Reviews For Vanity Fair Magazine

I used to subscribe to Vanity Fair, but don't anymore. It never came quickly enough. I would see the magazine in the racks at the local bookstore and couldn't wait for it to show up in my mailbox. Yes, I'm paying more than I would otherwise, but it's worth it.

Vanity Fair is a magazine that has something for almost everyone. It's in depth articles and beautiful photographs are worthy of a place on a bookshelf -- mine, in fact, are lined up in order dating from 1996.

The March 2000 issue included:

Just Great Friends -- an article about the friendship between Rupert Everett and Madonna -- it was much more entertaining and fresh that I would have though possible;

Deadly Devotion -- The story about a young college administrator who's affair with her father-in-law (who happened to be the college president) drove her to suicide;

Signature Sontag -- a bio of the famous author by Christopher Hitchens (a Vanity Fair regular);

Natalie Wood's Fatal Voyage -- an in depth account of what probably happened that fateful night;

Also, columns regarding Elian Gonzalez, The Planet Hollywood debacle, and Bill Gates. To name only a few.

There are frequently articles regarding politics. In December 1999 there was a great article on John McCain, along with another piece by Christopher Hitchens (you know, the man who hated both Princess Diana and Mother Teresa) on the Rudy and Hilary race.

The two things that I believe sets Vanity Fair apart from the others is the depth of its articles -- some of the pieces are 10 pages long, with no monotony; and the ability of most of the writers to take what otherwise might be a ho-hum topic -- a photographer of Empire penguins, for example -- and turn it into a fascinating story.

The Letters to The Editor column can be as interesting as the main features, and often includes many letters from subjects themselves.

On the last page, there is the Proust Questionnaire, a list of questions asked of the rich and famous -- recently David Spade was asked "Which words or phrases do you most overuse?" to which he replied, "The thing about me that's neat..." and "Are you a famous movie star? Oh, that's me. Hi, I'm Dave..."

Annie Leibowitz is often a featured photographer, and the annual Hall of Fame issue that spotlights some of the more influential names of the past year includes some of her best work.

Let's not forget those ads. Some of the most beautiful shots I've seen, although at times (my only complaint) is that there are too many of them. It can be hard to find the table of contents.

Vanity Fair is refreshing, sharp, and enlightening. I'll pay newsstand price for it any day.




Recommended:
Yes

I consistently buy Vanity Fair because the quality of the articles is excellent.

Recently, the magazine has been redesigned. This redesign appears to have been done to make Vanity Fair more appealing to younger readers. I am a 24 year old female, however, I often share the magazine with my parents and male and female friends-- all of whom find it intelligent and interesting. Plus, the beautiful pictures from photographers like Herb Ritts add to the look of the magazine.

I find Christopher Hitchens' writing particularly good. He manages to apply his acerbic wit and obvious intelligence to all of his topics (from setencing minors to death, to the state of Cuba) and I was recently impressed by his sensitive piece on Susan Sontag.

Though many of my male friends insist that this is a woman's magazine, I must disagree. Usually after they read a few issues, they see my point of view. Yet few of them will buy the magazine for fear of seeming girly. Perhaps the magazine could launch a marketing campaign to counteract that instinct.

Though I must admit that I occasionally suffer from momentary lapses in self-esteem after reading an issue of Vanity Fair (oh, to be as beautiful, intelligent and/or talented as the people featured in each issue), the magazine has certainly enhanced my cultural awareness and provides interesting material for "cocktail party" situations.

A similar magazine might be Talk. Personally, I don't find Talk nearly as enjoyable as Vanity Fair. Perhaps it is the difference in paper quality, but I think it is something more. Vanity Fair manages to make most subjects fascinating to me: Hollywood (old and modern), politics, war, profiles of individuals (recently-- a photographer who died young, and took pictures only of penguins; a vibrant Hollywood agent who died young from manic depression), architectural spreads, profiles of art collections and artists, etc.

Vanity Fair is an excellent magazine and you may become a more intelligent person if you can learn from it.


Recommended:
Yes

This is a: News magazine

I love this magazine. I'll say it again: I love this magazine. I wait impatiently for it to arrive each month. It is unlike anything I have ever read, yet I feel more educated and more knowledgable because of it.

Vanity Fair is not a teenager's magazine. It does not offer advice on how to win him back, or the new styles for this years prom/season. It is full of ten page articles that include actual facts, not always someone's opinion on how to minimize your hips or make your breasts look bigger. The articles inform, educate and enlighten the reader because they do offer opinion, but it is based on actual facts.

But I won't lie to you. Vanity Fair does also offer some beautiful photography by Annie Lebowitz and some other wonderful photographers. And there is usually a celebrity on the cover, though not someone you would neccessairly expect. And you see this celebrity outside of their normal element, and shown in such a different way that they're sometimes unrecognizable.

I'll admit this magazine does take some time to work through, as the articles are lengthy, but take my word on it, they are worth the time with the t.v. off.


Recommended:
Yes

This is a: News magazine

I have been a Vanity Fair reader for years after stumbling upon an issue with beautiful photography gracing it's cover. This caught my attention enough to pick it up, read cover to cover and then subscribe. The contributors are top notch. Hard hitting news stories written to some depth alongside lighter weight celebrity profiles. Dominick Dunne is a favorite contributor. His slant on court cases and the workings of the American judicial system is always fascinating. Another unusual aspect of Vanity Fair is that their stories usually tie together in some way to paint a complete picture of current events. As far as their ads are concerned....it generates revenue but sometimes makes reading the magazine cumbersome.

Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: News/Current Events
This is a: News

I am an advid reader of this magazine and have been for a very long time now. I dont think I could explain exactly what one thing draws me to the magazine exactly. Vanity fair has so much to offer. Of course this is more (definately) a womans "point of view" magazine but I have at times even caught my husband browsing the pages. LOL :-) maybe he is trying to learn something!

Vanity Fair covers stories on your favorite celebrities, it features the latest trends in fashion and style, it has tips on make up and beauty issues, sex techniques, as well as real life stories about real life people!! Of course in every issue there are ads thast deal with again fashion and beauty but even some of the ads are worth pondering.

The editorial staff does a wonderful job!! They have a way of wording their articles that makes it easy for a woman to read, and if it should happen, even for a man to read and understand.

I have always loved this magazine since the day I got my first issue! I would recommend this magazine to anyone..man or woman!!


Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
This is a: News magazine

Vanity Fair is one of my many favorite magazines. This magazine is upscale. It has lots of great articles. It's got politics, high society, culture, family treason, authors, celebrities, you name it, Vanity Fair will give it to you. What I like most about Vanity Fair is the quality of writing. The writers are top notch. There use of syntax, grammar, vocabulary and narrative is excellent. Vanity Fair does true crime stories with Dominck Dunne. You have high society writings, about the wealthy New York and international money makers and how screwed up their lives are. The horoscopes are witty. The last page of the magazine, called Proust Questionnaire is probably one of my favorite things about this magazine. Here, they ask one famous person several thought provocating questions, such as What do you most value in your friends, when and where are you most happiest. Vanity Fair is one of the thickest magazines out there, sure it's crammed with lots of glitzy advertisements, but there are really, long(sometimes too long) articles that really get into the heart of the matter.

Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Editorials/Social Commentary
This is a: News

God, I'm a sucker for this magazine. Filled in the world like we are, of advertising-boosted mags, tat and general rubbish to 'sell' countless issues - at least this magazine provides 'opinions' of people, stories and events that leave us to read in minute detail and decide outcomes for ourselves.

As a UK resident I feel that Britain is especially cluttered with magazines that are only 'rag-mag' as opposed to Vanity Fair, the latter which provides an outlook on both national and international stories that the average 'questioning' Brit or American can relate to. Sure, the appeal is also a bit glitzy, luxury and aspirational but the reportages are sheer quality and constantly brilliantly written, issue after issue. I challenge any Brit, at least, to find similar quality, brains and/or appeal.

I can't really fault VF. If I have aspirations left in life, one of them would be to write for either Vanity Fair or National Geographic - both icons of the print media - institutions even! Long may they continue.



Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
This is a: News magazine

I have had a subscription to 'Vanity Fair' for a few years now. I wouldn't dream of letting it lapse.

Each month, they present a variety of articles. Every month usually has at least one celebrity profile. The interviews are usually very thorough, covering the subjects life and current work. The accompanying photographs are by such noted people as Annie Leibowitz and Herb Ritts. They are fun and informative.

There are also articles about current events and politics. The current issue has a great article about Bill Gates'.

For me, the most interesting articles are the mysteries that pop up every other month or so. They have detailed, insightful, thorough articles about various notorious crimes, unsolved mysteries and trials. They seem to be rather fairly written, giving pros and cons to popular theories. The current issue has a great article about Natalie Wood's death and the crime spree of Sante and Kenneth Kimes.

As a freelance screenwriter, many of their articles have given me ideas for my writing.

I wait for each month's issue to arrive in my mailbox and then devour it from page to page.

My only complaint, the noxious perfume ads. Some months, there are 6 or 7. My first act is always to tear them out.

Love the magazine.


Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
This is a: News magazine

For the person looking for a good 'general interest read' then a magazine doesn't come better edited than Vanity Fair. In an era of niche-publications, VF beats the niche magazines at their own game- it beats Premiere and People at celebrities and gossip; George and Time at politics; W and Vogue at society and high fashion; hell, it even whacks the gay press when it does a gay story!

The best part about VF is its writing. The articles are detailed, well-written, polished, and lengthy- the kind of solid, in-depth, cover-the-angles investigative journalism that went out when shortened attention spans came in. There are alot of ads but ad pages pay for the consistent excellence of VF. While VF does veer to the social and cultural elements, the magazine is so chocked full of long articles (twice as many and more varied as the competition I'd say), that anyone from a fashion victim to a policy buff can find a good read within its pages.




Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
This is a: Tabloid

I love Vanity Fair. I can't say that enough. The celebrity interviews are in depth and bring out a more intelligent, artistic side of the star or artist, which is something that is rarely done in the superficial interviews we are all used to. The political commentaries are insightful and the political coverage is full force, down with the issues and inside all of the players heads. Their heavy focus on the arts (and by that I mean ARTS, not only entertainment) is interesting, and opens the average reader up to some culture not normally discussed in a public forum. Wonderful pictures, coupled with all of these articles leads to a magazine that cannot be so easily and quickly devoured as most magazines of the time. This magazine should not be classified under celebrity gossip. It is so much more.


Recommended:
Yes

Primary Reason for Buying: Articles
This is a: News magazine