Once Upon a Time: A True Story by Gloria Vanderbilt

by Gloria Vanderbilt

Genres: Memoir

Unknown Binding

Published August 23, 1985

About the author

Gloria Laura Vanderbilt was an American artist, author, actress, fashion designer, heiress, and socialite. She was a member of the Vanderbilt family of New York and the mother of CNN television anchor Anderson Cooper. Wikipedia

Gloria Laura Vanderbilt was the author of four memoirs and two novels. She contributed to various publications, including The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Elle, and has received two honorary Doctorates of Fine Arts. She lived in New York City.

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poor little rich girl! I did feel for Gloria who only wanted love, seemed to be ignored by her mother and guardian aunt, was somewhat used by her grandmother, and just wanted her old nanny. I can’t imagine how weird her childhood and custody trial would have been in the era of ubiquitous media. This was a pretty odd memoir, with the mixed up fuzzy memories from childhood. Worth reading as a weird experience but not great reading. I liked the photos of Gloria and her family.

[Rachel Dows · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a strange fever dream of a book. I wish it had been more autobiography, less stylized, but I understand her memory is also hazy, so perhaps this is the most fitting. The nicknames were a bit difficult to keep track of, and the pace was sometimes painfully slow, sometimes breakneck.

Certainly worth reading on my Vanderbilt kick, but I’ll likely never pick this one up again.