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Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the Twentieth CenturyGreil Marcus, author of Mystery Train, widely acclaimed as the best book ever written about America as seen through its music, began work on this new book out of a fascination with the Sex Pistols: that scandalous antimusical group, invented in London in 1975 and dead within two years, which sparked the emergence of the culture called punk. "I am an antichrist " shouted singer Johnny Rotten where in the world of pop music did that come from? Looking
Greil Marcus, author of Mystery Train, widely acclaimed as the best book ever written about America as seen through its music, began work on this new book out of a fascination with the Sex Pistols: that scandalous antimusical group, invented in London in 1975 and dead within two years, which sparked the emergence of the culture called punk. "I am an antichrist " shouted singer Johnny Rotten--where in the world of pop music did that come from? Looking for an answer, with a high sense of the drama of the journey, Marcus takes us down the dark paths of counterhistory, a route of blasphemy, adventure, and surprise. This is no mere search for cultural antecedents. Instead, what Marcus so brilliantly shows is that various kinds of angry, absolute demands--demands on society, art, and all the governing structures of everyday life--seem to be coded in phrases, images, and actions passed on invisibly, but inevitably, by people quite unaware of each other. Marcus lets us hear strange yet familiar voices: of such heretics as the Brethren of the Free Spirit in medieval Europe and the Ranters in seventeenth-century England; the dadaists in Zurich in 1916 and Berlin in 1918, wearing death masks, chanting glossolalia; one Michel Mourre, who in 1950 took over Easter Mass at Notre-Dame to proclaim the death of God; the Lettrist International and the Situationist International, small groups of Paris--based artists and writers surrounding Guy Debord, who produced blank-screen films, prophetic graffiti, and perhaps the most provocative social criticism of the 1950s and '60s; the rioting students and workers of May '68, scrawling cryptic slogans on city walls and bringing France to a halt; the Sex Pistols in London, recording the savage "Anarchy in the U.K." and "God Save the Queen." Although the Sex Pistols shape the beginning and the end of the story, Lipstick Traces is not a book about music; it is about a common voice, discovered and transmitted in many forms. Working from scores of previously unexamined and untranslated essays, manifestos, and filmscripts, from old photographs, dada sound poetry, punk songs, collages, and classic texts from Marx to Henri Lefebvre, Marcus takes us deep behind the acknowledged events of our era, into a hidden tradition of moments that would seem imaginary except for the fact that they are real: a tradition of shared utopias, solitary refusals, impossible demands, and unexplained disappearances. Written with grace and force, humor and an insistent sense of tragedy and danger, Lipstick Traces tells a story as disruptive and compelling as the century itself.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Belknap Press
Published: 11/01/2009
ISBN: 9780674034808
Pages: 482
Weight: 1.50lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.30w x 1.00d
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4.0 ★★★★★
Based on 1756 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 4
“My heart bows to you and you only, Huntress.”
Format: Kindle
3.5 🌟
This book popped up in my KU recommended reading suggestions and the synopsis sounded like what I was in the mood for. I'm so glad I took a chance on it. I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about it and ended up really liking it. I love when this happens.
The main characters are likeable and I easily found myself rooting for them. There is a mystery element to each of their backstories that I enjoyed watching unfold and can't wait to get more of. Wolf, in particular, has me fixated. Love him.
I found this to be an entertaining, addictive read with a plot that moves along at a good pace. It reads so easily I found myself very reluctant to put it down. Lots of twists and turns and the angst is there. A good set up for the next book to come, for sure.
My issues with this book....the dialogue feels a bit juvenile at times and there is a repetitive over use of a particular word phrasing that I found myself giving the ole eye-roll to. There are, without a doubt, some pretty cliche moments that gave me a bit of the cringe. I think this could've certainly 100% benefited from more depth regarding the world building. Perhaps the world building was sacrificed to keep the pacing quick? Just a guess. Also, the lack of consistency of character for the FMC was really evident and so she feels quite illogical at times.
