Dear Pussycat : Mash Notes and Missives from the Desk of Cosmopolitan's Legendary Editor

Rating:
Summary: For real
Review: Being the proud recipient of several letters from Helen Gurley Brown myself, I can testify this is how she really writes letters to everyone, not just the rich and famous. I'm everyone, not rich, not famous. HGB's defining quality is her sheer enjoyment of life, of people, of being part of the daily drama/comedy/tragedy. She's also shiningly intelligent, highly creative and nobody's fool. I found the review comment about her sense of self-importance interesting because, in the letters she's sent to me, the sense is just the opposite. She's just one person responding to another in the most friendly, generous and genuine way. Few celebrities of her stature write anyone about anything; she not only writes but most personably and personally. I find it interesting that as she grows older she looks better, not worse. I think the secret there is that joy of life oozing to the surface. It can't be bought or faked. She's got it.

Rating:
Summary: a not so light hearted trifle
Review: Dear Pussycat is a collection of Helen Gurley Brown's letters over the decades. It was meant, I suppose to be light hearted, frothy peep into her life but it is nowhere near as charming as it is meant to be. As I read I found myself feeling increasingly annoyed with her and sadder for her sister Mary. What a trial it must have been to have a sister who apparently constantly reminded you and everyone else of your losses? Some of the letters are silly, others are catty and quite a few seemed to be included simply to settle old grudges. Oh well, different strokes for different folks: I just didn't like this one.

Rating:
Summary: An inspirational book
Review: It was very refreshing to read HGB's letters and her approach to many situations. For those of you who are intimidated to write notes or want to write to someone of star status, you may find this book will encourage you to put pen to paper. And for those Cosmo readers out there, you will gain more insights into to the great HGB.