Rating: 
Summary: Great book by a misunderstood artist
Review: Since 1968, Yokophobia has prevented people from perceiving reality correctly. Yokophobia was brought on largely because John Lennon was "supposed" to marry a white woman, oh, and, another thing, because the Beatles broke up. Since she has been blamed for this, shattering the delusion that a rock band should last forever (look at the Rolling Stones now for goodness sake!), people have been unusually mean-spirited in their assessment of her work. I can understand why people shy away from her more avant-garde musical output, often consisting of ear-shattering screams (I am one of those sickos that just happens to love it!). But "Grapefruit," one of the most widely distributed pieces of Fluxus-connected/inspired "performance art," is simply irresistible. (Remember, Yoko had a career as an avant-garde artist before she met John Lennon--they met at one of her art exhibits in 1967.) It is serious, excruciatingly humorous and regularly induces smiles--all while simultaneously encouraging its readers to think abstractly, artistically, creatively and irreverently. "Grapefruit" is a breath of fresh sky-blue air from the woman who once asked (on the b-side of John Lennon's "Instant Karma") "Who Has Seen the Wind?""Grapefruit" is filled, for the most part, with short, koan-like "pieces" such as "Wall Piece for Orchestra." Yoko directs the piece as follows: "Hit a wall with your head." In "Overtone Piece," Yoko writes, "Make music only with overtones." In the painting pieces section, she instructs her reader, in "Painting for the Wind," to "Make a hole. / Leave it in the wind." In the "events" section, probably the closest here to her performance art, she evokes a giggly pun on "peace" (or maybe "pee") in "Pea Piece," writing, "Carry a bag of peas. / Leave a pea wherever you go." If you find this type of humor and "artistic direction" a waste of time, which many undoubtedly will, then avoid this like the plague. But if you, like me, find this darkly humorous, refreshingly perverse and instructive as to how to live life seriously without taking it too seriously, then "Grapefruit" should find a place on your bookshelf, or, better yet, on your nightstand.
Rating: 
Summary: Too Bad She Married John Lennon
Review: This book is very interesting, Freud would have a field day. This book of artistic instructions with metaphorical meanings are at times beautifully poetic. If Yoko Ono hadn't married that loathsome self-pitying twit John Lennon she might have established some kind of name for herself in the conceptual arts and media other than a rock super-star's wife. Anyway, if you're one of those collectors who is getting the book because Lennon's name is on it, you should read it too. Highly recomended!
Rating:
Summary: Viva Yoko!
Review: We are lucky indeed that this book is back in print. I chanced upon an early printing at a used book store years back, and have enjoyed it ever since. Grapefruit is full of Ono's conceptual "paintings", which take the form of instructional poems...they are sometimes insightful, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes wickedly funny and poignant at the same time ("Hide and Go Seek Piece: Hide until everyone forgets about you. Hide until everyone dies.") Throughout the poems she displays brilliant imagination and a unique appreciation of life. This book is truly original...as you can see from the reviews below, it's not for everybody...but I think anyone with an open mind and a passion for creativity will love it.
Rating:
Summary: Lighthearted, clever and, most of all, funny
Review: Yoko Ono did not break up The Beatles. And even if she had anything to do with the band's inevitable divorce, The Beatles broke up in their prime, which is what we love so much about them (And if you don't believe me, think about how much you wish the Rolling Stones packed things up twenty-some years ago). So kudos to Yoko either way. Sorry, just had to make that public service announcement before continuing. This is some of the most charming, thought-provoking and downright funny writing that the 20th century produced. Lighthearted and friendly at times, creepy and unsettling at other times (see "Back Piece I"), "Grapefruit" stands as proof of Yoko's status as one of the great "conceptual" artists of her age. Don't take this book too seriously. Sit down with it, and don't be afraid to laugh--or shiver. Move over Samuel Beckett, "Grapefruit" is absurdist humor at its best.
Rating:
Summary: Lighthearted, clever and, most of all, funny
Review: Yoko Ono did not break up The Beatles. And even if she had anything to do with the band's inevitable divorce, The Beatles broke up in their prime, which is what we love so much about them (And if you don't believe me, think about how much you wish the Rolling Stones packed things up twenty-some years ago). So kudos to Yoko either way. Sorry, just had to make that public service announcement before continuing. This is some of the most charming, thought-provoking and downright funny writing that the 20th century produced. Lighthearted and friendly at times, creepy and unsettling at other times (see "Back Piece I"), "Grapefruit" stands as proof of Yoko's status as one of the great "conceptual" artists of her age. Don't take this book too seriously. Sit down with it, and don't be afraid to laugh--or shiver. Move over Samuel Beckett, "Grapefruit" is absurdist humor at its best.
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