For a woman in the Western world; there is no escaping beauty. Either she possesses it; or she lacks it. If she lacks it; she may hope to gain it. If she already has it; she will certainly lose it. But what is it? Not an objective thing; Francette Pacteau tells us; but a generic term for an unspecifiable number of psychological experiences in the mind of the observer. What these experiences are; what causes them; and how they manifest themselves as a notion of beauty is the subject of this book.Less interested in the contingent object of desire than the fantasy that frames it; Pacteau considers the staging of the aesthetic emotion. Her analysis extends from the Classical ideals of beauty; through Renaissance poetry to the recent formulations of Hollywood. Her book is an ambitious attempt to describe the mise-en-scegrave;ne of beauty within a particular field of representations ndash; that of the beauty of a woman.
#2016349 in eBooks 2013-02-07 2013-02-07File Name: B00BCJTYZU
Review
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An Incredible Book Worth Twice the PriceBy Doug BrunellIgnore the price you see for this book. It is worth it at twice that amount. And how does a book about films in the "torture porn" subgenre become so important? Well; author Steve Jones not only understands his subject; he dissects like Noam Chomsky dissects "The New York Times."Jones has taken a subject that is as misunderstood as it is loathed and puts it under a microscope. He looks at the films; the history of horror film criticism; and the critics themselves; and comes out with one of the most thorough examinations of film Ive read in quite some time. Again; the book is worth twice its price.If you hate "torture porn;" you may find your opinion changing if you go into this book with an open mind. If; like me; you hate the term "torture porn;" you will find yourself vindicated by Jones. Believe it or not; there is worth to films like "Hostel;" and Jones proves it. Think you know everything there is to know about that films and its meaning? Think again. In fact; rethink everything you "know" about "torture porn" films because Jones is going to prove where you went wrong.Ive had the pleasure of interviewing Jones in regards to this book. Besides being a nice guy; I think hell find my enthusiasm a bit flattering and unwarranted. I will not apologize for it. When I finished this book my only thought was; "I want 300 more pages of this." This has; more than any book since "Nightmare USA;" restored my faith in film journalism. Some people really get it; and Jones is one of them.Buy this now.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. The book is very useful if all you need is a movie list and ...By CustomerThe book is very useful if all you need is a movie list and a review on publications (which is still helpful). The author does very little studying the genre itself; while focusing mainly on the press outburst on it. James Aston To See the Saw Movies is much better; although does not speak of the genre in general.2 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Price?By AndreWanderCome on; however intriguing and exciting the subject of this book may or may not be; whos gonna pay such price for a barely 250-page book? Be realistic!