Divine Decadence

The character of Sally Bowles, a cabaret singer and symbol of "divine decadence," serves as a lens through which to explore cultural anxieties and historical contexts from Weimar Berlin to modern interpretations. Linda Mizejewski analyzes various adaptations of Sally's story, revealing how each iteration intertwines themes of sexuality and fascism, often reflecting the political complexities of its time. The book critiques how these adaptations inadvertently replicate the very fascist politics they aim to critique, highlighting issues of homophobia, misogyny, and the spectacle of sexuality.