Yona Zeldis McDonough is the author of seven novels. Her short fiction, articles, and essays have been published in anthologies as well as in numerous national magazines and newspapers. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Contents

Introduction

Who's That Girl? Steven C. Dubin

Golden Oldie Stephanie Coontz

Dangerous Curves

Barbie Buys a Bra Pamela Brandt

Elegy for My Mother M. G. Lord

Teen Idol Leslie Paris

Barbie Meets Bouguereau Carol Ockman

Barbie's Body Project Wendy Singer Jones

Sex and the Single Doll Yona Zeldis McDonough

Happy Birthday to You!

Barbie at 35 Anna Quindlen

My Mentor, Barbie Susan Shapiro

Barbie in Black and White Ann duCille

Barbie Does Yom Kippur Rabbi Susan Schnur

Postmodern Muse

Photographing the Dolls Jeanne Marie Beaumont

Of Mere Plastic David Trinidad

Planning the Fantasy

Wedding Denise Duhamel

Holocaust Barbie Denise Duhamel

Barbie's Gyn Appointment Denise Duhamel

Material Girl Melissa Hook

Barbie Gets a Bum Rap Sherrie A. Inness

Our Daughters, Their Barbies

I Believe in Dolls Carol Shields

You Can Never Have

Too Many Jane Smiley

Barbie Doesn't Live Here

Anymore Mariflo Stephens

Barbie, Twelve-Step Toy Molly Jong-Fast

Twelve Dancing Barbies Erica Jong

Barbie as Boy Toy Meg Wolitzer

Notes and References

Contributors

Index

On the occasion of her 40th birthday, the complete story of Barbie, featuring an inspired collection of essays by Jane Smiley, Erica Jong, Anna Quindlen, Carol Shields, Meg Wolitzer, and a host of other Barbie-watchers. 8-page photo insert.