Has anyone read this book?

[Midnight Palace]

Staying Up Much Too Late: Edward Hopper's Nighthawks and the Dark Side of the American Psyche

Anyone read this? I saw it in the bookstore yesterday and didn't buy it but I'm thinking I may go back for it. From what I could gather just from flipping through, the author uses Nighthawks symbolically to comment on the harsh realities of life. He views the painting as a commentary on the under-reality of American pop culture, the real existence going on, especially in the era(s) we love.

I personally like Edward Hopper's artwork very much. He tends to paint in desolation almost. Many of his pieces appeal to my love for Noir. So, for Nighthawks to be used as the basis for a book, I think I'd really like it and was just wondering what everyone else thought.

 

[Harp]

Not yet. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Midnight Palace]

You're welcome

Book Description:
A fasinating study of Edward Hopper's iconic "Nighthawks "painting and its deep significance for understanding American culture. "Staying up Much Too Late "discusses the painting "Nighthawks "and the painter Edward Hopper and their central importance to twentieth-century American culture. Topics include individualism, New York City, Arthur "Weegee" Fellig, diners, pornography, capitalism, advertising, cigarettes, American philosophy, World War II, "Gravity's Rainbow," "Blade Runner," "Pulp Fiction," Russ Meyer, R. Crumb, David Lynch, and film noir What links these together is the painting's pessimistic take on American culture, which it also seems to epitomize. Despite its desolate feel, "Nighthawks "has become a familiar icon, reproduced on posters and postcards, in movies and on television shows. But "Nighthawks "is more than just a masterful painting. It is a portal into that rarely acknowledged but pervasive dark side of the American psyche.

 

[carter]

Looks like I'll be going to a bookstore in the morning. Thanks.

 

[Leading Edge]

Me too.
Thanks MP!

 

[Midnight Palace]

Hey Leading Edge! Philly, huh? What bookstore do you frequent? Borders at Broad and Chestnut always has some good stuff but the parking is atrocious.

 

[Leading Edge]

I used to spend all my time at the Borders that was on Walnut near 18th. Actually, it was more like I lived there.
When that location closed, I tried to transfer over to the one at Broad & Chestnut, but my experiences with assistance from the sales people were negative and the background music was distracting to the point of being annoying.
Now I go to the Barnes & Noble across from Rittenhouse Square. The music is much more conducive to browsing, the sales associates are very cooperative (many times going above & beyond in locating and obtaining books), a pretty good selection of SF&F (more fantasy than SF) by women writers (my pulp fiction of choice). Recently, I've been settling in to one of tables by the window in their cafe to nurse a mug of coffee while I choose and peruse.

 

[Midnight Palace]

Actually I never had a problem with the Borders associates at Broad & Chestnut. But then again, I usually just stop in for something specific, get it and go lol It's closer to my job so if I do go, it's on my lunch hour and I don't really have the time to browse casually. There's a Borders about 10 minutes from where I live and I've been known to spend a couple of hours in there. I tend to prefer Borders over B&N, but I guess it depends on the individual locations.