Rating: 
Summary: Blythe Rocks!
Review: I am the proud owner of an original Blythe doll. So, I was amazed and thrilled to see this book. The photographs are beautifully done, and so creative. I love the passion that Gina has for these dolls. I am also impressed by the hair, makeup and clothing that she did for the photos herself. Someone who I would be friends with, a true genius!
Rating:
Summary: Blythe Rocks!
Review: I am the proud owner of an original Blythe doll. So, I was amazed and thrilled to see this book. The photographs are beautifully done, and so creative. I love the passion that Gina has for these dolls. I am also impressed by the hair, makeup and clothing that she did for the photos herself. Someone who I would be friends with, a true genius!
Rating:
Summary: Blythe as Goddess Pilgrim
Review: I found the stark beauty of the images in Garan's, This is Blythe to be uncannily seductive. No reader will leave this book without the eerie feeling that Blythe is in fact still out there, continuing her worldwide pilgrimage which photographer Garan just happened to momentarily commune. No reader will ever look into those big, multifaceted doll eyes without seeing the somewhat sinister, existential quality that lies just within the plastic iris. We hitch a ride with Blythe on her journey but alas, she is immortal and we are not. Not being a "doll person" I was at first reluctant to admit that such a book would interest me but I have to say that Miss Garan has done an extraordinary job of creating a piece of artwork from an almost forgotten Pop culture artifact. When considering the photography I am immediately aware of an innovative hybrid style. I can only compare it to the appropriation of photojournalism by fashion photographers in the 1970's where the thing of beauty is juxtaposed with the raw and visceral; a beautifully adorned women on a tattered "third world" city street. In this way, and with Blythe as our priestess/guide, we explore the meaning of set and setting. A mundane Puerto Rican front porch is transformed into a resplendent altar to Blythe, a forgotten graveyard becomes a temple of glowing alabaster, and a block of ice, the tomb of some prehistoric goddess. I give, This is Blythe, my top ratings for its visual beauty and it's sociological relevance and eagerly await Miss Garan's next offering from the "world where dolls rule."
Rating:
Summary: What a beautiful book!
Review: If a fun collection of photos featuring one of the most kitschy-cool odd-ball dolls wasn't enough, THIS IS BLYTHE is inspiring. The way Gina Garan shoots photos of her big eyed dolls they definitely seem to have personalities of their own. With more spark than most super-models, and more spunk than a whole aisle of Gen-X Barbie dolls! Photographs of this elusive doll from the 1970's would be interesting enough on their own, but with the unexpected locations (like in the mouth of a tiger at the Siegfried and Roy monument, or posing au naturel in front of Hooters) combined with the quirky subject matter (Blythe's the only doll I've heard of that can change her eye color from pink to orange with the pull of a string). Prude, sassy, sophisticated, glamorous, edgy, shy, apprehensive, innocent- are all conveyed not only by this dolls ability to change eye color and position. It is done with with the fabulous costumes, settings, and Gina's ability to almost animate Blythe with her unique style of photography. The book is interesting and whimsical, colorful and humorous. It has a very arty/innovative feel and a super-slick layout, but doesn't ever lose touch with the sweet and simple feeling that this girl is just playing with her dolls. Anyone who loves books about pop-culture, has an affinity for the unusual, appreciates dolls, or is simply looking for a book that is one-of-a-kind and inscrutably appealing,,, this is it! After flipping through the the book again and again, I kept remembering something from the last line of the introduction, and how it really holds true. It's that,"Blythe reminds you to embrace the rare and unique", qualities of who we are-- and that's exactly why this book is a gem!
Rating:
Summary: Blythe MAGIC
Review: My sister and I were shopping in a trendy clothing store in Berkeley's Telegraph Ave. one sunny, Bay Area, Saturday afternoon when I noticed Garan's "This is Blythe" photographic opus on a table amongst faux fur covered picture frames, book ends, keychains, and other fashion accessories for the hip, young, urban chick and those of us who are uniquely attuned to and nurturing of our Inner Sassy Girl Teen. I picked up the book, thinking "Whose the cutie in the fur jacket?" Gazing at Garan's illustrious photos of this mystifying girl-doll, I was instantly enchanted by Blythe, bought the book, and while in a sustained euphoria immediately spent $400.00 to have an original, mint-condition, long flowing-haired, brunette Blythe muse of my own. She is worth much more than every penny I spent. As for the book, I have it placed on a stand, and display a different photo on a regular basis. I've had the book for several months now, and I'm still coming across photos that I had never noticed before. Like a book that is bewitched and as bewitching as its star, it gives me some new beauty and enlightenment to look at and reflect upon on an almost daily basis. Thanks to Garan for introducing me to the wonderful world of Blythe. I look forward in hopeful anticipation to the sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous
Review: the journey that gina goes through with blythe is amazing and you wish that you were along for the ride. garan's sense of style is focused and brilliant, as blythe represents in outfits such as "mod blythe," "heroin-chic bylthe," "blythe the nun," and so on. it is a book everyone needs for so many reasons.
Rating: 
Summary: Want to Buy a Blythe Doll?
Review: The thing that's really a shame is that there is a blythe doll for sale at $75 here at Amazon. In case you want an authentic Japanese blythe doll: J-List, a high quality site that sells products straight from Japan, has a selection of them at about 20 dollars each. jbox.com/search/blythe. Happy hunting, and I hope I don't get in trouble for this...
Rating:
Summary: Blythe is awsome!
Review: This lil photography book is beautiful and haunting. The colors are wonderful (and reminicent of David LaChapelle or John Waters), and little Blythe's beautifully color-changing eyes set the mood of each photo.Now i just wish i had a Blythe doll myself...
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully haunting...
Review: This lil photography book is beautiful and haunting. The colors are wonderful (and reminicent of David LaChapelle or John Waters), and little Blythe's beautifully color-changing eyes set the mood of each photo. Now i just wish i had a Blythe doll myself...
Rating:
Summary: this is blythe the book
Review: what a great fascinating book. i love blythe
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