<i>Baby's in Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe, and The Beatles</i> (review)
2012; Johns Hopkins University Press; Volume: 65; Issue: 10 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1353/bcc.2012.0464
ISSN1558-6766
Autores Tópico(s)Music History and Culture
ResumoReviewed by: Baby's in Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe, and The Beatles Elizabeth Bush Bellstorf, Arne . Baby's in Black: Astrid Kirchherr, Stuart Sutcliffe, and The Beatles; tr. from the German by Michael Waaler; written and illus. by Arne Bellstorf. First Second/Roaring Brook, 2012. 198p. ISBN 978-1-59643-771-5 $24.99 R Gr. 8-12. Rock 'n' roll retrophiles are aware, of course, that Beatles lore traces back to performances in scuzzy, smoke-filled Hamburg clubs, with a pre-Ringo configuration of members that included a recruited bassist, Stuart Sutcliffe. In this imported German graphic novel, Bellstorf focuses on the romance between Sutcliffe and rising star photographer Astrid Kirchherr, who would form an enduring friendship with the band and act as its early stylist and documentarian. Astrid is introduced to the band by ex-boyfriend Klaus and is immediately smitten with Sutcliffe. Stu, whose passion is painting rather than guitar, enjoys the gigs and the camaraderie, but as his relationship with Astrid deepens, he owns up to his musical limitations and lands a coveted scholarship to study with artist Eduardo Paolozzi in Hamburg. Stu and Astrid become engaged, the Beatles reshuffle personnel and land respectable contracts, Astrid plants ideas for a new "look" with signature suits, hairstyle, and dramatic black and white photographs, and everything looks rosy. The single dark cloud is Stu's persistent headaches and weakness, and within a year he's dead from a probable aneurysm. The Beatles' story forms a backdrop to the compelling tale of Astrid and Stu, and although readers will doubtless enjoy glimpses of "the lads" (distinguishable mainly by noses, eyebrows, and John's snarky attitude), it's doomed young love that carries the day. The march of tidily boxed black ink and pencil pictures, most of which feature characters in conversation, is relieved by unframed reveries of the lovers wandering in the woods to a soundtrack of Beatles lyrics, foreshadowing their coming loss. Bellstorf will connect with a wide readership, from photography buffs to romance readers to classic rockers. Copyright © 2012 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
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