I recently read the book “Valley of the Dolls” by Jacqueline Susann for my book club. It was an eye opener. The book takes place and was written in the 60′s. It discusses the lives of 3 women trying to make it in Hollywood. If there was no mention of money, you would never have guessed that this book was written back then. This book reminds of me of something Lauren Weisberger would write.
The story is about 3 women Anne, Neely and Jennifer, who desperately try and fit in, in Hollywood and in the end, end up losing who they are. They compromise who they are to try and fit in and to feel loved. Anne says that she would rather love someone than to be loved. The quote broke my heart. I don’t think that you should ever have one or the other. It should always be about being loved and loving someone. I was once told that I should find a man who loves me more than I love him. It’s disgusting actually and it would never work. My husband and I love each other equally. Loving someone and not being loved, is manipulative and desperate. In the end, Anne ends up suffering for believing in that.
The Valley of the Dolls brings to light the idea that money and fame can’t bring you happiness. It can’t and we see it time and time again. Look at all the famous and rich celebrities and how many of them are truly happy??? Look at Lindsay Lohan, is she happy? Poor Cory Monteith is also another example. He had everything going for him, money, fame, a hit show, a gorgeous girlfriend and it wasn’t enough.
I can see why this book is known as the “all time pop culture classic”. It transcends generations. It discusses themes that are relevant today and will continue to be relevant. It’s definitely a book that I would recommend that everyone reads. Too many of us look to celebrities and think their lives are perfect and that if we only had our 15 mins of fame, we could be happy. The truth is we don’t really know the “real” lives celebrities lead and we don’t know the demons that they fight.
Appearances are deceiving. Instead of focusing of what others have and what celebrities have and do, we should focus on making our lives better, because we all know that money does not buy you happiness.
What are your thoughts?
May this blog inspire you to read “Valley Of The Dolls” and to not idolize the lives of celebrities. At the end of the day they are also human like us. They may make millions, live in enormous houses and drive insanely expensive cars, but at the end of the day, they are just like us and have issues and battle demons just like us “normal folk”.
Happy Tuesday Everyone!!!!
