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All the World's a Mall
All the World's a Mall details a whirlwind world tour in five Edmonton, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, and Casablanca, chosen because they are home to some of the biggest malls on the planet. Cities within cities, these malls are wonderlands where visitors come from afar walk, eat, sleep, watch, swim, ride, photograph, and, of course, shop. With a curious, critical, and sometimes ironic eye, Swiss journalist Rinny Gremaud recounts her travels to and through these monstrous spaces of excess, relaying her conversations with patrons, employees, and executives, and contemplating the effects of globalized commerce. Informative and thoughtful, exhilarating and exhausting, jet-lagged and always air conditioned, All the World's a Mall is a truly memorable, hallucinatory adventure.
152 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 22, 2022
Beau récit sur l’enlaidissement du monde. Le chapitre sur Dubaï est particulièrement réussi.
May 26, 2024
The writing is stilted and I found myself feeling bleak with every visit at every mall. The author doesn’t seem to like malls…no idea why she chose to write about them. Took me over 2 months to finish this book because I kept reading others instead.
April 21, 2026
DNF 20%
This study of shopping malls across the world was written by someone who 1. hates them very much, 2.resents all the time she has voluntarily spent inside of them, and 3. is very, very dramatic. This style of exaggerated editorial drama just wasn't for me; I hated how critical the author was of everyone's physical appearance she met, and just how judgemental her criticisms of individuals were. I don't really want to hear if she thinks someone's jacket is tacky, or if she thinks it makes the person's shoulders look too broad, or that she wishes this stranger's breasts were smaller! What?? They're wearing too much makeup, they're overweight, they're ugly.....I especially don't care if she believes these things must make these individuals unhappy, or somehow worse than whoever's sat next to them. Oh how miserable they must be, to enjoy a place the author herself dislikes so strongly! First dnf of the year.
This study of shopping malls across the world was written by someone who 1. hates them very much, 2.resents all the time she has voluntarily spent inside of them, and 3. is very, very dramatic. This style of exaggerated editorial drama just wasn't for me; I hated how critical the author was of everyone's physical appearance she met, and just how judgemental her criticisms of individuals were. I don't really want to hear if she thinks someone's jacket is tacky, or if she thinks it makes the person's shoulders look too broad, or that she wishes this stranger's breasts were smaller! What?? They're wearing too much makeup, they're overweight, they're ugly.....I especially don't care if she believes these things must make these individuals unhappy, or somehow worse than whoever's sat next to them. Oh how miserable they must be, to enjoy a place the author herself dislikes so strongly! First dnf of the year.
June 29, 2026
In “All the World’s mall”, journalist Rinny Gremaud embarks on a world tour in five stops, visiting Edmonton, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur,. Dubai, and Casablanca - cities that are home to some of the biggest shopping centers on the planet.
Her keen observations go beyond the mere exploration of global shopping. She takes on a journey that explores income inequality, consumerism, and thought-provoking reflections on the effects of globalization. Across these cities, a striking similarity emerges: they all seem to mirror each other. Indeed, the shopping malls’ landscape is dominated by familiar global brands such as Starbucks, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Zara, Michael Kors, Sephora, Levi’s, etc.
The book paints a rich tapestry of the author’s experience, a whirlwind of exhilaration and exhaustion, navigating through different time zones, always jet-lagged yet cocooned in the comfort of air conditioning.
Reflecting on the narrative, I’m reminded of my own experiences in Kaohsiung, Taiwan one summer, where local students I worked with suggested spending the weekends at shopping walls (specifically the Dream Mall, largest shopping mall in Taiwan, and 15th largest in East Asia). Despite their enthusiasm, these malls offered a replica of the same global brands found worldwide echoed by Gremaud’s observations: these brands whose origins can hardly be traced anymore, but reassure the consumers by offering them world-class shopping experience. I personally wanted to try the local cuisine, visit attractions that are unique to this part of the world, and not spending my weekends shopping at stores i could literally go anywhere else in the world. (obviously, nothing against shopping while travelling as it has its own perks)
Here are some quotes I found note-worthy:
I cannot help but wonder if somewhere behind these temples dedicated to abundance, behind this wish to found something large and perfectly ordered such as a city of a dream of a city centre, there might be some vaguely psychological explanation that derives from an early experience of lack, something that might even apply by extension to consumer society as a whole.
