Valley of the Dolls

Rating:
Summary: One of my all-time favorite books
Review: I have three books that are my all-time favorites, reading them over and over. They are Dunne's "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles," McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood," and this one, "Valley of the Dolls." The emotions that Susann draws upon so exquisitly pulled me through the ups and downs of each character. Neely, Anne, and Jennifer each have traits that anyone could relate to and seem so real that it's almost shocking that they are fictional. The trust, lust, love and betrayal keep the reader enthralled as very important underlying themes run rampant through this novel. I initially saw the movie first and was captivated. Then, years later, decided to read the book. The book is even better if you can believe that!!!

Would also recommend: "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles" and "Bark of the Dogwood."

Rating:
Summary: The One That Got Me Hooked...On Books!
Review: I read this book when I was a seven year old second grader in public school. It's the first adult novel I ever read, and I LOVED it. The actress Neely, Jennifer the starlet, and the model named Anne are three friends who end up with one thing in common, the red seconal sleeping pills they refer to as "Dolls." No, I didn't think I was picking up book about Barbies when I was so young, but ironically, these "dolls" ARE barbiturates, so they COULD be called Barbies after all. ............. I read this wonderfully written novel with rapt interest, then re-read it a few more times too. The late Jaqueline Susann spins a tale that is timeless and fascinating from beginning to end. The rise and subsequent fall of three women, chronicled with fascinatingly sharp writing, really puts a firm picture of everything in your mind as you read. There's enough deceit, treachery (especially between Neely O'Hara and Helen Lawson) tragedy, heartbreak, and of course, love and sex, to keep your interest throughout. This book is a wild ride that you'll want to take more than once, and once you start reading, it's hard to put this one down. The characters lives are expertly woven together, without a dull moment in between. ............... Having read this and been so thrilled at how absorbing the reading experience could be, (don't forget, this was my first real literary experience), I rushed to my local used book store and bought Susanns other two bestselling novels, "The Love Machine" and "Once Is Not Enough." I enjoyed those too, but "Valley..." is still my favorite by Susann. .............. Read this book, and see the movie version with Patty Duke as Neely, Barbara Parkins as Anne, and Sharon Tate as Jennifer. The movie is as classically entertaining as the book, a rarity. Usually, a movie version of a book disappoints me, but not in this case. ................ For real film buffs, there is also the hilarious Russ Meyer/Roger Ebert (yes, the famous reviewer) outing "Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls" which is how I picture an acid trip in the 60s might've been like, only captured on celluloid. It really doesn't have much to do with the original story, it's a spoof. It's also a rarity that's extremely dated, yet in a great way that's so bad, it's good. ............ "Valley Of The Dolls" is a classic read that will never leave you bored. Like me, you might get hooked forever...on BOOKS that is....

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Dolls
Review: I'm probably not saying anything new, but I'll say it anyway. I absolutely LOVE this book. My mother gave me my first copy of the book when I was 14-15. For the first six months it lay unread on a shelf. Then one day, having nothing else to read, I decided to give it a try. I read it in one sitting! As soon as I finished, I turned back to the beginning and started again. Now I'm on my fourth copy. I couldn't even begin to count how many times I've read it. Most people ask me why. Well, I love re-reading great books. That's as simple as I can state it. Susann begins with Anne arriving in NYC in 1945. It was right after WWII. The novel ends in 1965--20 years and a lifetime later. Of course, anyone who has even read a review knows that the three main characters are: Anne, Neely, and Jennifer. Susann describes the characters and situations they're placed in so vividly you think you're looking in on them, not reading about them. Their lives revolve around the entertainment business. Anne is the blonde New England beauty who begins as a secretary for an entertainment firm (against the advice of people who tell her to go to modelling agencies.) Neely starts as an enthusiastic, bubbly teenager. And Jennifer begins as the sexpot. As the story progresses, so do the characters. Not just the main three, though. Susann throws in plenty of extras and rounds them out as well. There's Lyon Burke, the love of Anne's life. He's handsome, charming, and a bit stand-offish at first. Henry (Anne's boss, then friend) Tony Polar, Jen's singing-sensation husband who was born with an incurable brain disorder. Tony's sister, Miriam, who at first seems like a miserly spinster. Then we find out that she's really just looking out for her brother. Helen Lawson (can't forget to mention her!) is THE Broadway star, stressing the Broad part. She seems like a battleaxe, and often times has to be, but is very lonely. All of these characters age, grow and intermix with each other over the span of the book. Their relationships change, their attitudes change, but most importantly, THEY change. Aside from the characters and imagery however, is the seedy side of glamour. Everyone loves that. If we didn't, tabloids would be out of business. The affairs, the sex, the betrayals and (naturally) the drugs play an intrical part of each character's life.
Even though "Dolls" is approaching it's 40th anniversary, it doesn't seem stale. Some of it is a little dated, to be sure. Broadway isn't the entertainment staple it once was, and television is huge now. Movies are still around, but most of the glamour and glitz is gone. The best part of Susann's writing is that she makes her characters so believable. We can compare them to modern day people. It's this factor that makes it a modern classic (sorry for the oxymoron) I highly recommend this to anyone, but just reading reviews and listening to fans babble about it isn't going to give one a clear picture. Pick it up at the library, borrow it from a friend, whatever. But READ this book--it's absolutely wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Very addictive!
Review: I've been wanting to read this book for a while. It certainly has a reputation! It wasn't great literature, but it was a great read! I read the whole thing in less than two days.
Anne, Neely, and Jennifer are all beautiful girls desperately trying to make it in New York City. The book follows them for twenty-five or so years as they marry, divorce, become famous, become blacklisted, and finally sink into the valley of the dolls. What are dolls you ask? Dolls are pills that come in every shape and color. They help you lose weight, help you sleep, help you stay awake, and help you destroy yourself.
This book presented drugs and sex in a way that no book ever had before. Things are generally the same today. Celebrities will often do anything to keep their status. However, this book was revolutionary for its time. Jacqueline Susann keeps the reader's attention and this book is definitely worth reading!

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING...the best book that I've ever read!
Review: VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is more addictive than the pills that its heroines take. Sure, its trashy, but trash is by far the most entertaining form of literature. The story of three women's fame and descent into a miserable state of drug use and alchohol is entertaining all the way through. You learn to get to know the characters. You also get to love them, hate them, sympathize for them...its completely spellbinding. I looked forward to picking it up every night, and each night it was practically impossible to put it down ("COME ON..stop reading! You have to go to school tomorrow!") But I got to sleep easily, because each night after I reluctantly put the book down I would fondly recall what I had read. Its just fantastic...maybe I'll read it again. If you're a fan of the movie, I reccomend it even more. Its MUCH better than the film (which I LOVE). Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy, NOW!!!