First and foremost I’d like to thank NetGalley and the
publisher for handing me this ARC in exchange for an honest review, so without
further ado...
SCANDALOUS WOMEN is my introduction to Gill Paul’s work even though I already own many novels by her (yes, you can say that I’m a bookaholic). The reason I chose this one is quite simple. It’s all about my two favorite Js: Jacqueline and Jackie. Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins, that is. Yes, both women are featured in this historical fiction novel that begins when VALLEY OF THE DOLLS is about to get published. From then on the reader meets budding novelist Jackie Collins married to her first but troubled husband and fictitious Nancy White who ends up working for Jacqueline Susann’s publisher Bernard Geis. Like in Valley, each chapter is focused separately on a main character.
The trio eventually meet but the story really centers around
the relationship between Susann and White (while struggling Collins tries to finish
her first novel in the UK), which is fine in itself as it keeps reality (Susann
and VALLEY OF THE DOLLS) and fiction (White’s advocating the novel) bound
together. As soon as the story takes a turn to focus on Nancy’s unlucky love
life, however, SCANDALOUS WOMEN somehow
falters. Not as exciting, alas, and this reviewer ends up craving even more for
the two Js and their eventual fictitious meeting.
When it does happen, what’s thought to become addictive
ends up being only so-so. What the book may lack is a sooner approach to their get-together.
It takes pages and pages of biographical events before the ultimate crossing of
each other’s lives, and, in the long run, this overshadows any form of
excitement when we do get there.
Still, the author sure knows her subjects and the
narrative is solid enough (minus some anachronisms like one character punching
the air in happiness, an untypical move for the ‘60s era). I would say go for it, if you have yet seen
Collins excellent documentary LADY BOSS or read Barbara Seaman’s 1987 bio about
Jacqueline Susann called LOVELY ME. Other than that if your main goal is to
focus more on the fictitious character Nancy White then you will be served,
since her story does to a degree read like a Collins or Susann novel.
You can purchase SCANDALOUS WOMEN wherever books are sold.
Until next post—Martin