Overall, this was a fun and enjoyable read that hit the spot well enough for me. That ending certainly has me impatiently pining for book 2!
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Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
★★★★★ 3
Interesting take on the genre
Format: Kindle
True rating: 3.25 ⭐️
I enjoyed the fresh take on the genre. The best way I could describe the setting and world is an apocalyptic dystopian version of Farie where vampires, fae, and angles struggle to survive in what is left of the world. It was definitely interesting throwing the academy/hunger games aspect into this world as well.
Even though I guessed the final reveal early on in the book, I kept hoping I was wrong, and it would take a surprising turn. While the "plot twists" were a bit predictable to me, I still enjoyed the ride this book took me on.
Another downfall for me was the plot holes in the world building... I.E. if society has fallen and the world is in the aftermath of war, how are there trains running around the world? Just to take young adults to the trials to get into the golden city? How is the train maintained, the tracks clear, etc?
However, I did enjoy the FMC & MMC and thought they were fleshed out nicely. I also enjoyed the side characters but wish some were developed more like Ashalin (sp?). I do find myself rooting for the MCs to succeed and find happiness together, which is obviously an important aspect for romantasy.
Overall, was this an earth-shattering, mind-bending, terrific piece of literature? No. But was it the worst thing I've read this year? Also, no. This book has, to me, the bones of a great read & just needs a bit more to push it from an alright book to a great book.
Overall ratings:
Plot- 3.5⭐️
World building 3⭐️
Spice 2.5 🌶🌶
Main characters 4 ⭐️
Supporting characters 3.5⭐️
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
★★★★★ 5
great book
Format: Kindle
I am really excited to meet the author at the book retreat this month. I really enjoyed this world that she built and most of the female main character Huntress is so awesome. She goes through a lot in this book and the ending; wow! I wouldn't have even guessed. I highly recommend everyone to read this book.
I have been so lucky this year that almost all the books I have read have been, so far, 5 out 5 stars.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Fallen for the Fallen Angel – A Guilty Pleasure Worth Every Page
Format: Kindle
There’s something deeply irresistible about a dark academia or trial-based setting, a brooding and arrogant fallen angel, and a fierce heroine with enough sass to go toe-to-toe with him. Wings So Wicked is exactly that kind of book—and I devoured it in just a couple of days.
To be fair, the plot isn’t groundbreaking. If you’re looking for something fresh and innovative in terms of storyline, this might not be it. But if your reader heart beats faster at the mere mention of enemies-to-lovers, jealousy-fueled banter, magical trials, betrayals, and forbidden tension—you’ll feel right at home. It’s like catnip for those of us with this particular weakness.
The chemistry between the leads could have used a slightly slower burn to make the tension sizzle longer, but I still found myself completely invested in their dynamic. There are moments and phrases that feel a bit cheesy or underdeveloped, but honestly? I didn’t care. The vibes were exactly what I wanted.
This book isn’t trying to reinvent the genre—it’s here to give readers like me what we crave: high-stakes magical drama, angsty romance, and the thrill of watching a badass girl and her brooding counterpart clash and spark. If that sounds like your kind of story, Wings So Wicked will hit the mark.
Here’s hoping Book 2 turns up the heat and keeps the magic alive.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
★★★★★ 5
my new favorite book
Format: Kindle
Ok so I never write reviews but this book was so good I felt the need to write this. Firstly your introduced to Huntyr you see her closed off hard core badass than towards the end you see the most subtle change and growth it’s amazing and the enemies to friends to lovers was just perfect, AND THE TWIST AT THE END GOT ME GOOD! You see one spicy scene the whole book but it doesn’t even MATTER BECAUSE THE BOOK WAS THAT GOOD. I’ve read 85 books in 2023-2024 so far and I’m pround to say this is my all time favorite. I’m so excited to read more of Emily Blackwoods books, this was my first time reading one of hers and I’m glad I did because HOLY!! Well done Emily well done
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Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024