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Title details for Dorothy Parker in Hollywood by Gail Crowther - Available

Dorothy Parker in Hollywood

by Gail Crowther
Samantha Desz
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
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An expansive, illuminating, and "welcome addition to understand" (Shelf Awareness) the legendary writer Dorothy Parker, this unique biography explores her life and legacy in Hollywood—from the author of the "fascinating" (Town & Country) Three Martini Afternoons at the Ritz.
The glamorous extravagances and devasting lows of her time in Hollywood are revealed as never before in this "ambitious, thoughtfully researched" (Kirkus Reviews) biography of Dorothy Parker—from leaving New York City to work on numerous classic screenplays such as the 1937 A Star Is Born to the devastation of alcoholism, a miscarriage, and her husband's suicide. Parker's involvement with anti-fascist and anti-racist groups, which led to her ultimate blacklisting, and her early work in the civil rights movement that inspired her to leave her entire estate to the NAACP are also explored as never before.

"Briskly detailed, fluently insightful, and dramatically reorienting" (Booklist, starred review), Dorothy Parker in Hollywood brings the iconic writer back to life on the page in all her wit, grit, and brilliance.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    October 15, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781797185330
      • File size: 224724 KB
      • Duration: 07:48:10

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      March 1, 2025

      Crowther (Three-Martini Lunches at the Ritz) vividly explores Dorothy Parker's complex love/hate relationship with Hollywood in this biography, which spans Parker's entire life but places particular emphasis on her Hollywood years. Despite her frequent well-documented complaints about Hollywood, Parker spent over three decades writing for the film industry, earning substantial financial rewards that fueled her extravagant lifestyle. Hollywood served as both a source of frustration and a platform for her political activism while also reflecting her unrooted, self-destructive habits--marked by heavy drinking and brutal critiques of those around her. Yet, amid the chaos, Parker maintained a focus on social injustice and supporting left-leaning causes. Narrator Samantha Desz enhances this biography with a warm and engaging tone that beautifully captures Parker's complexities. Desz's narration exudes an authentic and intimate quality, as though a close friend is recounting the life of a brilliant but challenging figure. Her nuanced performance allows listeners to connect deeply with both Parker's genius and her flaws, and this makes for a compelling listening experience. VERDICT The thorny, enigmatic Parker is a great subject, and Crowther's flawlessly narrated account is recommended for any audio biography collection.--Christa Van Herreweghe

      Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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