Rating: 
Summary: recovering stripper death therapy!
Review: Strip City is a highly recommended book for anyone whose been on the analytical side of strip club stripping or would like to be. It's great for those of us who have danced around wearing a slingshot and even for those who haven't. I commend her on making such a comprehensive presentation on a complex issue, she covers everything from feminism to illegal stage fees to the history of burlesque! I have been everywhere Lily has been and it was great to read about it! I was reading it on the plane coming home from Miami where I had an "unsuccessful" attempt to take up this romantic notion of farewell stripclub touring. It was great therapy for me. Words to let me know that you are not alone, and that this job is anything but easy. This book is clearly written from a heterosexual white woman's perspective but it is broad based enough so everyone who has stripped reads it and laughs and cries. The first scene begins in a tanning booth and I almost threw it in the garbage at that point, but gave it a benefit of the doubt and was grateful that I did!
Rating: 
Summary: A Fascinating Peep Show into the Life of a Former Stripper
Review: When I ordered this book, I wasn't sure what to expect, or if it would even be worth my time. But, it became instantly apparent from the first few pages, that the author is both an incredibly intelligent and gifted writer. I am not a dancer, but my curiosity has led me to occasionally wander into a local strip club with a few of my more open-minded friends. (Yes, even Salt Lake City has strip clubs, although with a few more regulations!)I respect and appreciate Lily's candor and humor, as well as her non-judgmental and humane exploration of various strip clubs throughout the U.S. While it may be easy for some to make harshly critical judgements based on hearsay or personal opinion of the strip scene, Lily presents her story in a way that is non-offensive, creating an atmosphere of comraderie with her readers. I recommend this hard-to-put-down book to anyone, regardless of their personal opinions (positive or negative) of the sex industry. It gives a truly illuminating glimpse into this age-old, lucrative business.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Deal
Review: Wow--this is a truly intelligent page-turner! Burana gives a hell of a "show", merging dramatic content with great style. So many illusions about stripping exist: it's super-glamorous; it's totally degrading; it's a path to enlightenment for women; it's a harmless fantasyland for men. Apparently, it's way more complicated that than, as this book aims to show. STRIP CITY lets you in behind the illusions, combining smart analysis, personal revelation, history, girlie stuff, and respect for good "show-womanship" with a complex, yet accessible narrator's voice. I may not know this world, but I trust the author's voice. I'm not being sold any particular point of view. She just tells it like it is. STRIP CITY is written with real maturity. No snotty "I'm not a victim!" defensiveness or political sniveling or ditzy exhibitionism. There's no hard-and-fast answers here, and ya know what? That's honest. I've been given a lot to think about, and been told a lot of great stories (see the bit about Montana! Whoa). Check it out.
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