Kilgallen: A Biography of Dorothy Kilgallen
by Lee Israel
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Book Summary Information
Author: Lee IsraelEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Published)
Published: 1979
ISBN: 0440045223
Number of pages: 485
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Reviews of Kilgallen: A Biography of Dorothy Kilgallen
Book Review: Ms. Kilgallen Shouldn't Be Relegated to a Lost Cause.
Summary: 4 Stars
Upon reading this book I came to find a few facts for myself. First, Ms. Kilgallen was quite fond of "stirring the proverbial pot" back in a day when such stirring was hardly acceptable. For this she should be rendered a pioneer of such journalistic endeavors, not the wicked stepdaughter she is, sadly, left to memory. In truth, this book reveals a tough-as-nails reporter that was vying ever-diligently to live up to her father's name and image while carving her own niche.
At a time when women were scarcely known to venture out of the home, Dorothy Kilgallen was honing skills as a writer and reporter, covering such events as the Sam Shepard trial and Grace Kelly's regal wedding and hosting her own "Voice of Broadway" column for many years in New York City. More than a TV personality and columnist, she was an icon to many an aspiring writer of both sexes; the shame of ti is that no one seems to pay her such a compliment. She was to females of the journalistic world what Deborah Harry and Madonna were and are for women in music - an innovator who kicked open doors and let her talent and drive lead her to unimagined and wondrous heights.
One gets a deep glimpse into her private life, which, as "friend" Johnny Ray oft said, is where the real Dorothy Kilgallen emerges as a soft, loving and emotionally-fragile woman searching for the perfect life in a sea of imperfectness. Further, she seems the type of woman you'd like to love and shield from the world, a far cry from her icy persona on "What's My Line?". The book makes use of her seemingly-perfect marriage by exposing it for what it really was: a fairy tale with a sorrowed span. The famous feuds with Sinatra, Paar, Gardner, a bevy of journalists and writers alike are also touched upon, as is the infamous Jack Ruby interview and her untimely death, making this not only an interesting read but essential one to find the real Dorothy. Trust me, she was worth "meeting".
I've seen it said that Lee Israel's diction is often overpowering, inducing a difficult read, though I don't see it that way. While some phrases and words definitely left my general scope in spots it did little to ruin an otherwise terrific reading experience. I feel it's certainly worth your money and time.
Dorothy Kilgallen may have been a lot of things, good and bad, to a great many persons through her life, but one thing's certain - she was far more interesting inside and out rather than simply the latter.
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