The Revolution Will Be Accessorized: BlackBook Presents Dispatches from the New Counterculture

by Aaron Hicklin

Since it first went to press in 1996, BlackBook has established itself as an arbiter of style, and a forum for new and dynamic writing. The Revolution Will Be Accessorized gathers many of the magazine's strongest pieces, and the result is a star-studded collection that addresses the intersection of pop culture, the arts, politics, and fashion, with provocative contributions from many of today's best writers, Also included are pieces by Neal Pollack, Sam Lipsyte, Joan Didion, Naomi Klein, William T. Vollmann, DBC Pierre, Emma Forrest, and Douglas Coupland, among others. Raw, edgy, and always insightful, The Revolution Will Be Accessorized is a window on to what's happening outside the mainstream.

Genres: Nonfiction, Short Stories, Anthologies, Essays

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Aaron Hicklin is the editor-in-chief of Out, the United States' largest gay men's magazine. He is also editorial director of LPI Media, a division of Regent Media that includes The Advocate. Previously, he was editor of BlackBook magazine. He began his tenure as editor-in-chief of Out in April 2006. Before this he also had a column in the Scottish newspaper, The Sunday Herald, in which he wrote articles about life in New York. He is the author of Boy Soldiers (Mainstream), and the editor of The Revolution Will Be Accessorized (Harper Perennial), an anthology of essays that appeared in BlackBook.

Hicklin was responsible for a controversial cover of Out in May 2007 on which two models held masks of Anderson Cooper and Jodie Foster in front of their faces above the words "The Glass Closet". The cover referenced persistent rumors claiming that they are homosexual, but refuse to come out as such.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decade in the making, BlackBook magazine gives us a collection of essays from some of the most recognized names in contemporary writing, including Douglas Coupland, Naomi Klein, Augusten Burroughs, Chuck Palahniuk and Sam Lipsyte among others. Despite the magazine's reputation as a glossy New York fashion and social arsenal, The Revolution Will Be Accessorized contributes a perverse and provocative criticism of the "trendy" existence these writers (and perhaps even its readers alike) inhabit. From memoirs to critical essays on L.A.'s bourgeoisie, selections in this anthology will leave you questioning efforts of cultural dissent. Yet, Glen O'Brien states it best, "If it makes you think, is it fashion?"

[Emily O · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book up because the book store was doing a two-for-one sale and it looked mildly interesting. As a supporter and performer of modern music I'm always interesting in the avant-garde movements in other arts. Maybe there would be something interesting, challenging, or new! To put it nicely, this book was a complete and total disappointment. I have never in my life seen such a generic collection of essays, short stories, and interviews. I think I would have gotten more shocks from a newspaper. Not only were they not new or counter-cultural, as the cover and blurb claim they are, but they are also just not written very well. Bad writing, boring subjects, and pretentious marketing all conspired to make this book a total waste of my time. Avoid this one at all costs.

[BooksInc Inc · Rating 3 out of 5]

This eclectic series of essays collected by BlackBook's Aaaron Hicklin run the gambit from surreal tales of cannibalism to meditations on the future of literature in the United States. While some of the pieces excelled in thier acontextualized and limited format (e.g. there was a series of 6-word stories by a smattering of contemporary celebrity authors), others were confusing and choppy, little more than a vignet. Taken together, I was left with the distinct impression that there was a message, I just had no idea what it was. An ideal book for browsing.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fine palate cleanser between heavier books. I picked it up because of the big name contributors (I don't read Blackbook magazine), but found it overall to be uneven. Some high points included Meghan Daum's essay on LA, Toby Young's musings on his struggles with sobriety, and the conversation with Joan Didion. Low points include just about every reference to fashion and the chapter with six words stories - definitely skipable. Overall, a fine bit of distraction if you get it used...

[MJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collections of articles, interviews and stories that have appeared in BlackBook magazine written by some of todays top writers like Augusten Burroughs Meghan Daum and Neal Pollack. And like reading a magazine it is a quick and easy read. My favorites were If It Makes You Think Is it Fashion by Gleen O'Brien, Harold and Maude Is Forever by Emma Forrest and Demon Club Soda by Toby Young.

[Arwen Downs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The essays/conversations in this collection were hit or miss - while I lapped up the Irvine Welsh/Damien Hirst, Matthew Barney/Jeff Koons, and Joan Didion, as well as some of the short stories ("My Mother is a Monster" was delightful!), other pieces (to remain nameless)were more of the blowhard variety. I am glad to find out, though, that at least one other person sees networking as an unnatural and bizarre new form of social torture.

[ds white · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story by Augusten Burroughs shook me to the guts of my past. I related to the family dynamics in such a personal way that it was more like standing in front of a mirror and remembering, than reading a story. Also, Ryan Boudinot pops another gem out, as does Sam Lipsyte, e.g. This is a great lunch break or subway/bus ride book. The stories are short but pack reflective punch and all of them are sprinkled with wit and a few belly laughs.
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[Ishita · Rating 3 out of 5]

An assortment of anecdotal stories from a smattering of authors. While a few entries proved to be intriguing musings on our consumerist culture, most were just downright bizarre. Don't be misled by the title - most of these interviews and essays don't deal with fashion at all. Overall, this book is probably most enjoyed by people who have grown up with household names like Naomi Klein and Augusten Burroughs.

[Michael Mckenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a very good version of the sort of thing that it is. Neurotic, authenticity-obsessed authors circling around sinking cultural norms like so many post-punk sharks, this collection is essentially a fat magazine comprised entirely of short, meandering essays. If you like that sort of thing, it's a good couple of hours.

[amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I really just don't go around most days with a lot of clearly formed thoughts in my head, or even reactions to things. So in order, at least, to stay sentient I have to write."
-- Joan Didion in interview, responding to the question "Why do you write?"

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

good & bad in this one, the good mostly in the interviews - a great exchange between matthew barney & jeff koons, daum & didion, some snarky coapland vs naomi klein - & the bad in some really horrendous essays, which at best didn't take long. possibly just a touch too hip for my taste.

[Debs · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of articles and stories that have appeared in Black Book magazine. Some were good, some were just “eh.” I don’t feel cool enough or educated enough to get some of the conversations between the artists.

[Shanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this for ages but haven't read it since it first came out. Speed-read through it again tonight for the Reading Challenge - the only pauses were to laugh hysterically or to consider a point. I am so glad I picked this up - it was like catching up with old friends.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every page is a new experience. All kinds of fascinating pieces of stuff about subjects ranging from the fashion world to the discovery of a living coral reef in the Hudson River, where no such thing should exist.

[Tony Cacioppo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Various pieces from the magazine Blackbook.

[heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's on the coffee table...

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Natch.

[Deb]

Too tragically hip and gleefully elitist pour moi.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah.
Blah.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the essays I wasn't interested in, but the ones I read were really terrific

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hemingway's six word story plus others as well.