ważne daty i ukazanie "Barbie w liczbach". Dowiemy się, komu zawdzięcza swoje imię Barbie oraz jak powstała firma Mattel i skąd wziął się pomysł na nazwę firmy.
  
  W następnej grupie - "Ikona stylu", Autor omawia styl Barbie w poszczególnych seriach, jej garderobę, uczesanie i tym podobne, wskazując tym samym na różnice w każdej następnej serii. A także przedstawia ważne kolekcje Barbie: kolekcje lalek "Bob Mackie" i "Byron Lars".
  Także tutaj znajdziemy rozdział poświęcony krótkiemu pokazaniu jak wygląda proces produkcyjny potrzebny do stworzenia Barbie, a także rozdział "Rodzina", gdzie mamy więcej informacji na temat Kena oraz sióstr, przyjaciół i zwierząt Barbie.
  Rozdział "Kariera" jest szybkim przeglądem wszystkich zawodów Barbie.
  
  W ostatniej grupie, zatytułowanej "Forever Superstar" możemy przyjrzeć się kolejnym wcieleniom Barbie, do których stworzenia przyczyniły się: kino (na przykład Barbie Bella ze "Zmierzchu"), znane celebrities ze świata muzyki (Barbie Jennifer Lopez, Cher lub Diana Ross), ważne postacie historyczne (Kleopatra, Margaret Thtacher).
  
  Książka ma sporo plusów. Od strony technicznej: dobrej jakości papier (wewnątrz), twarda oprawa i duży format książki - dodają ogólnego dobrego wrażenia. Od strony wizualnej: ogromną zaletą są ładne, barwne, wyraziste zdjęcia.
  Od strony merytorycznej: niewątpliwie książka jest bardzo dobrym ukazaniem tej kultowej już lalki jako zabawki ponadczasowej, ikony stylu.
  
  Jednakże, pomimo moich zachwytów i wysokiej ocenie ogólnej, dopatrzyłam się minusów. Pierwszy i najistotniejszy to fakt, iż w tekście występują dość liczne powtórzenia tych samych zagadnień, które już wcześniej wspomniano (i to nie raz, a kilka razy o tym samym). O ile jest to zrozumiałe po pierwszym ukazaniu ogólnym tematu, kiedy w dalszej części książki Autor poszerza o bardziej szczegółowe zagadnienia, o tyle irytujące jest to w momencie, gdy czytelnik pod koniec książki uświadamia sobie, że właśnie "n-ty" raz czyta o tym samym.
  Drugi minus: brak lakierowanej okładki, zamiast tego okładka jest wykonana z papieru, który może łatwo się pobrudzić.
  
  "Barbie. The Icon" uznaję jako tytuł bardzo dobry i wędruje na listę książek ulubionych. Myślę, że nie raz jeszcze do niej wrócę, choćby dla fotografii, bądź aby przyjrzeć się poszczególnym seriom Barbie.
  
  Polecam.

Opinia opublikowana na moim blogu:
https://literackiepodrozebooki.blogspot.com/2021/06/barbie-icon.html

by Barbie Wilde

Voices of the Damned is a collection of short stories by Barbie Wilde that can be graphic, very sexual and sometimes violent in ways that some readers may find disturbing.

The first story, Sister Cilice, is about a woman who was coerced into becoming a nun by parents who repeatedly told her she was sinful. She indulges in self flagellation and is tormented by sexual fantasies about her priest, eventually equating pleasure with pain. She finds an ancient book that guides her to a way to indulge her perverse needs.

The story is dark and disturbing, graphically detailing sado-masochistic acts. The author has invented a new word, scrupulosity, which fits oddly well in context.

The stories that follow have similarly disturbing themes. Zombie gang rape, a creepy kid who can heal or kill with a touch, a soul-sucking succubus, a demon who attacks through sleep paralysis and more. If you have any triggers, there is sure to be at least one of the stories that will confront you with it. There are no holds barred in either horrific torture or graphic sexuality in all its most perverse forms.

The writing itself is good and depicts some of the most disturbing imagery I've ever read far too effectively. Extreme Horror readers will find a real treasure in this one. The book is extremely well presented, with brilliant artwork in full color and a lot of thought put into layout and graphic design.

Though the subject matter may be a little too over the top for my personal taste, I have to appreciate the artistry that has been put into both the visual and verbal presentation of the work. This could well become a collector's item among those who are drawn to the unusual and offbeat in the Horror realm.

It feels weird to give a high star rating to something I actually found difficult to read, but it was only my own squeamishness that caused that difficulty and the quality of the all too effective prose is deserving of the 4.5 stars I've given it.

All the points awarded for being just absolutely crazy.

This is the last of the novels and anthologies Random House published for Mattel. To my knowledge no other full-length chapter book has been produced since. Subsequent books in the '70s, '80s and on have a shorter page count and are geared towards a younger audience. Is it because children cease playing with dolls at a younger age than they used to? It's too bad these stopped, because they were just starting to get REALLY interesting.

Barbie and her family are spending a winter holiday with friends in California. They have plans to fly home to Willows for Christmas eve, but Mr. Roberts had business things to do and nicely invited his family along. The Murchisons have two boys: 18-year-old, beefy, goatee'd Pete who loves science and 14-year-old Larry whose characterization is that he's a boy.

