Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Valley of the Dolls
Book Review: A Wonderful, BAD Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought this book because I'd gotten a hankering for delving into American pop culture and boy, was this great!! As an American living overseas, I now enjoy things that are 100% USA, and Valley of the Dolls would have to rate pretty high. I love the characters, faults and all. While dated, still a page-turner!Book Review: A classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, so maybe it's a little "trashy", but it's pure fun. Jennifer is the "Marilyn Monroe" type -- desperate to be loved but appreciated only for her looks. Neely is the alcoholic diva/drama queen -- narcissitic and out of control. Anne is the go-getter career girl -- unwilling to settle down and retreat to the boring, suburban, domestic life of her mother. We meet these characters as young women in New York with dreams of a better future who become friends. We spend the next 20 or so years with them as dreams are realized and shattered, and the bonds of friendship are tested. What makes this book so compelling is the characters. Readers will feel as if they know these women and care about what happens to them.Book Review: A cult classic
Summary: 4 Stars
Trash reading at its finest, you say? True, but this is the book that set the standard for all of the other trashy books that followed. Be it Harlequin Romance or Jackie Collins, Jacqueline Susann has written a book that applies back then as much as it can be applied to today. All you need to do is replace the pills with heroine, cocaine and ecstasy.When it was published, I can understand why it was considered revolutionary and groundbreaking. Certainly nothing as frank was written prior to this book. Now we look at it with disdain, but can we really disparage the truth of sex and drugs in the entertainment industry?
I could not put this book down. I can see why it is a cult-classic. As real as it may have been back then, it is probably too true today. Each of the characters bring on their own demise, and you learn to laugh with them, cry with them and despise them for their weaknesses. All very human.
This book is a first. Imitated but not replaced.
Book Review: A masterpiece of sorts
Summary: 4 Stars
Well, it's great to see so many people are reading and enjoying the work of Jacki Susann long after her untimely demise (so take that, Truman Capote). What can I say that hasn't been said already? Yes, "Dolls" is sudsy and over-the-top. Some of the characters are cartoonish, and a lot of them have really ridiculous names (Ted Casablanca? Tony Polar?) But, you know, after you strip away all the camp, melodrama and silliness, 'Valley of the Dolls' is quite simply one of the bleakest books I've ever run across. In the end, all you have is a person who can't live with the things she's wanted so badly all her life: all she wants to do is sleep. It's a devastating indictment of Western materialism, and I find it personally a hell of a lot more moving than the stuff written by literary-establishment types like Ursula Hegi or Toni Morrison. Long live Jacqueline Susann!Book Review: ADDICTIVE
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the greatest novels ever written. I found myself identifying with the character of Anne, routing for her throughout her battles. Was devasted by Jennifer North's tormented life. And was appalled by Neely O'Hara's self-serving nature. Once I started reading I could not put this book down. As an actress who has had the experience both in New York City and Los Angeles, I found the portrayal of these women's experiences and the backstabbing nature of showbiz bitterly truthful right to the end. ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!