Into The ‘Valley’
Yesterday was a gloriously do nothing day for me. Because of all the running around that I’ve been doing the past few weeks, it was very nice to not have to do a single thing … at all. I toyed with the idea of seeing a movie but, to be honest, I had a hard time getting off the couch. I watched some TV and really put a dent in Valley of the Dolls, the book that I am currently reading:
I have been trying to read this book for the past few weeks, well … for the past few years! It’s been on my book pile forever and I finally got around to reading it. I cannot believe how much I love it. The prose is so well-written, it’s very easy to just get lost in the story. I’m still very early in but I can already understand why this classic book has remained a cult classic for decades.
Tonight The Turtle Party: Book Club meets after much delay … we will FINALLY be discussing Good Omens and should be deciding which book to read next. To be honest, it’ll be great to see the Turtle Party folks again … it’s been too long.
Tags: 'Valley of the Dolls'
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September 22nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
OMG this is a MUST read for anyone! The movie is just as great…sharon tate’s last movie I believe before being killed by Manson. I got caught at ripe age of 12 checking out from the library. my mom scolded me, took me back inside and scolded the person that checked it out to me ;-) I still read it just she didn’t know it and just fell in LOVE….
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
@Cynthia — LOVE your story! I deffo will watch the movie after I finish the book :) xoxoxoxo
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
total old school!
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I love this book. Definitely one of my favorites. Also, if you see the re-release of the movie from a couple of years ago, Ted Casablance, who writes The Awful Truth on Eonline, does some commentary. Fabulous.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Whoops, I mean Ted CasablancA.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I’m Neely O’Hara bitches believe.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I just re-read this book a few months ago. I loved it more the second time! such a great read. I’m excited to hear about what you think about the rest of the book :)
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:06 pm
It took me months to get through Valley of the Dolls! Its actually a great read, but a slow start. However I do have to disagree with Cynthia, i’ve seen the movie, and in my opinion it is HILARIOUSLY bad!! Patty Duke specifically… i know that seems a little off, but man o man, one of the worst movies ever made!
And the theme song makes random appearances throughout, it’s like every 15 minutes or so someone said “ok, time to put the Dionne Warwick theme song in again!”.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I remember trying to find the book after catching the movie on TV. I called all over trying to find it and ended up in some used bookstore in a bad part of town just to get it. It’s so fab.
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
I LOVE the book. Her other ones aren’t bad either. The movie is horribly good, it’s so bad its great. Then roger ebert did ‘beyond the valley of the dolls’ screenplay that was scandalously, if thats a word, good.
September 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 pm
I read this book when I was about 14, and I’ve recently started to reread it again and I love it just as much now as I did then! I can’t wait for you to finish reading it! It’s amazing!!
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
It didnt take me long to read this, cos i really loved it!!! great read trent, so glad that i saw this on your blog, its such a good book!!
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:01 pm
OMG! Best. Movie. EVER.
It is so terrible and wonderful and melodramatic (”Neely? Neely?! NEELY?!!!!” in the pouring rain). Good God, I love it so much, I cannot even explain. I must read the book.
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
OMG if you love Valley of the Dolls, you should also read “Once Is Not Enough”. They made a move of that one, too, but the book is definitely Susann’s best. “The Love Machine” is also really good.
Love your blog, btw. I’ve read it for years and this is my first comment!
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Hey! Great book, hey? I agree – Once is not Enough and The Love Machine are also great! So is Every Night Josephine (about the exploits of her poodle).
The movie is classic. “Beyond The Valley of the Dolls” is also interesting… but even “campier” than the original!
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Loved the book. Hated the movie. I love all of Jacqueline Suzanne’s books. They’re all somewhat the same concept and the others aren’t nearly as great as this book, but they all give you this glamorous world to get lost in for a while.
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you posting these book recommendations. I’m always looking for interesting books to read, and I know from reading this blog that I can trust your taste. So… THANKS, TRENT! Don’t stop updating us on your recent reads!
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
This is quite possibly one of my favorite books ever written! The film is terrible and definitely doesn’t do the book justice! Hope you enjoyed it!
September 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Amazing book. I new nothing about it until I read it and it is one of my top 3 favs now. I haven’t seen the movie yet but hope to soon.
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I was actually named after Neely O’hara in this movie!! My mom was a total Valley of the Dolls fan!! :)
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:48 am
DO NOT see the movie- it is just about terrible. Sharon Tate is beautiful though. Like Kelly, this book is one of my top 3. There’s a sequel to the book, “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.” Apparently Jacqueline Susann started to write it, but it was finished by another author. The book is OK. It’s a shorter read- it’s worth it if you are between reads…
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I read this book when I was a kid (a precocious kid, LOL). It led to my reading ALL of Jacqueline Susann’s books…I think I still have them all in boxes…but they’re mass market paperbacks (the small ones) and in pretty bad shape. Oh yeah, The Love Machine was great…not a happy story. Once is Not Enough was my fav I think. Yargo was odd.. and I think it’s hard to find today. What was the one based on Jaqueline and Ari Onassis? I’ll have to look it up..
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Dolores is the one based on Jackie Kennedy marrying Ari Onassis (allegedly). Btw, amazon sellers and I’m sure ebay too, do have a variety of her old books. Not too hard to find. I checked it out.
Trent, you’re making me want to read all these oldies!
After Jacqueline Susann, I moved on to The Insiders by Rosemary Rogers (very racy, lol) and Harold Robbins’ books…Sidney Sheldon…Jackie Collins. Oh yeah, I loved me some trashy books as a child :)
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
you have to watch the movie and let yourself be taken away from the glossy crap that is put out nowadays. its SO damn campy – its priceless….sorry yes its a great movie. So much about it I just cant even list them all. and beyond just as campy too.
course after J. Susann, moved onto S. Sheldon, caught many times w/J. Collins and course anyone remember Judy Blume’s adult series!!?!?!
if you watch the movie…just let yourself get transported back to that era….Tate was / is goddess. You cant say Mommy Dearest is crap either…its about the era (think how far its come…lol) now I would die screaming if anyone tried to re-make it either..just not the same.
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
i love the book, had no idea it was a movie too!! must invite the girls over for some VERY strong martinis to watch… no “dolls” though, thats so not very healthy!
im super happy you are reading it! there is a sequel to it also, not as good, but if you get caught up in the era, there is nothing better!
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 pm
TRENT! Cult classic, yes, but good prose????
C’mon, you gotta do some real reading, so you can discern the difference between literature and pulpy, saccharine, overblown language! You are generally fairly literate on the blog (although you are prone to questionable word choices and improper use of colloquialisms i.e today, KFed story, it’s sad SACK not sad SAP — sorry, I’m a copy editor). But love you anyway — just begging, please broaden your reading horizons!
September 24th, 2009 at 1:22 am
I read that book a few years ago and I couldn’t put it down! Never seen the movie but I don’t think I will.