Critic Reviews
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Based on 6 reviews on
From former Talking Heads frontman and multimedia visionary David Byrne and revered bestselling author, illustrator, and artist Maira Kalman--an inspiring celebration in words and art of the connections between us all.
Don't miss the Spike Lee film of the Broadway hit American Utopia--on HBO."Uplifting . . . an argument for the reincarnation of hope in the American project. - NPR.org
"A comforting work of art in troubled times." --Kirkus Reviews "Like the Dadaists, Byrne often uses absurdity and humor to make sense of a chaotic world. With its themes of freedom, uncertainty, and inclusivity, American Utopia speaks to the present moment as Byrne calls for seeking common ground despite the world's miseries." --Booklist "This selection of Byrne's lyrics accompanied by Kalman's illustrations captures the spirit of the show. As readers page through the book and savor the words, the pictures fairly leap off the page. Byrne's afterword sums it up best: "Here is the hope and joy that I believe emanates from the show itself in something you can hold in your hands." VERDICT Whether or not readers are fans of Byrne, they'll enjoy this colorful and playful presentation." --Library Journal "In this frothy amuse-bouche of a book, snippets of Talking Heads frontman Byrne's lyrics jump and skip across pages, illustrated with watercolor sunniness by Kalman." --Publishers Weekly Spare lines from Byrne's lyrics, spare gestural utterances from the body language of the choreography, spare micro-expressions on the faces of the cast come abloom as painted vignettes, tender and expressive, dancing with their own aliveness. What emerges is not a recreation of the musical world in book form but a luminous satellite of that world, intimate yet separate, removed by a degree of artistic abstraction yet reflecting the radiance of the same guiding star. - BrainPickings Paging through this book when your mood falters is sure to help cheer you up and make your day a little brighter. - Bookloons Has there been a more energizing creation in 2020 than David Byrne's American Utopia? Spike Lee's joyous film based on Byrne's Broadway smash is both soothing and appropriately conflicted: an ideal concoction for these troubled times. The same is true of this hardcover collaboration between Byrne and artist Maira Kalman. It features the prolific musician's lyrics alongside her vibrant, life-affirming illustrations. It is no exaggeration to say that each page is a delight. - The Film Stage