'Discover the stories that inspired the music' - from the blurb
'My name is Dolly Parton, and I am a songwriter. [...] That is how I express myself. In a song, I can go anywhere and do anything.'
This giant book about Dolly Parton's life and the songs she wrote and sung is very personal, and indeed not always happy and positive. She is primarily a country singer and songwriter, after all. But 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics' is clearly a labour of love, of passion and effort.
Covering 175 songs (out of over 3000) and spanning sixty years, 'Songteller' (aka 'Storyteller', at least according to me) is a deeply raw, vivid and vulnerable journey for Dolly, oftentimes bumpy and rough, and unflinchingly honest, heartfelt and true.
'Songteller' shows an imperfect, messy side to the revered Queen of Country Music. It contains her famous song lyrics, and she writes about the moments in her life that inspired them. Each song is personal, and she puts an emotional piece of herself - and of the people she's known - in them.
They are truly great songs.
Lovely, diverse, varied bunch of photos, as well.
Above all, 'Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics' is a celebration of her creativity and genius. When it comes to Dolly, it's about feelings, the heart, and the truth.
It's about compassion, goodness, and love.
Hers is a life lived to the fullest and biggest, through all the ups and downs - all for love. If you want a rainbow, you must also take the rain.
Cheers to the rags-to-rhinestones global star.
My review of the other giant, themed Dolly book of a trilogy, 'Dolly Parton, Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones', can be found in the link here.
Final Score: 4/5
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