Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Barbie: The World Tour' by Margot Robbie, Andrew Mukamal, Craig McDean (Photographer), Margaret Zhang (Introduction), Edward Enninful (Foreword), Greta Gerwig (Afterword)

Yeah. Suffice it to say that this is a must for any fan of the Greta Gerwig 'Barbie' movie, which proved to be a worldwide (pop) cultural landmark and success. With a world tour this big, detailed and extravagant, it was indeed not just a movie, it was an event. A powerful, continuous premiere.

'Barbie: The World Tour' is great. All its photos, sketches and artwork are great. And it's so pink! So girly! Embrace femininity! It goes to show how important fashion and image is when promoting a film; it's how you get an immediate idea of what it's all about. It's a statement; to form a community and a sense of belonging to something special.

To think of how long it must have taken, putting this world tour together, and how exhausted yet exhilarated Margot Robbie must have been by the end of it! Look at all those outfits she wore!

'Barbie: The World Tour' is like a worldwide wardrobe in book form, going into the many fashionable eras of Barbie, dating back to the fifties, and recreating them.

The tour and book are very positive girl power, like the 'Barbie' film itself - a film that is a feminist satire mistresspiece.

Unlike the film, though, 'Barbie: The World Tour' doesn't really get into the history of Barbie as a doll or a pop culture icon (except in her different eras of fashion). Ruth Handler and Mattel are barely mentioned. It's mostly about the looks and aesthetic, and who Barbie is or could be to people, who is "given" to the people, with only bits in interviews where movie Barbie's character development is talked about, which is a shame. But I guess it is like a proper tour photo guide and fashion promo collection, so I can't really complain. It isn't a behind-the-scenes biography or an all-encompassing documentation.

'Barbie: The World Tour' - what a fun 'Barbie' extra! And mega movie tie-in book.

I still can't believe that neither the movie nor this book mention Barbie's four or more sisters, nor her animated movies, some of which are actually pretty good.



'Moviegoers in their Barbie Best were just as much of a spectacle as the film itself--with fashion as a catalyst for their self-actualization. Just as Barbie intended.' - from the interview's introduction.



Final Score: 4/5

P.S. Margot Robbie has embraced, encapsulated and embodied both Barbie and Harley Quinn. She is an amazing actress and person.