Non-Fiction Book Review - 'Madonna' by Michelle Morgan

On my newly, sudden quest to devour any book by or about world famous, aspirational female stars, who have made their own success, business, uniqueness and independence, and have stood the test of time and are admired for their work and talents more than anything else, I decided to check out 'Madonna' by Michelle Morgan. Morgan is also a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe, and wrote a lot of books about her.

Speaking of fandom, I consider myself to be a fan of the Queen of Pop. My mother was a huge fan (in a way, she still is), and owned Madonna's albums and CDs, before I bought my own copies. I grew up listening to Madge's music, and that admiration isn't so much rekindled as it has just remained kindled.

I love Madonna's songs, and her voice, her dances and moves, her versatile images and styles, her fearlessness, her daring, her drive, her perseverance, and how she's never been afraid to be controversial. There isn't a single look and outfit she hasn't tried at least once. She's a chameleon.

I even like some of her films ('Evita' and 'A League of Their Own' are my favourites).

She always did what she felt like, not caring what anyone thought, and that is a true and powerful "be yourself" message to send to girls and women, especially in the 70s-90s. This can and did lead to thoughtlessness, recklessness, and genuine overambitiousness and inappropriateness, but her offenses were typically overblown, because she was a woman who dared to be different; to do anything, really.

BTW, anything to do with her sexuality and how she expressed it is not one of her offenses. Don't be a sexist and/or misogynistic, puritanical hypocrite.

Madonna is a sex positive icon, and charity worker. Never perfect, but no one can be. Never pleasing everyone, but who realistically can?

She is one of the most famous women on the planet, and one of the most influential female artists of all time. She is a powerful female pop star, who is both the victim of fame and fortune, and the instigator of the various ups and downs of her career and life. She is a woman in the spotlight, and frequently the subject/target of scandal, and is scrutinised and judged by everybody, mostly by people who think they are any better than she is.

Madonna is both inspirational and a manifestation of what fame and fortune can do to a person. She's messy, and that's fine for a woman, you know, and her flaws and mistakes are not enough for me to dismiss her talents on the stage.

So, what about the book that this review is supposed to be about?

'Madonna' is a detailing of the life of Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, accompanied by photos - lots and lots of photos. It can be devoured in a day. It is dated now, from when it was published in 2015, but it is an interesting, quick and colourful item for any Madonna fan to own.

A fresh, informative, unbiased (mostly), and funny treat (and photo album).

That's all, folks!

Final Score: 3.5/5