The sound of a suitcase towed over the fake marble floor of the airport. A selfie in front of the departures screen, as a couple or in a group of friends. Check in, a selfie, security check for carry-on, a selfie, wander through duty-free. Result: 3 idiotic magazines, a long-lasting mositurizing cream, sun-protection hairspray, a fruity perfume, flowery, something light for the vacation. Boarding, please turn off your electronics, taking off, floating, inflight entertainment, floating, inflight shopping, floating, landing. Bringing your cellphone back to life, and then… the 3G network doesn’t have the same name or the same cost. This is where elsewhere starts.
Her keen observations go beyond the mere exploration of global shopping. She takes on a journey that explores income inequality, consumerism, and thought-provoking reflections on the effects of globalization. Across these cities, a striking similarity emerges: they all seem to mirror each other. Indeed, the shopping malls’ landscape is dominated by familiar global brands such as Starbucks, H&M, Victoria’s Secret, Zara, Michael Kors, Sephora, Levi’s, etc.
The book paints a rich tapestry of the author’s experience, a whirlwind of exhilaration and exhaustion, navigating through different time zones, always jet-lagged yet cocooned in the comfort of air conditioning.
Reflecting on the narrative, I’m reminded of my own experiences in Kaohsiung, Taiwan one summer, where local students I worked with suggested spending the weekends at shopping walls (specifically the Dream Mall, largest shopping mall in Taiwan, and 15th largest in East Asia). Despite their enthusiasm, these malls offered a replica of the same global brands found worldwide echoed by Gremaud’s observations: these brands whose origins can hardly be traced anymore, but reassure the consumers by offering them world-class shopping experience. I personally wanted to try the local cuisine, visit attractions that are unique to this part of the world, and not spending my weekends shopping at stores i could literally go anywhere else in the world. (obviously, nothing against shopping while travelling as it has its own perks)
Here are some quotes I found note-worthy:
I cannot help but wonder if somewhere behind these temples dedicated to abundance, behind this wish to found something large and perfectly ordered such as a city of a dream of a city centre, there might be some vaguely psychological explanation that derives from an early experience of lack, something that might even apply by extension to consumer society as a whole.
The sound of a suitcase towed over the fake marble floor of the airport. A selfie in front of the departures screen, as a couple or in a group of friends. Check in, a selfie, security check for carry-on, a selfie, wander through duty-free. Result: 3 idiotic magazines, a long-lasting mositurizing cream, sun-protection hairspray, a fruity perfume, flowery, something light for the vacation. Boarding, please turn off your electronics, taking off, floating, inflight entertainment, floating, inflight shopping, floating, landing. Bringing your cellphone back to life, and then… the 3G network doesn’t have the same name or the same cost. This is where elsewhere starts.
December 17, 2024
2.5 stars
Read my full review here.
Read my full review here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2023
A long time ago, during my university spring break, I spent an entire week at West Edmonton Mall.
It may sound crazy, but before I left, my friends had asked me to bring back something from either “The Gap,” “Beaver Canoe,” or “Benneton.” Can you believe it?
Little did I know my time at the mall would profoundly impact me. The monotonous air that filled the mall seemed to seep into my very being. I became just another consumer, mindlessly browsing.
Years later, those very same stores opened in my hometown. As malls continue homogenizing, I couldn’t help but wonder if there’s any reason to visit them anymore. They all offer the same products, competing for the same dollars.
I realized that allowing kids to hang out at malls is a deceptive ploy, an indoctrination into a shallow consumer culture. It’s as if a hand constantly reaches into our wallets, leaving us with nothing.
