This Crazy Thing Called Love, by Susan Braudy
I am a big fan of Dominick Dunne's writing. I've read every book he's every published and I look forward to his column every month in Vanity Fair magazine.
One of my favorites of his books is The Two Mrs. Grenvilles. The novel is loosely based on what was at the time called The Shooting Of The Century, the killing of the very rich, very social Billy Woodward by his wife, the former showgirl who claimed she mistook him for a prowler.
This Crazy Thing Called Love is the real story the novel is based on. It's an absolutely fascinating look inside the world of the very wealthy. Billy's family owned the very successful racehorse, Nashua and although Billy never really worked before, he did take over the horse farm and was serious about making a name for himself in the high stake world of thoroughbred racing.
His wife, Ann, was from Nowheresville in Kansas and had suffered a very disrupted chaotic childhood. She was very bright and beautiful though and was determined to better herself. She moved to New York, dreaming of becoming an actress. She did land some gigs as a showgirl and in radio, at one point being named the Most Beautiful Girl In Radio.
I don't want to give away all the twists and turns because this is really a book worth reading, even without the crime aspect. There is all kinds of insight and scoop on the very wealthy and it's filled with photos of many of the main players. The sociological aspect alone is incredible. Truman Capote and The Duchess of Windsor are but two well-know figures who wander through at various times. (NOTE: If you ever had any doubt whatsoever that Truman Capote was an evil queen, this book will banish that notion permanently.)
This is a great beach book too, in a can't put it down sort of way and hey! You'll look much more intelligent reading this at the beach than if you were reading Tom Clancy or Danielle Steele!
I just ordered that book used on Amazon. I'll never find it at my library, and I need some "poolside" books to keep me company this summer.
I look forward to reading it! Thanks for the recommendation.
Posted by: loretta | June 04, 2006 at 10:22 AM