Attic Thoughts v. 8

Liz Taylor, Real Showgirls (a review), Prince William on A Scooter, and more

Welcome to this nearly-every-Friday newsletter: “Attic Thoughts” - a chatty check in inspired by some lines from Antonia Fraser’s memoir, “I would define happiness as being alone in a room in a house full of people.” So, less Woolf’s ‘Room of One’s Own’, more ‘Jo March’s attic.’

Please feel free to say hi in the comments - I love book/movie recs, general updates, hearing anything on your mind! Thanks for being here x

“I would ride every morning before I went to the studio. I learned to jump before ‘National Velvet’ because I just loved the feeling of flying. I could jump six feet bareback and it was the closest thing to being Pegasus and flying next to God. It’s the most liberating freedom-making feeling in the world.” —Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor was a horse-girl so I obviously just get her. Really, my love for Elizabeth Taylor was cemented early on as an absolutely obsessive viewer of National Velvet as a young girl. So in any case I obviously had to free-trial the heck out of the new docu-series, Elizabeth Taylor: Rebel Superstar, available for streaming solely on Fox.

Produced by Kim Kardashian, who says very irritating things like “she was the blueprint” (presumably for celebrity), the documentary is very glitzy and doesn’t deliver too much in the realm of facts other than the broad strokes. You could be forgiven for not understanding which marriage Liz was on or if one had just ended (there were 8 after all), and the near-constant pulsating music on a loop can give you a headache.

Nevertheless, I was wildly entertained and it made for very good viewing, especially if you already know a bit about Taylor and can fill in the gaps. I especially loved hearing from her granddaughter and her son, who help us get past the va-va-vroom to who I perceived to be a very loving, but very lonely person. Elizabeth Taylor was also absolutely strikingly beautiful and (perhaps not emphasized enough) a really good actress, so the sheer amount of film footage was a delight. You also can’t help but deeply admire Taylor for her work during the AIDS crisis when many people were well and truly treated like lepers. It’s probably not acknowledged enough that she acted in a truly heroic way during that time (and directly influenced the President into finally investing in some healthcare funding for AIDS research).

On a side note, I would say if you have an interest in Taylor, check out Turner Classic Movies’ podcast - the most recent series is a deep dive into the making of Cleopatra.

So I guess Liz Taylor was just in the air this year. Even Taylor Swift is singing about her (more on that later).

So as far as updates - frankly I’ve been watching a lot of TV. I also free-trialed my way into watching Prince William scooter around Windsor Castle and have no regrets. It was a charming interview and what can I say, I’m a fan and will probably have some real American angst when I obviously have to devote myself wholeheartedly to the monarchy once Queen Cate and King Will are in charge.

what a delightful mode of travel

I also watched a movie in the middle of the afternoon with pizza which seemed like the most rebellious thing ever. In an extremely rare turn of events, I had the house to myself and was almost paralyzed by the amount of things I could get done - I could clean out all the closets! I could deep clean the bathrooms! I could organize all the kids’ clothes! These are all things that I desperately want to do but instead I sat on the couch, ordered a pizza, and watched The Family Man. (

Emily Stimpson Chapman

and her husband had mentioned it on a podcast episode and I’m always here for a good Nick Cage movie - is he terrible? yes, kind of, but in this movie he has to play perpetually confused and he does that brilliantly. Anyway, I actually cried and I really miss the earnestness of early oughts films).

That night I went out for a late night glass of wine with a friend and watched another movie and then slept in (sort of - horses/chickens/dogs meant 7:30AM at the latest) - and I’m really glad I just did all that vegging out because what was supposed to be a weekend on my own ended abruptly thanks to a child illness that required an early return. I did also finish a book - The Place of Tides by James Rebanks which I have to say was… slow! I know that was the point but I was frankly pretty bored by it. Maybe it means I’m more of a modern girl than I think I am. I don’t want to live on a solo island as a duck woman was basically my take-away.

And now… You know I have to talk about it. I can’t help it.

