|
| Hubert's Freaks: The Rare-Book Dealer, the Times Square Talker, and the Lost Photos of Diane Arbus | 
 enlarge | Author: Gregory Gibson
Publisher: Harcourt
Category: Book
List Price: $24.00
Buy New: $6.75
You Save: $17.25 (72%)
New (38) Used (16) Collectible (3) from $5.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 100802
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 0151012334
Dewey Decimal Number: 779.2
EAN: 9780151012336
ASIN: 0151012334
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: SATISFACTION GUARANTEED! NEW Book! May have remainder mark. Most orders ship within 1 BUSINESS DAY with ORDER CONFIRMATION.
|
| Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 6-10 of 10 | | « PREV | | |
 Hubert's Freaks May 9, 2008
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
This was a sadly disappointing review of an era and avenue that I knew from my youth. By page 65 or so the Hubert story is over and we spend the rest of the book on a dysfunctional book dealer, a photographer and finally just 2 of the Hubert stars that were friends to the dealer and photographer.
Now we need a book on Hubert's Freaks.
 An outstanding novel packed with unusual twists and turns June 6, 2008
An outstanding novel packed with unusual twists and turns, HUBERT'S FREAKS revolves around obsessive antiques dealer and treasure hunter Bob Langmuir, who uncovers unique prints by the legendary Diane Arbus, in the process discovering a new side of not only artist Arbus but the 'weird America' she captured in film. His survey of antiques, freak show exhibits, and more evolves into a catchy road show of discovery in a novel packed with adventure, and highly recommended as a fine leisure read.
Truth is Better than Fiction in this Twisted Story June 27, 2008
"Truth really is stranger than fiction in this book about how an off the wall rare book dealer discovers a fabulous treasure trove of lost Diane Arbus photographs when he buys a trunk from a guy claiming to be a member of the Nigerian Royal family."
Excellent writing and good grasp of cultural environment July 30, 2008
To be honest, I am not a major fan of Arbus. However I have read two other books by Gibson and was taken by the clean writing and the way he ties things together. Well, it turned out to be not about her, but about a book collector who developed a fixation with collecting and with the posthumous papers and photos of the well-regarded photographer of unusual people. It is also about the workings of the art world, high-end auction houses, and the collectors who feed material into art commerce.
There are also some interesting and cogent sections on certain parts of american culture, for example, the dime freak shows that employed Arbus' subjects and the urban folk culture of the 60's.
Hubert's Freaks has a great deal of interesting material. And the pacing makes it easy to take it all in.
I've read it twice.
Frank O'Brien
 premature ending November 1, 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and Mr. Gibson's style of writing. Mr. Langmuir's story, in regards to the Hubert's/Arbus find and the resulting paths he takes to completion are intriguing.
The main problem is that the book comes to a screeching halt of an ending. Shame on Mr. Gibson for allowing it, and for the publishers for calling for it. This story is ongoing- it was abruptly ended by the author at the urging of the publisher, to be in stores and ready for sales that could result from the interest generated by the auction of Mr. Langmuir's collection.
Smart marketing, too bad the auction was called off at the last minute due to lawsuits regarding who deserves to share in the profits of the sale of the Arbus photos. Mr. Gibson, could you send us the end of the book???
So far, an intriguing trip through Bob Langmuir's dysfunctional world filled with admirable persistance mixed with stunning gifts from the universe. I wish him well! Mr. Gibson, the later chapters on meeting with Woogie's present day "family" were senseless and added nothing to the story. It reads as an attempt to insert yourself into this drama somehow.... they were repulsive and added nothing to the story. Those chapters could be totally removed to make way for a real ending.
For anyone searching for a bit more of the story, start with the photos and links from [...]. Be sure to watch Mr. Gibson's reading from the book at [...]! He gets some flak from a few of the players in this story...... priceless!
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
