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kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant... it's remarkable that I can read several hundred pages of theater reviews, having never heard of many of the shows or actors, and still be completely engaged by such a talented writer. It's fascinating both for the history and the quality of the writing. Everyone should read this.
ederwin's review
4.0
A short biography of Dorothy Parker, told largely through quotations. That is a style that would not work for most celebrities, but works very well for DP since she is most remembered for her often caustic quips. Barry Day is listed as "Editor" rather than author on the title page. That seems unfair. He did more than just gather interesting quotes. He obviously did research and tells the story of her life, just with fewer of the boring details included in most bios and more direct quotes. (This style would probably work well for Oscar Wilde as well, and lo and behold, Barry Day did one of these on him as well.)
She said so many memorable, funny, wise, and just plain mean, things that I am tempted to fill this review with them, but I leave you to find them on your own.
She was a master "insult comic", like Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Bianca Del Rio, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, .... But she didn't seem to have an off switch. She was always "on stage". Which would make it hell to live with her, love her, employ her, rent to her, or be her.
Through this book I did learn a little about her real life, which largely feels sad. But there were some nice parts. I hadn't known before of her involvement with the Spanish Civil War, which, among other things, got her in trouble with the House Un-American Activities Committee. She survived that committee without going to jail, but she was blacklisted for "premature anti-Fascism". (Now there's a concept! Remember, kids, if you're going to be anti-Fascist, wait until it is fashionable!)
One puzzling omission: although the book talks about her writing her will, it doesn't mention that she left her estate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the NAACP.
She said so many memorable, funny, wise, and just plain mean, things that I am tempted to fill this review with them, but I leave you to find them on your own.
She was a master "insult comic", like Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Bianca Del Rio, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, .... But she didn't seem to have an off switch. She was always "on stage". Which would make it hell to live with her, love her, employ her, rent to her, or be her.
Through this book I did learn a little about her real life, which largely feels sad. But there were some nice parts. I hadn't known before of her involvement with the Spanish Civil War, which, among other things, got her in trouble with the House Un-American Activities Committee. She survived that committee without going to jail, but she was blacklisted for "premature anti-Fascism". (Now there's a concept! Remember, kids, if you're going to be anti-Fascist, wait until it is fashionable!)
One puzzling omission: although the book talks about her writing her will, it doesn't mention that she left her estate to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the NAACP.
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