In Rinny Gremaud’s book, “All The World's a Mall,” she embarks on a journey across the globe to explore these temples of consumption and excess. I have to say, it was one of the most horrifying reads of the year. Every mall, no matter where Rinny went, was eerily similar. They are the result of men’s egos, each trying to outdo the other in size and catering to the misguided notion of what women want. It’s disheartening.
Take, for example, the presence of sharks and penguins in a mall in Dubai. It may sound like a strange sight, but the answer to that question is truly depressing.
After my experience at West Edmonton Mall, I sympathized with Rinny. Thankfully, I developed a strong aversion to shopping malls. I no longer have the desire to browse or shop aimlessly. I genuinely hope Rinny is doing okay. The mall environment is a microcosm of all the problems that plague humanity.
And I genuinely hope those penguins and sharks have a good sense of humour.
It may sound crazy, but before I left, my friends had asked me to bring back something from either “The Gap,” “Beaver Canoe,” or “Benneton.” Can you believe it?
Little did I know my time at the mall would profoundly impact me. The monotonous air that filled the mall seemed to seep into my very being. I became just another consumer, mindlessly browsing.
Years later, those very same stores opened in my hometown. As malls continue homogenizing, I couldn’t help but wonder if there’s any reason to visit them anymore. They all offer the same products, competing for the same dollars.
I realized that allowing kids to hang out at malls is a deceptive ploy, an indoctrination into a shallow consumer culture. It’s as if a hand constantly reaches into our wallets, leaving us with nothing.
In Rinny Gremaud’s book, “All The World's a Mall,” she embarks on a journey across the globe to explore these temples of consumption and excess. I have to say, it was one of the most horrifying reads of the year. Every mall, no matter where Rinny went, was eerily similar. They are the result of men’s egos, each trying to outdo the other in size and catering to the misguided notion of what women want. It’s disheartening.
Take, for example, the presence of sharks and penguins in a mall in Dubai. It may sound like a strange sight, but the answer to that question is truly depressing.
After my experience at West Edmonton Mall, I sympathized with Rinny. Thankfully, I developed a strong aversion to shopping malls. I no longer have the desire to browse or shop aimlessly. I genuinely hope Rinny is doing okay. The mall environment is a microcosm of all the problems that plague humanity.
And I genuinely hope those penguins and sharks have a good sense of humour.
January 11, 2024
Hands up, former mallrats.
That's what we did back in the day - pre-Internet, pre-cell phones. We went to the mall, to "see and be seen".
Thank you to zgreads and U of A Press for my gifted copy of All The World's A Mall for review!
These are not simply profiles of noteworthy malls from around the world.
Swiss author Rinny Gremaud takes us into her travels, often weary and jet-lagged, as she visited 11 very different shopping meccas in 2014.
She tells us about the cities and histories of each center and documents the noteworthy features in each mall. But there are also very human details she noted along the way.
It's a travelogue, with malls as destinations.
Gremaud's slightly lyrical, at times nearly poetic, writing style was most unexpected.
And this former mallrat found the read a pleasant surprise. Recommended!
Featured:
Lausanne
Edmonton
Vancouver
Beijing
Singapore
Kuala Lampur
Bangkok
Dubai
Istanbul
Casablanca
Lisbon
That's what we did back in the day - pre-Internet, pre-cell phones. We went to the mall, to "see and be seen".
Thank you to zgreads and U of A Press for my gifted copy of All The World's A Mall for review!
These are not simply profiles of noteworthy malls from around the world.
Swiss author Rinny Gremaud takes us into her travels, often weary and jet-lagged, as she visited 11 very different shopping meccas in 2014.
She tells us about the cities and histories of each center and documents the noteworthy features in each mall. But there are also very human details she noted along the way.
It's a travelogue, with malls as destinations.
Gremaud's slightly lyrical, at times nearly poetic, writing style was most unexpected.
And this former mallrat found the read a pleasant surprise. Recommended!
Featured:
Lausanne
Edmonton
Vancouver
Beijing
Singapore
Kuala Lampur
Bangkok
Dubai
Istanbul
Casablanca
Lisbon
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews