In a nutshell, 'Valley of the Dolls' is a cult classic that follows the lives and intertwining friendships of three women living in old Hollywood from 1945-1965.- Anne, the pretty New England lady, who works as a secretary for a theatrical lawyer and becomes the famous face for a cosmetic line - and whose love life has many letdowns.
- Jennifer is the busty showgirl, who starts her career in films, albeit nudie films!
- vaudeville star Neely O'Hara becomes a famous singing sensation, only to fall into a downward spiral of drinking and drugs. She thinks nothing of popping 6 'dolls' a day - in other words, pills. And Neely certainly isn't the only character who falls under the spell of the 'dolls....'
Abortion, cancer, drug addiction, lesbian affairs, suicide and cosmetic surgery - the book is riddled with scandal and gossip. Over the course of twenty years, the story tells of the three women reaching their height of fame, and of their ultimate self destruction.
A MUST READ for any lovers of Hollywood's Broadway and silver screen era, for those who love a trashy gossip read - yet one that is poignant and all too real at times.
A year after the novel was released, an American film based on the book was released... see below:
