Lovely Me: The Life of Jacqueline Susann

by Barbara Seaman

Book Overview

Barbara Seaman's pioneering biography of the author of Valley of the Dolls, The Love Machine, and other mega-sellers examines the life of a woman who exhibited amazing strength in every aspect of her life-from getting her writing published and promoted to fighting her ultimate adversary, breast cancer.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688050107
• ISBN13: 9780688050108
• Release Date: January 1987
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 1.90 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Jaqueline Susann, All shes cracked up 2 be?

After reading "Valley Of The Dolls" I was an instant fan. I tend to lean towards the characters that are dramatic and ambitious. While reading "Valley..." I realized that I related a lot, Even with the pills,( even though I dont take any). After Jaqueline cheated on her husband, She seemed very similar to Courtney love, Therefore changing my thoughts completely about the type of woman she was. Her work is no doubt incredible, Creative, honest and heartfelt. I truly recommend anything written or influenced by Jaqueline Susann. I just wish I was alive to watch her every step of the way.

Lovely Read

Jackie Susann changed the face of women's literature. There were others ahead of her, Margaret Mitchell, Taylor Caldwell, Mary McCarthy and Grace Metalious all come to mind. Yet it was Susann who took the s-e-x out of the implied and on to the explicit, redefining the path of fiction forever. The authors of too many biographies, in their quest for thoroughness and scholarship, take lively subjects and make them dull. Seaman has avoided that trap here, instead writing a biography that reads much like a novel itself.Seaman portrays Susann as she was, uneducated, possessing no special talent, cursed by misfortunes, of which she had more than her share. Susann failed as an actress, she failed as a talk show host. Yet Susann also was driven and undeterred in her determination to find success, and find success she did. In the process, she not only re-defined the way in which contemporary fiction was written--she also re-designed the way in which books themselves were marketed. And Seaman has provided all of the details in LOVELY ME. To Seaman's credit, this biography never loses its pace; she keeps the story interesting right to its inevitable end.Knowing the right people, being seen in the right places, was the essence of Susann's determination, and Jackie saw to these with great precision. Eventually, the fictionalized version of her life would become the basis of her bestsellers.Therefore, in the process of telling Susann's life story, Seaman also offers a snapshot of life in New York City from the 1930's to the 1970's. The result is a history of a fascinating woman at a fascinating time. LOVELY ME is a lovely read.

Lovely Me

Jacqueline Suzanne invented the way that books are publicized today and for that alone, this book is worth the read. But there's much, much more. She was on the scene when television invented itself, and therein lies another fascinating tale. And along the way, she invented herself. Jackie hobnobbed with and had affairs with the rich and famous and > leaves no stone unturned in this realm. Seaman's list of acknowledgements is a veritable who's who in popular culture, including many well-known feminists, as well as such luminaries as Isaac Asimov, Rex Reed, Barbara Walters and John Lennon. Famous names keep popping up all over the place, reminding us that we are reading a biography and not a fantastical romance. In the end, Jackie wrote about what she knew--the sex, the booze and pills, and clawing for fame, security, and recognition. Perhaps Jackie herself, summed it up best: "Yea, I think I'll be remembered...I think I'll be remembered as the voice of the 1960s...Andy Warhol, the Beatles, and me..."

finally, a glimpse at the real woman

i have read and thoroughly enjoyed jacqueline susann's books since i was 13 (20 years), but i never really thought much about the woman who wrote them. it is safe to say that jackie susann was ahead of her time, as "valley of the dolls" and "once is not enough" would be thought of as very tame in todays jaded society. she was a breath of fresh air. Ms Seaman's book dug deep and got to the woman who was determined to be a star, one way or another!!! when jackie didnt make it as an actress, she picked up her pen and attacked the literary world as if it were hollywood itself. this is a wonderful read, and i loved it! enjoyable for even non-jackie fans.

Reading This Bio Once is Not Enough!

God, I love this book. Not necessarily being a fan of Susann's (I've never read her novels), I found Seaman's biography to be a beautifully written, impeccably researched psychological study. The book feels like two books: first, we get the psycho-drama that was Susann's life, which is rendered with an extremely perceptive soap operatic flair; next, we get deep, deep dish on the ups and downs of the publishing world, particularly Susann's singleminded approach to selling her books...and herself. You'll be fascinated by Susann and repulsed by her. This is the *best* biography I've ever read.