Help me, I'm literate

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Epople here seem quite good at recommending books, so: Are there any good ones about malls? (don't worry I haven't gone all high-culture well-read. This was prompted by Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure). I'm interested in the rise and development of the concept, and if possible the culture and sociology.

Thanks.

― Graham, Sunday, 7 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

My friend Leslie Felperin wrote a piece on malls, multiplexes and suburbia for Sight and Sound abt four yrs ago: that had some books cited.

― mark s, Sunday, 7 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

i'm pretty sure there's a de certeau article on the everyday which could prove useful.

― Geoff, Sunday, 7 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Not a whole book about the topic, but "Made in America" by Bill Bryson has considerable mall AND supermarket history!

― 1 1 2 3 5, Sunday, 7 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Leslie Felperin - another person who taught at Goldsmiths while I was there! She was big on animation if I remember correctly...

― Andrew L, Sunday, 7 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There must be SOMETHING about them in 'City of Quartz'

― dave q, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oh yes yes yes yes!

Edge City by Joel Garreau. It's all about the weird civilisations that spring up at US highway intersections, with quite a bit of mall focus. And is HILARIOUS. Especially the pithy glossary in the back.

― suzy, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Leslie Felperin used to have the sexiest voice when she did film reviews on GLR back in the day. It made my Thursday evening, and I vaguely remember that Sight & Sound piece being good.

― Pete, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I really love the title of this thread.

― Maria, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

shampoo planet by Douglas Coupland has a few mall moments too.

― chris, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

ILx's own fred did a pretty interesting story about a day at the mall.

― Nicole, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Maybe someone could confirm this for me. Wasn't one of the most important sociological theses of the twentieth century written about shopping? 'The Arcades Project', Walter Benjamin? One of those things I've read about (and details hazy) and not actually read. I love 'Illuminations' though.

― Will McKenzie, Monday, 8 October 2001 00:00 (twenty-four years ago)

three years pass...

Anyone have any good novels or short stories about malls to recommend? There's a great scene in Delilos' White Noise, of course, and a story in AM Homes' The Safety of Objects about a suburban dad stalking his babysitter around a mall. Anyone know of more?

― Jesse, Monday, 18 April 2005 18:09 (twenty years ago)

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