She’s a showgirl!!!!! (apparently)

For anyone who doesn’t know, I’m a Taylor Swift fan. I even wrote about her in the context of The Winter’s Tale and Sylvia Plath. I’ve done not one, but two podcast episodes about her.¹ I have a “probably listening to Taylor Swift” bumper sticker on my car. I have the cardigan. So I like Taylor, business acumen and very-polished presentation and all.

Honestly it usually takes me 6 months to digest a new album and understand how I feel about it. I did not like Tortured Poets’ Department or Midnights on release but they are probably my most replayed albums currently. I’m a sucker for acoustic so I was all about Folklore and Evermore initially (and I still think Great American Dynasty is some brilliant storytelling) but now I hardly ever replay them. I also think Taylor can speak to you at different moments in life - anyone who’s ever gone through pregnancy loss will probably hear Bigger Than the Whole Sky in a very deep way. I imagine someone who’s experienced an abusive relationship might go to a dark (but very seen) place listening to the 10 minute version of All Too Well. And I mean, don’t you feel a little in love listening to Lover? So not every album has to “vibe” with you all the time, at every moment in your life.

All those caveats out of the way - I think this new album is okay. I think Taylor Swift is not a showgirl. I don’t think she’s edgy. And I always find her endless “shade” songs against the Kardashians and former music producers/collaborators awkward and annoying. Just let it go, girl! I don’t buy the image presented in CANCELLED! of her dark underworld of fellow “hated” celebrities because… Taylor Swift is not hated. The woman is loved!!!! She’s enormously popular and successful even with “the haters” out there. Plus didn’t she tell us all to Shake it Off like 7 albums ago?

Mostly I think Life of a Showgirl can’t settle on a tone - is it earnest or jaded? Does she want the Cartier or no? Is she giving up the superficial for the real or is she living that immortal showgirl life? Maybe she has to live in that tension - wanting the ‘real thing’ with Travis Kelce (I genuinely hope she’s found it) but also having to perpetually put on a performance for the world. But the tension comes out awkwardly in this album.

Track 1 - Fate of Ophelia has a fun, sexy feel and seems a direct address to us - She is not going to become a Tortured Poet after all (poor Ophelia being the covergirl for that kind of angst). When I heard this song I was like oh this album will be good! But then, Track 2 - I wish Elizabeth Taylor was… more about Elizabeth Taylor! who yes, I think was much more of a showgirl and also had a lot more of the nitty-gritty that Taylor seems to be trying to channel in this album (relatively unsuccessfully). Besides some ‘violet eyes’ and diamonds references, we don’t get much. Even though it’s a bit aggressive, I like the production and it’s still fun.

Opalite is almost irritatingly catchy. You feel sort of attacked by it. You WILL DANCE to this song! I feel like a puppet when it’s on - she’s marionetting me into singing along in my kitchen, but I don’t dislike it. Father Figure is also catchy (with some bleh lyrics) but I also forget it the second it ends.

I think her Track 5 was an especially earnest one and I liked it. It reminded me of her Folklore-era song Seven - when she wants us to “Please picture me / In the trees/ I hit my peak at seven feet / In the swing / Over the creek.” We get similar childhood imagery in Eldest Daughter - “You know the last time I laughed this hard was/ On the trampoline in somebody’s backyard/ I must’ve been about 8 or 9.” There’s a lost innocence thing with Taylor and I think she “works” when she leans into that - she’s just a romantic little kid giggling along but hey, life is hard. When she falls in love, for real this time she assures us, she lets go of all that angst - she’s a happy kid again. It’s sweet. Tonally though, it’s odd and doesn’t fit the album.

Ruin the Friendship I have few thoughts on because I skip it usually - it’s boring. I also don’t think you should always ruin a friendship so you can kiss someone (even if they end up dying as they do in these melodramatic lyrics). Actually Romantic - Sigh - more shade, more dissing - she did this much better in I Forgot That You Existed, which was actually funny and a much better song all around. Wi$SH Li$ST gets conservatives excited because it seems like Taylor wants to give up her celebrity lifestyle and start having babies —

“Have a couple kids, got the whole block lookin’ like you
We tell the world to leave us the -bleep- alone
And they do, wow
Got me dreamin’ ‘bout a driveway with a basketball hoop”

So yeah, I like it. It’s catchy and I like babies and the suburbs. Good for her. Again, I’m confused because she made it clear she’s not giving up that Cartier so her dismissal of the shallow wishlists of her contemporaries is strange - she wants it too? I don’t know.

