Helpful Score: 10
Although "Valley of the Dolls" was written in 1966, neither the plotline nor the message is dated. Susann asks whether having everything you ever wanted really is the key to happiness. There is a reason why this book has remained a bestseller and continues to enthrall a new generation of readers.
Helpful Score: 4
This has been added to my "guilty pleasures" shelf: it's entertaining, easy to read, and provides an indulgent glance into a life I will probably never experience. Although this was published over 40 years ago, the story line is not dated. Things have changed since Jacqueline Susann penned this drama, but the novel's overall themes and the main characters' misadventures are still relevant to those of today: sex, marriage, success, drugs, social status, money, greed, happiness; all are questioned and toyed with in "Valley of the Dolls."
Helpful Score: 3
This is the kind of book I like to read while sitting on the beach. The kind of book you read for fun when you need a break.
The "Dolls" refers to the three women in the book (who are friends sometimes and then not other times) and also to the pills (they call "dolls") that they take.
It seems like a silly book at initial glance (especially with the pink cover) but after finishing the book I was left thinking about women, friends, circumstances in life and how we make our choices of what to do.
The "Dolls" refers to the three women in the book (who are friends sometimes and then not other times) and also to the pills (they call "dolls") that they take.
It seems like a silly book at initial glance (especially with the pink cover) but after finishing the book I was left thinking about women, friends, circumstances in life and how we make our choices of what to do.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a classic! I couldn't put it down...
Helpful Score: 1
I have never seen the movie and decided to read the book first. What a great book! A racy book for the time period that it was written in.
Helpful Score: 1
trashy romance novel with pill poppers
I could totally see how this book flew off the shelves in the 60's and how it inspired a movie. It was SCANDALOUS! I wouldn't really describe it as well-written but I flew the through the 450 pages thanks to the juicy storyline. The book basically chronicles 20 years of the lives of three women who are involved in show business. It follows them through drug addiction, endless partying, mental hospitals, and suicide.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable read. Although it is quite long and it did take me a while to get into, once I did, I could hardly put it down.
Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick enjoyable read. Although it is quite long and it did take me a while to get into, once I did, I could hardly put it down.
Very good book
Not a dull page in the book!
Read this book in 7th grade with the cover peeled off, hidden undercover while I had the mumps. It was delightful and exciting!
FROM THE PUBLISHER
First published in 1966, Valley of the Dolls rocketed to the top of The New York Times best-seller list and went on to sell an unprecedented eight million copies. Unavailable in paperback for over fifteen years, Jacqueline Susann's sensational story of three pill-popping, Gucci-clad show-biz women (whom she modeled after Judy Garland, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe) is back!
First published in 1966, Valley of the Dolls rocketed to the top of The New York Times best-seller list and went on to sell an unprecedented eight million copies. Unavailable in paperback for over fifteen years, Jacqueline Susann's sensational story of three pill-popping, Gucci-clad show-biz women (whom she modeled after Judy Garland, Grace Kelly, and Marilyn Monroe) is back!
I really enjoyed this book. It was very difficult to put it down.
A wonderful classic!!!! These stories are better than ANY drama you could see on TV. Loved it; 5 stars!
This is one of those books that transcends the generic novel, and takes at least a few steps towards literature. A great illustration of the impossible situation the opposiing forces of society and humanity can create.
I simply love this book and it's characters! This book is timeless. I have re-read it many times...This book (and Once Is Not Enough) are definitely my guilty pleasures. (and yes I am a guy)! I highly recommend this book!
This book's got so many twists, it'll have you turning page after page, late into the night. It especially gets wild as the characters reach the 1960s...
This book is timeless , The chacters are so strong that it reels you in I read it in a day. Great chacter;s a must read.
very good book lots of twists and turns
3 girls lives intertwine in the entertainment industry. The "dolls" are the pills they are attached to. Good read!
A little dated but still a good book. Really keeps you turning the pages. I wish Jackie Susann would have lived to write more.If you enjoy Valley don't miss Love Machine. I think it's her best book!
Before Jackie Collins there was Jacqueline Susann. This is the story of three women who become friends when they are young and their rise to the top of the entertainment industry. Too bad the only place to go from there is down. Fun, trashy, great beach read!
I read VALLEY OF THE DOLLS for a "Sixties Theme" in my online book club, The Reading Cove.
All I can say is, wow! I was not expecting this to be such an evocative, well plotted, well nuanced and well layered novel. The characters of Anne, Jennifer and Neely all came to life, like actual people. The interrelationships were honest, flawed and very, very human. The primary settings of LA and Manhattan really came to life as well; you really feel the show biz atmosphere of the 40s, 50s and 60s.
I was completely drawn into the principle characters' lives, and felt a high emotional resonance throughout the story.
The ending left me feeling sad, and wishing things had gone a little differently...but the character development was phenomenal enough to support it. Now, that's good writing!
I plan to read Jacqueline Susann's other books ASAP. She's the writer Jackie Collins always wanted to be!
A-.
All I can say is, wow! I was not expecting this to be such an evocative, well plotted, well nuanced and well layered novel. The characters of Anne, Jennifer and Neely all came to life, like actual people. The interrelationships were honest, flawed and very, very human. The primary settings of LA and Manhattan really came to life as well; you really feel the show biz atmosphere of the 40s, 50s and 60s.
I was completely drawn into the principle characters' lives, and felt a high emotional resonance throughout the story.
The ending left me feeling sad, and wishing things had gone a little differently...but the character development was phenomenal enough to support it. Now, that's good writing!
I plan to read Jacqueline Susann's other books ASAP. She's the writer Jackie Collins always wanted to be!
A-.
fun, easy to read
Very seventies blase.
