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
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