Valley of the Dolls

9 replies

TwinSetAndPearls · 07/09/2005 08:50

Is it just me loving the serialisation of Valley of the Dolls on Woman's Hour at the moment, a deliciousy trashy and naughty break in my morning.

Inspired me to buy the book which I read in two days. Was amused to see Julie Birchall had written the introduction.

A great read and gave my mother yet another chance to get on her high horse when she saw what I was reading. When I offered to lend it her she said
"No thanks, I don't read trash!!"

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spacedonkey · 07/09/2005 13:19

I'm loving it too! I haven't heard all of it, so I want to get hold of the book. Brilliantly trashy

Original poster

TwinSetAndPearls · 09/09/2005 00:37

Smiths and waterstones are stocking it due to the serialisation on R4.

I don;t have as much time as I would like for reading for pleasure due to my studies but am going to try and free time as I ahve rediscovered how much I like reading. Have a pile of books waiting for me and hvae joined the library for when I have finished my own books.

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flamesparrow · 09/09/2005 09:27

How is it I don't see Valley of the Dolls as trash?

My mum got it for me from a carboot sale years ago (I don't remember why I wanted it, think we'd discussed Judy Garland lots at the time)...

I guess thinking logically, it is trash, but I love it anyway

Marina · 09/09/2005 10:30

It's "important" trash though - like Peyton Place in its time too. By outing issues like extramarital sex and recreational drug use Jacqueline Susann did a lot of people a service.
A great precursor was Mary McCarthy's The Group btw - an honest and scathing look at how women graduates in 1930s New York successfully (or not) coped with marriage, infidelity, homosexuality, etc. Excellent. Your mum would love it TSAP.

hoxtonchick · 09/09/2005 10:32

oooh i've read all of those marina (peyton place at your suggestion!) - pp & votd are both published by virago now, so they are classy trash!

sansouci · 09/09/2005 11:31

Valley of the Dolls brilliant. Can't count it as trash cos it's quite well-written & typical of that time (late 60's). Not 1st class fiction but great escapism.

Original poster

TwinSetAndPearls · 09/09/2005 11:58

Are any of the others in the series worth a read?

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sansouci · 09/09/2005 12:07

I think so. I don't remember them although I did read all of Jaqueline Susann's when I was about 20 so they must have been good. Give them a try.

JoolsToo · 12/10/2005 01:01

Blimey I read this umpy-tumpty years ago - I did enjoy it.

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