A review by claire60
On Michael Jackson by Margo Jefferson

3.0

I found this book very interesting, it starts with a critique of Barnum, whom Jackson was obsessed with and how Barnum exploited Black and disabled people in order to make money. Looking at Motown and the abusive Joe Jackson with the same intellectual clarity, before turning to Michael himself with thought provoking considerations of his videos. There is a fascinating breakdown of the Jackson's individually and she makes interesting points about MJ's physical changes in relation to what they say about his views on race and gender. Much has been written about his imagined sexuality so it was refreshing to have gender discussions. The last chapter is about the trial that he faced at the end of his life on child molestation charges, her view is nuanced, considered and allows space for you to make up your own mind. Most of all I appreciated the intelligent cultural exploration of the times and live of Michael Jackson, which has been missing in the rabid condemnation or unseeing hero worship that surrounds him and is indeed present in some reviews of this book.