Dorothy Parker, What Fresh Hell Is This?

Rating:
Summary: Reads and Reveals like an Autobiography
Review: The reader must approach this amazing biography with an open mind in order to truly comprehend the life of Dorothy Parker. Ms. Parker was a rebel of her time: she scoffed at the traditional housewife, laughed and exceeded men's expectations of women, and turned society on its ear with her personality. She questioned the preconditioned male society around her to create a world only she could ultimately live in (true to the subtitle of this book). Meade provides Dorothy's story with a writing style that compliments Dorothy in many ways. Meade captures Dorothy's sense of humor, self-destructiveness, and self-hatred beautifully. In a sense, this biography parallels Dorothy's short stories and poems . . . Meade remembers Dorothy for who she was and the struggles she endured.

Rating:
Summary: Reads and Reveals like an Autobiography
Review: The reader must approach this amazing biography with an open mind in order to truly comprehend the life of Dorothy Parker. Ms. Parker was a rebel of her time: she scoffed at the traditional housewife, laughed and exceeded men's expectations of women, and turned society on its ear with her personality. She questioned the preconditioned male society around her to create a world only she could ultimately live in (true to the subtitle of this book). Meade provides Dorothy's story with a writing style that compliments Dorothy in many ways. Meade captures Dorothy's sense of humor, self-destructiveness, and self-hatred beautifully. In a sense, this biography parallels Dorothy's short stories and poems . . . Meade remembers Dorothy for who she was and the struggles she endured.

Rating:
Summary: Those were the days
Review: This is a vivid well written book about the life and times of legendary wit and wordsmith Dorothy Parker. Marion Meade gives the reader a colorful view of that boozy, eccentric group The Algonquin Round Table of which Dorothy was the reigning "femme fatale". Parker's life as portrayed here was not an easy one being as it was plagued by alcoholism, emotional agonies and literary output of uneven quality. This book expertly depicts an era that has passed and some of those names who made it notable.

Rating:
Summary: Well done.
Review: This is an excellent biography and a great introduction to the life of Parker. And what a character she was--could ANYONE be bored reading this?

Rating:
Summary: Well done.
Review: This is an excellent biography and a great introduction to the life of Parker. And what a character she was--could ANYONE be bored reading this?

Rating:
Summary: Terrific!
Review: This is one of the best biographies I have ever read. It flows beautifully & gives full credit to the remarkable life Mrs. Parker lead. Thank you Ms. Meade!

Rating:
Summary: Like watching a train wreck
Review: This is one of the most engaging biographies I have ever read. Whether or not you are a Parker fan, this is a fascininating look at her life. I didn't know too much about her life prior to reading Meade's book, other than the common info about her drinking and suicide attempts. Everytime Parker headed for disaster, I wanted to shout "what were you thinking" but then her life wouldn't have been so memorable. This book is also a very interesting look at society and the role of women in publishing in the 1920s-1940s. Reading this biography will give any reader a greater understanding of Parker's work.

Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: Work that is tip-top and about time, too. It's interesting that Meade is nearly able to mask the dog-like labor that has gone into this product with a magnificent matter-of-factness. Very Mrs. Parker; hoorah in every sense.