Ideal Beauty: The Life and Times of Greta Garbo

Greta Garbo was a star in silent and talkie films, known for her understated performances that suggested deep melancholy and strong desires. Her retirement from Hollywood at age thirty-six fueled her fascination. Ideal Beauty reveals the woman behind the mystique, overcoming an impoverished childhood to become a Hollywood star. Banner's book explores Garbo's life, career, sexuality, illnesses, and breakdowns, and her spiritual awakening.

Format: Hardback
Length: 286 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Rutgers University Press

Greta Garbo, a legendary figure in the world of cinema, was not only a captivating beauty but also a profound enigma. A star in both silent films and talkies, Garbo's understated performances hinted at a deep melancholy and intense desires that lay just beneath the surface. Offscreen, she was even more mysterious and alluring, as her retirement from Hollywood at the age of thirty-six only fueled the public's fascination.

Ideal Beauty delves into the woman behind the mystique, revealing the journey of a woman who overcame humble beginnings to achieve remarkable success. From her humble beginnings as a student at the Swedish Royal Dramatic Academy to her rise as an actress in European films and ultimately her Hollywood stardom, Garbo's story is a testament to her resilience and determination.

The book meticulously chronicles her tough negotiations with Louis B. Mayer at MGM, showcasing how Garbo carved out enough power in Hollywood to create a distinctly new feminist screen presence in films like Queen Christina. Through extensive archival research in Sweden, Germany, France, and the United States, Banner provides a fresh perspective on Garbo's life, shedding light on aspects that have been debated for decades.

Ideal Beauty offers a comprehensive exploration of Garbo's childhood, sexuality, career, illnesses, breakdowns, and spiritual awakening. It provides answers to many long-debated questions about the iconic actress, offering a deeper understanding of her complex personality and enduring legacy.

Greta Garbo's impact on female beauty in the twentieth century cannot be overstated. Her timeless elegance, captivating screen presence, and ability to convey emotions through her eyes have made her a symbol of femininity and allure. Through Ideal Beauty, readers gain a fresh perspective on this iconic figure, exploring the woman behind the mystique and the enduring influence she has had on the world of cinema.

Weight: 499g
Dimension: 235 x 156 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978806504