Dolly on Dolly

April 15, 2017

This collection of interviews charts Dolly Parton's 40-year career as a pop culture icon, gathering articles from Playboy, Interview, and Out magazines. Divided into six winsomely titled parts (e.g., "Blonde Ambition"; "CEO of Her Dreams"), it outlines the musician's journey from Sevierville, TN, to Nashville, then Hollywood. Parton's skillful control of her image means the content can be repetitive, with some truisms of her persona, like her relationship with reclusive husband Carl Dean, being honed over countless retellings. Other revelations are portioned out more carefully, such as the details of her rocky business partnership with country singer Porter Wagoner. Some of the most appealing interviews are from the last five years, and show Parton embracing her status as a gay icon. Minimal and succinct editorial notes keep things moving along, while candid moments are affecting and appear just frequently enough to keep the reader interested in the woman behind the savvy persona. VERDICT This polished tribute will be candy for Parton fans, while readers with a casual interest in pop culture will find it highly browsable and full of good humor.--Abigail Garnett, Brooklyn P.L.

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