I, TINA

by Tina with Kart Loder Turner ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 19, 1986

Turner fans who have been following her recent successes by reading People and Life won't learn much more by reading this. The book is divided between background material, presumably written by collaborator Loder, and transcribed commentary from Turner about the period being discussed. He sets the stage, she has the dialogue. The total effect is like reading the script of a documentary, with voices from the past also spliced in. These include the star's family and longtime friends plus a few surprises, such as former husband, wife-beater, Ike, and the boy friend who deflowered her. Unfortunately, Turner doesn't seem very well served by Loder. The historical tidbits that he uses to introduce each chapter read suspiciously like padding, and they're poorly done besides. The only time Loder, a senior editor at Rolling Stone, really gets going is when he sets the stage for the emergence of Ike Turner and the then-flourishing club scene in East St. Louis. What fans will get is lots of facts--names, places, activities--to fill in the story that they already know. For example: in previous interviews, Turner has revealed that she was mentally, emotionally and physically abused by Ike. Here she recounts page after page of horrific stories to illustrate the extent of the abuse. Turner describes her addiction to shopping, her sessions with psychic readers and the chanting which she credits with building the strength she needed to break out of her marriage. But the overall effect is flat. No one seems to have done much probing into what gives Turner her energy and stamina, and the book has none of the excitement she projects as a performer.

Pub Date: Sept. 19, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1986

Categories: NONFICTION