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March 9, 2026
Love Magic Power Danger Bliss by Paul Morley review
A vivid celebration of the artist covers her childhood and breakthrough in New York – while sidelining ‘that other business’
TL;DR
- Paul Morley's book "Love Magic Power DangerBliss" examines Yoko Ono's life and art before her relationship with John Lennon.
- The book details Ono's upbringing in a wealthy family, her experiences during the firebombing of Tokyo, and her early education.
- It explores her involvement in the downtown New York art scene with other avant-garde artists, including Fluxus movement members.
- Morley defends and celebrates Ono's vision of art as ephemeral, confounding, and non-linear, which he contrasts with modern authoritarians.
- The book is noted for excellent retellings of key projects like "Cut Piece" and captures some of Ono's dry humor.
- Criticisms include lengthy digressions, capsule summaries, and a lack of focus on other female Japanese artists and scholars who have championed Ono's work.
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