A well-researched biography on a fascinating woman. Could have used more editing though. There were repetitive sections and some typos and grammar issues.

Happy to include this title in my recent round-up “Behind the Seams,” highlighting Hollywood and celebrity style-themed reads for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

This is coming from someone who loves film, but has never seen a single one featuring Garbo.

Bringing context and insight to the history of what clearly amounts to a lady who was a titan of the industry, Banner makes it clear not only how Garbo helped to pave the way for women both in front of and behind the camera, but how certain qualities made her one of a kind.

Through modern lens, Banner allows us to see Garbo in a way we might not have been able to not too long ago, which adds layer after layer to what we might've thought as the final appraisal of her life and career--everything from intrigue to tragedy gets ratcheted up. I mean, what kind of success would she have had if someone like her had come to prominence in say, the '70s or '80s?

Garbo's gender fluidity is thoroughly explored which, for me, was the most fascinating aspect.

Not only do I feel especially prepared for a walkthrough of Garbo's filmography, but Banner has prepared me to see her in a much different way than I would've otherwise. I'm appreciative of that, and give it my highest recommendation. Although I had the thirst to learn of Garbo and her history, I had some trepidation going into a book about the life of a Silent Era star; turns out, I had nothing to fear.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rutgers University Press for the advance read.

An interesting look at the life of Greta Garbo through the lens of how she was perceived from the perspective of beauty. I was struck by how much gender bending was going on even 100 years ago, something we often think of as a recent social movement, but has really been going on for much longer.

I always enjoy reading about the stars of the silver screen . The actresses and actors only portrayed an elegance and aura of mystery ,unlike the stars of today . Little is known about Greta Garbo , she was an extremely private person .

The author does an excellent job of giving us a look into her childhood and life .

A must read for Garbo fans and fans of the cinema


I just reviewed Ideal Beauty by Lois W. Banner. #IdealBeauty #NetGalley

Too much emphasis on sexuality and gender identity for my taste. I didn't feel pertinent or necessary to dig into Garbo's inner most workings in this much detail, trying to put her in some wort of box. It took up too much space and too much focus away from this really fascinating woman, whom I had looked forward to getting to know better.

> Ideal Beauty: The Life and Times of Greta Garbo
Ideal Beauty by Dr. Lois W. Banner
Ideal Beauty: The Life and Times of Greta Garbo
by Dr. Lois W. Banner

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Carolyn's review
Sep 10, 2023 · edit

Thanks to NetGalley I got to preview this book. I have read about 2/3 of it and really enjoyed it. The book follows the Swedish actress Garbo's life (a stage name) and career. It documents her struggles and her successes, the challenge of her chronic ailments and attempts by other people to define who she was. She was a super celebrity of her time (her followers were called 'Garbo maniacs) and continues to fascinate people to this day. Garbo was an actress who managed to survive the transition from silent movies to the 'talkies' and continue to be successful. The author's research peppers the book with lots of interesting gems such as there's 'a line in a Cole Porter song re Garbo's salary'.

I liked the writing style and the fascinating research about Garbo and the times in which she lived . She was an unconventional woman with an unusual beauty and was badly treated when she arrived in Hollywood. The book is packed with detail about contemporary fashions and ideas of beauty as well as explorations of image-making and censorship.
Some biographies, despite their interesting subjects can be a tad boring but Dr Banner has written an accessible, informative, philosophical but also entertaining book. Unlike some biographers she doesn't insert herself into the narrative much, hooray. A good read if you are interested in creative individuals and the reality behind the glamour (but also the glamour) of Hollywood in the 1920s, 1930s.

While many questions pertaining to Garbo's identity seem to be missing any deep exploration here, I truly enjoyed this otherwise deep dive into one of Hollywood's greatest stars.

A fresh look at the style, image and persona that was Garbo.
Lois Banner reveals the layers of this multifaceted beauty. Gender bending in style, romantically involved with men and women, elusive, troubled, desirable and retired from her career at the age of thirty six, this is a book that longed to be written.
An interesting combination of fashion, film, feminism and fight this is a must read.
My thanks to NetGalley, the author and Rutgers University Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very interesting biography of one of the greatest stars of all time, Greta Garbo. Even if you've read all the Garbo biographies, you will likely find new information here as the book concentrates on Garbo's gender-bending styles, image, and lifestyle. At a time when breathless kewpie doll types were considered the feminine ideal, Garbo, with her tall build, slouched walk, and masculine dress, was still considered a sex symbol and idol. Occasionally, the author seems to contradict herself, especially when it comes to Garbo's sexual orientation—she had relationships with both men and women. The most famous of which was John Gilbert. I'm not sure why the author just doesn't come out and say that Garbo was bisexual? Maybe I'm missing something.

As someone who didn't know much, if anything, about Garbo, other than her most famous movies, this was an interesting primer. Recommended for Garbo and Old Hollywood fans. I just reviewed Ideal Beauty by Lois W. Banner. #IdealBeauty #NetGalley

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. Ms. Garbo was a deep, complicated, troubled woman. The layers of isolation from the celebrity life, show the roots of the obsession with celebrity that we now have.

Dr. Banner researched so deeply and fully that I can’t imagine reading a better book on Garbo. This is something I’m not sure she would have wanted written about her, but I’m so glad it was!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, but the opinions are all my own.