At a backyard barbeque, Skipper and Barbie are challenged by the brothers on their ability to survive in the wilderness and are jokingly invited on a camping trip in the desert. The girls call their bluff and set out to the Mojave desert with them the next morning.

There's car trouble on a back road, but fortunately a town is just in site on the horizon. The four make the journey and discover its a ghost town.

They are then shot at. A prospector out of central casting is mighty suspicious of these suburban kids and their undoubted lust for his gold. They are rescued by a mute Hispanic boy, who leads them to an idyllic pueblo 'castle' built by an older couple.

The older couple, the Bonesteels, welcome the children, but they have no telehone and it seems like their car is out of order, too! Coincidence? Barbie and Skipper are stuck and risk missing their flight home for Christmas, which devastates Skipper.

This book is very hard to find and over 50 years old, but is so bonkers I don't want to spoil it for anyone who might get their hands on it. Things get really weird, but somehow it all works out in the end with a little help from guns, a mule named Mirabel, a cigar store Indian, and dress-up. There's a real mystery here and moments of real danger for Barbie, Skipper and their friends.

Skipper wears 'Day at the Fair' #1911, which included a miniature Barbie doll! Barbie is in the classic early outfit 'Sweater Girl' #976, complete with accessories. The necklace is not Mattel, but was issued by Cleinman and Sons as part of a matching set of jewelry for Barbie and owner and advertised in Christmas catalogs in the early '60s.

Barbie Random House Novels

Previous: 'Barbie's Candy-Striped Summer'

Willows High is abuzz with the news: Juniors and Seniors can take a month of school to get a job! Of course, there are stipulations. One must have at least a B average and agree to write a report about their experience.

Barbie's well-connected parents know a couple in Florida who would only be too happy to host Barbie for the month and can pull strings at a television station down there. Barbie is also excited, because there's an exotic animal preserve where Midge could get work as well!

'Barbie in Television' follows the typical format for these books: Barbie gets spectacular opportunity, travels to an exciting location, crushes the opportunity like a boss and dates cute boy. I was hoping that the tease at the start of the book meant that Midge got to have some fun as well, but no dice. It turns out Midge was so focused on cheer-leading in the fall she let her grades slip and doesn't quite make it to the B+ her parents require, so she is denied permission to go on the trip.

Duest at least has Midge call Barbie out on her privilege: pointing out Barbie's internship in New York and being a cover girl for a teen magazine for God's sakes, but, Midge is forced to grin and bear it and be left behind in Willows with Ken and the rest. She also has to admit that its her own fault for trying to have everything the way Barbie does.

Carefree, Barbie is free to make new friends. Her companions are a Brazilian exchange student, Blanquita, who helps Barbie with her elocution and a hotshot baseball rookie, Danny Folger, who's on the cusp of going pro with the "Green Socks"

Barbie stands up to some serious toxic masculine behavior here, ignoring bad pickup lines and unapologeticly doing her job. She, of course, fixes him later, but we'll take the small victories the writers inserted into these books. Another highlight is working woman Pat Larkin, the station's program director who works full time and counts on her husband to take the roast out of the freezer.

Other than Midge's disappointment, the real reason this book gets a heavy star reduction is a "romantic" legend of a Native American warrior falling so in love with the daughter of a Spanish conquistador that after her death she is taken out into the bay and the warrior, plus 50-100 other braves sink their canoes and kill themselves so they can guard her resting place in the afterlife. This legend is the basis of an exciting festival and parade in the Florida town that Barbie visits and is the focus of her teen journalism. Is this based on reality? Because, wow, that's horrible. It certainly sounds like something midcentury America would celebrate.

Other key plot points involve a haunted ruin of a hotel and a mysterious hobo whose house Barbie and Blanquita break into.

Two versions of 'Casuals' #782 from 1961-1964. The striped shirt is a later version. They're missing small gold car keys and I left off their red hats to show off their glorious, reflocked hair. Jon filled in the bald spots and followed the original pattern so they look mint!

Barbie Random House Novels:

Next: 'Barbie, Midge and Ken'

Previous: 'Barbie's Secret'

"Nancy invited me to a party, what should I wear?"

"What about this? No? Or that?"

"No mother, but, what about this?"

"Not for a party!"

"Hi Barbie, are you going to Nancy's party?"

"Hello, Midge. Yes, are you going to Nancy's party?"

"Yes, Barbie. What are you going to wear?"

"I don't know. What are you wearing to the party?"

"I don't know. Let's call Sue."

"Hi Sue, are you going to Nancy's party?"

"Yes, Barbie. Are you going to Nancy's party?"

"Yes, Sue, what are you going to wear?"

"I don't know. What are you going to wear Barbie?"

So many pages. Soooo many pages.

My brain felt like mush. The book did have fun pictures that detailed many, many, actual Barbie outfits and the backdrops were copied from 'Barbie's Dream House'. Its fun as a collector, but this had no redeeming story value at all. Clothing is rejected with no explanation - I would have killed for a didactic explanation of party etiquette and dress codes.

Skipping product numbers and year.

Seven outfits not worn to the party: 'Orange Blossom', 'Swingin' Easy', 'Theatre Date', ''Fancy Free', 'Fashion Pak Knit Dress', 'Senior Prom', and 'After Five'.