Frida Kahlo: The Last Interview: and Other Conversations

The Last Interview

by Frida Kahlo, Hayden Herrera (Introduction)

Frida Kahlo's legacy continues to grow in the public imagination in the nearly fifty years since her "discovery" in the 1970s. This collection of conversations over the course of her brief career allows a peek at the woman behind the hype. And allows us to see the image of herself she carefully crafted for the public.

Frida Kahlo is now an icon. In the decades since her death, Kahlo has been celebrated as a proto-feminist, a misunderstood genius, and a leftist hero, but during her lifetime most knew her as ... Diego Rivera's wife. Featuring conversations with American scholar and Marxist, Bertram D. Wolfe, and art critic Raquel Tibol, this collection shows an artist undervalued, but also a woman in control of her image. From her timid beginnings after her first solo show, to a woman who confidently states that she is her only influence, the many faces of Kahlo presented here clearly show us the woman behind the "Fridamania" we know today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Art, Feminism

96 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo Calderón was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of México as well as by European influences that include Realism, Symbolism, and Surrealism. Many of her works are self-portraits that symbolically express her own pain and sexuality.

In 1929 Kahlo married the Mexican muralist Diego Rivera. They shared political views, and he encouraged her artistic endeavors. Although she has long been recognized as an important painter, public awareness of her work has become more widespread since the 1970. Her "Blue" house in Coyoacán, México City is a museum, donated by Diego Rivera upon his death in 1957.

Reviews

[Gretchen Rubin]

I love this book series, and this was an interesting quick look at Kahlo's life and work.

[Jeaninne Escallier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read most of the reputable books about Frida Kahlo, I was excited to see this little gem pop up on Amazon. I had envisioned this book to be filled with many interviews of Frida from many sources, reading pages and pages of her own words. Not quite like that, I still truly enjoyed this book.

The preface is a recap of Hayden Herrera's research on the life of Frida, which is worth the price of admission. Hayden's seminal book on Frida's life, called "Frida," is one of the best books I have ever read. That book changed my life. Literally.

The second half of this book is comprised of newspaper and magazine excerpts regarding Frida's early life as Madame Rivera, her introduction to the 1930's art scene. I live for historical nuggets such as these.

However, the coup de grace is contained in the last chapter. It is completely in Frida's voice -- her last true interview with art critic Raquel Tibol, just before Frida's passing. What a joy to revisit Frida's own assessment of her fabulous life. We read so much about her art and her tragedies, but as a person, she gets lost in the hype that surrounds her legacy. In this last chapter, the reader feels like he or she is sitting in the room with her, feeling her spirit up close and personal. Isn't that what any one of us wants before we die?

If you are a Frida-phile like I am, this is a must have item to complete your Frida collections. As they say in Spanish, "Vale la pena." Worth the pain.

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this collection would exceed 100 pages. I read this in under an hour. Furthermore, it included profiles of Frida's work, not so much interviews.

I'm still keeping it.

[Laura Hoffman Brauman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of the Last Interview series. In this installment, it opens with a short bio about Kahlo's life and then moves on to a series of excerpts of interviews starting in 1933 and culminating in her last interview in 1954. It's such an interesting way to get a glimpse into someone's life and to see both the way the interviewer perspective changed over time as well as the way the subject's answers and focus changed. Great series to pick up.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

wish it was a lot longer

[Bloodorange · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small collection of interviews (the eponymous last one, Frida's life story told in her voice, is really interesting), and a good biographical essay by Hayden Herrera. Glad to have read it.

[Bridget · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am very interested in reading more about Frida Kahlo and also want to look at her art. She lived a fascinating, yet sad life.

[Vanessa (V.C.) · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you already know a lot about Frida Kahlo, these interviews are nice as far as getting to know a little more about her in her own words. Even if you don't know much about her, the introduction by Hayden Herrera summarizes her life and work and some of these interviews clearly and succinctly enough that you get the idea of what a gifted, fascinating, fun, hilarious, outspoken, passionate, fragile, and bold woman that Frida was. They don't give us a lot of interviews here though as it seems like Frida wasn't really that much into giving them (understandably so, when you consider her health circumstances), or some are lost or excerpted so this Last Interview is doing the best of what little we actually have.

Sadly, the majority of the interviews read more like art exhibit reviews than actual interviews. Yes, Frida does speak, but she doesn't say much, and what little she does say, it was already mentioned or quoted in the introduction! When you get to these interviews and see those quotes, it feels repetitive because we already know she's going to say that, so it doesn't really leave you feeling that reading these interviews in their entirety was really worth the time. The plus side though, Frida's personality and character does shine through, and these interviews are very short, albeit a little too short. Because it feels like there's so little material here, I'm not sure if this is one that I can recommend highly, but I guess it's a nice and decent addition into learning more about the heart and mind of Frida, even though to be honest, getting a book on her artwork might be better, as her paintings, after all, told us everything that she wanted us to know.

