Noble Dreams Wicked Pleasures: Orientalism in America, 1870-1930
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute collection of Orientalist art, assembled by Holly Edwards, with four essays on aspects of Orientalism in the US and annotated pictures of the catalog of the exhibition. Made me squirm. After reading this book, ATS is so obviously in the direct line of descent from Orientalism it embarrasses me. On the other hand, the book is a treasure-house of information about the St. Louis Exhibition of 1893, where the first belly dancers to appear on this continent performed. The exhibit must have been worth seeing, and the book is an education. Bravo to Ms. Edwards.
Arabia Felix by Pascal Marechaux
Another picture book. Haunting text and stunning photos made me fall in love with Yemen.
Ethnic Dress by Frances Kennett
Not the best picture book I've ever seen, but some photos are worthwhile for belly dancers, especially the gallery of styles of veiling.
Grandmother's Secrets by Rosina Fawzia Al Rawi
Perhaps because I waited so long to get hold of this book, I created an unrealistic expectation for myself of what it would be like. However, it was interesting to me in several ways. The author seems to know exactly what she is saying, particularly since she is (curiously) careful to perpetuate several Western misconceptions of the belly dance without quoting sources for these mistakes, even though footnotes are carefully given on other topics in the book. Criticisms aside, if one reads the book as poetry rather than prose and as inspiration rather than reference material, it's worth the price. The actual descriptions given of dance movements are hard to follow, but the names the author gives them are evocative. The short sections on Arabic music, and on incense are particularly useful.
Snake Hips by Anne Thomas Soffee
The hilarious adventures of a Lebanese-American woman who decides to learn belly dance and becomes hooked. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll turn the page. If you don't see yourself somewhere in these pages, you haven't been belly dancing long enough. I'm waiting for the book to fade from my memory so I can read it again, afresh, but I'm afraid it'll be awhile. Meantime, watch out for the weird sex midget!
Nine Parts of Desire by Geraldine Brooks
Very well written by a journalist who details her years of work in the Middle East. The author drew me in and engaged my attention even on topics which I usually find dull or difficult, like politics. The book deepened my awareness and understanding of Islamic culture. I especially liked the chapter on Queen Noor. A Cinderella story if there ever was one! There was just one paragraph that really annoyed me, though, in which Ms. Brooks makes the usual comparison of ballet to belly dance by describing ballet as "unnatural". This always gets my goat. Most human endeavors are "unnatural" and I've never understood why ballet gets picked on so much. And anyway, if belly dance is as natural as all that, how come we have to practice it so much to be good at it? 'Nuff said.
Ethnic Style: History and Fashion by Berenice Geoffroy-Schneiter
Fabulous photos from all countries and decades, especially ones of brides from Morocco and India, and amazing portraits of women. I can pore over this one for hours. The breathtaking photo of a young bride from India inspired me to copy her makeup for one of my performances. You won't tire of this book in any hurry.
African Ceremonies by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher
The original two volume series is to die for. The photographers capture the humanness of their subjects with unerring skill. The format of the volumes, featuring full-sized photos on almost every page, makes them a feast for the eyes. The layout of each photo essay is so comprehensive that you'll feel as if you'd been there. The text is unobtrusive, but it's there if you want it, and you will. The two photo essays of particular interest to belly dancers feature North African ceremonies: weddings in Morocco and the Ghedra. These books are chock full of tribal art, jewelry, textiles and body decoration. Although most of the essays concern Sub-Saharan cultures, the books are still worth the price, in my opinion. WARNING: A new "concise" edition of African Ceremonies, combining both volumes is also now available, but many photos from the original edition have been left out. If I had my druthers, I'd prefer the full two-volume set any day.
Body Decoration by Karl Groning
Not for the squeamish, this picture book focuses on body piercing and scarification among other forms of decoration. Some really good henna pictures.
Sisters of Salome by Toni Bentley
Written by a former New York City Ballet dancer, this is one of the few treatments of the Salome legend you'll find anywhere, indeed, perhaps the only lengthy one. The author focuses on four women who followed in the footsteps of the famous character created by Oscar Wilde, which he based on the Biblical character of Herodias' daughter. Each of these women embodies, for Bentley, an aspect of the Salome legend, and each one has a fascinating story of her own. Coming from a ballet background myself, I grew up reading about Ida Rubenstein and had heard of Maud Allen, but never could find out what exactly she was famous for. Toni Bentley told me.
While this book may not interest the hard-core belly dance enthusiast (it really has little to do with belly dancing at all), the women in it have all had their influence on the theatre in general, and in dancing in specific. Besides Allen and Rubenstein, Collette, Mata Hari, and of course Salome herself, the fictional character, are discussed. My only complaint is that there should have been a chapter on Loie Fuller to make the book complete.