The less said about Wood the better. It’s not sexy, it’s not subtle, and I’m glad she’s happy with her man, but this song is a SKIP from me because it’s not even good musically. The Jackson 5 quoting is so cringe inducing. Just… no. (And for the record - Swift can do some very sexy songs - “Dress” and “Guilty as Sin” are great. This was just way off.)

CANCELLED! - again I just don’t buy it. There’s no underworld for Taylor Swift and her friends. It is very much the upper world of extreme wealth, privilege, and being the most popular musical artist in the world.

Honey - boring, but basic good background music. And Life of a Showgirl featuring Sabrina Carpenter (again, a much more believable showgirl) is just fun fluff. It ends the album nicely, tells a sweet if simple story, and you can sing along. My girls like the part about getting a bouquet.

(and honestly there aren’t many songs I can play with the kids around on this album because the content or language is too much which is also a thumbs down from me just practically! I want to be able to rock out on my way to the grocery store, but nearly always have 2 small people with me. Maybe she’ll get back to more G rated once she and Travis get going on that block party plan.)

And… there you have it! If you skimmed this part because you are one of the “I roll my eyes at Taylor Swift and her ilk” you can come back to the newsletter now. If you have thoughts on the album — I want to hear them!!!!

Now just a few announcements - you won’t want to miss the podcast this week featuring

Haley Stewart

—

S1 EP2: On Aslan’s Side: Fighting the Good Fight with Haley Stewart

Why are we so ready to believe the tragedy? Why do sad things seem truer, more real? Is believing in miracles, or believing in God, just a delusion to get us through the day? How can good stories keep us rooted in truth and goodness, even when faced with real tragedy? These and so many other questions will guide our conversation today. Haley Stewart - children’s book editor, writer, mother, traveler - discusses belief, Hope, and staying on Aslan’s side. Tune in now!

Listen on iTunes, Spotify, wherever you download podcasts: just search - If This Be Magic. and leave a review while you’re there if you can!

You can also upgrade your subscription and hear a bonus question with Haley about what makes a good children’s book. You’ll also hear from my girls (ages 2 and 4) about their favorite books.

And just a shoutout into the void here - if anyone follows comedian, podcaster, writer, Jen Fulwiler - she needs prayers. Her oldest daughter Lane (age 19) had surgery this past Monday for a brain tumor. They still don’t know what they’re dealing with, but it looks like an uphill battle. Jen’s work has helped me through many ups and downs — I’ve seen her do standup 3 times, I always listen to her podcast every week, and basically share her work with anyone and everyone (basically a super fan here). She’s a direct reason why I’m Catholic. Praying hard for her and her family. You can listen to her update here.

That’s all I’ve got folks! It’s CHILLY and I brought out my winter clothes so you can imagine my general ecstasy. I know this was a bit of a veer-off from my normal bullet points (and the whole idea of this weekly newsletter is to be brief, so my apologies) - thanks for bearing with me.

Off to the 4 year old’s riding lesson. Maybe hot cider afterward.

In peace,

Katie

You can give a one time gift and buy the coffee desperately needed to fuel every piece of writing I squeeze in between chasing two very active small children. Thank you!!!

More at: www.katiemarquette.com

“Attic Thoughts” series —

v. 1, v. 2, v. 3, v. 4, v. 5, v. 6, v. 7

Recently paywalled —

“believing in institutions again”

“giving up the ghost”

this newsletter has always been, and will always be, AI free. enjoy the typos!

1

1. Taylor Swift and the Power of Collective Experience with Rachel Sherlock; 2) Taylor Swift & The Art of Storytelling with the

   Reading Revisited
   ladies.