[Kim Tyo-Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought a copy of this slim volume in the COBRA museum gift shop after visiting the exhibition "Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera: A Love Revolution, Masterpieces from the Gelman Collection" here in the Netherlands. I have long been a fan of Giséle Freund's work, so her interview with Kahlo from 1951 is what grabbed me first, but it was Kahlo's last interview in 1953 with Raquel Tibol "Fragments of the Life of Frida Kahlo" that stunned me, where Kahlo's voice took hold of me as she looked back on her art, her family, and her intense physical suffering that was only bearable because she discovered something to live for: painting.

[Emmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a great little collection of interviews and articles published during frida kahlo's lifetime. while this short book is not all-encompassing (given that this is not a traditional biography and knowing that frida was a reserved person who rarely gave interviews), i would say that this book would be a great start for any admirer of her work and is interested in learning more about the big moments of her life. it was interesting to see the transition of interviews restricting frida's identity as just, "diego's wife that sometimes paints," into the final interview in the book where frida, in her own words, recounts her life story and her relationship with painting.

[Anahi Corrales · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title says it all - the book contains Kahlo’s interviews.

It’s a nice introduction to Kahlo, but nothing else. If the reader knows a bit about Kahlo, this book offers no new, fresh information. I’d be nice if the book contained more explanation of Kahlo’s life besides the small introduction before the interviews.

In addition to this, it’d be very cool if the book included pictures of Kahlo’s pieces when speaking about them, especially if these are a mirror-reflection to Kahlo’s life experiences and sufferings.

[Isabel Romero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frida Khalo is one of my biggest inspirations ever of my life, both artistically and non.

“The silent language of painting is a scream for her.”

“The artists life occurs in small jumps like plaques illuminated by a fervent light. She passionately takes time for each moment and each thing, as if something transitive was the most important thing on earth. She is not preoccupied by hope, nor is the informed by memory.”

“The only thing I know is that I paint because I need to, and I paint always whatever passes through my head, without any other consideration.”

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read. Great exposition from Hayden Herrera on the process that went into what has become the seminal biography of Kahlo and a good repository of primary source documents. The final interview that wraps up the book is a pleasure to read. Book is a great resource for HS and undergrad students who need a consolidated source for citation to meet the scourges of APA and MLA and good morning coffee read for anyone.

[Manon Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish it were longer. I enjoyed the selection of interviews chosen for this book as I feel they are some testament to her wit, and her attitude as it connects to her work. There was only one Frida, and I like the way these interviews reinforce that. It’s almost silly, to me at least, how the progression begins with her referred to as “Mrs. Diego Rivera.” In any case, I love all media relating to her or coming from her. And this book is a nice little snapshot.

[Caprice Pause · Rating 5 out of 5]

A closer look at the unwavering determination of Frida Kahlo, as an artist and a human being faced with obstacles and accidents, as well as notoriety and stardom. If you're lookin to get a better understanding of the artist herself, I would highly recommend this short collection of interviews and testimony.

[dyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frida has always inspired me. The way she dealt with pain, her authenticity and forceful energy. This book is not a biography or like the other books, these are stories from the time where Frida was alive, and the reporters showed how they experienced Frida and her artwork. This book is short, beautiful and shows you ‘who was Frida Kahlo?’

[Bronwyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the only book available at the library about Kahlo, so I suppose I shouldn’t complain too much, but I found it awfully sparse. Her Wikipedia article has more detail than the quick summary of her life at the beginning of this book. It’s interesting to see articles that were written about her in her lifetime, but overall this feels like a fairly cynical cashgrab of a book series. Ah well.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice little book, that gives a biography and multiple interviews with Frida Kahlo. I had the feeling I got to know her and she felt really close. It felt like she was alive for some reason. The book gives insight in her eventful live and shows what a strong, intelligent, independent and beautiful woman she is.

[Una · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointingly Brief and Surface-Level

I went into this book expecting a short read with a few interviews, but it turned out to be even more limited than anticipated. The content felt quite basic, offering little depth or new insight into Frida Kahlo’s life or work. Unfortunately, I didn’t learn anything I hadn’t already known.

[Kharisa]

i fell in love with Frida after i watched the movie about her played by salma hayek. i love her more after reading these interviews. i can’t understand art, paintings, her’s or have any appreciation to them. but i can appreciate that art was her way to learn about herself, pain, love and life.

[Ddoddmccue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, well organized collection of concise interviews/ narratives on Kahlo. A quick read, these snippets capture significant events in her life, described in her words.

Consider this a supplement to longer biographies of the artist, but one which uncritically praises her art.

[KV · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is compilation of of interview by different authors with Frida Kahlo tough not much of conversation is cover up in this series. Overall is a short & quick read.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great quick read! All interviews with Frida herself that give a wonderful view into her wit and sense of humor.

[Paola López · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this short Fridita review and especially the last interview.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was glad I read these interviews after reading a basic story of her life so I could piece together what she was talking about.

[Beatriz Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There have been two great accidents in my life. One was the train the other was Diego. Diego was by far the worst.”

[Jamie Whitlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much I don’t already know about Frida Kahlo, but I was unaware of this last article.

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jeanine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a short and easy read, and I learned a lot more about Frida than I even knew before. Well done.

[Maya Hernández · Rating 3 out of 5]

i liked it, but would loved to have had more dialogue and conversation