Every Night, Josephine!

by Jacqueline Susann

Every Night, Josephine!, originally published in 1963, may not have nearly as much pill-popping and sex as Valley of the Dolls, the book that made its author a sensation. But it is definitely Jacqueline Susann all the way—witty and full of dead-on observations.

After exploring the crazy world of pedigree dogs, Susann finally acquires a magnificent poodle, Josephine. The pampered poodle soon secures the dominant role in this budding relationship—and as our hirsute heroine dances through a ballet of network TV appearances, sidewalk encounters with Garbo, and doggy-bags from Sardi’s, even Susann’s dog-hating husband submits to her canine charms. Fans of Jacqueline Susann, kitsch lovers, and pet pamperers alike will be helpless to resist this laugh- out-loud classic.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Memoir, Biography, Humor, Dogs, Classics

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Jacqueline Susann was one of the most successful writers in the history of American publishing. Her first novel, Valley of the Dolls, published in 1966, is one of the best-selling books of all time. When The Love Machine was published in 1969, it too became an immediate #1 bestseller and held that position for five months. When Once is Not Enough was published in 1973, it also moved to the top of the best-seller list and established Jackie as the first novelist in history to have three consecutive #1 books on The New York Times Best Seller list. She was a superstar, and became America's first brand-name author.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the only book I've read by Susann (horrors!) I remember reading this book as a teenager, and it was such a lovely read! If you like books about dogs, this book is definitely a cozy read!

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will forever be etched in my brain!

My mom gave me this book when I was in 2nd grade. I have very vivid memories of the book and probably remember it as being much better than it actually is because it caused a big controversy.

I went to grades 1-7 at Anshe Emet here in Chicago, which is a Jewish parochial school. I always brought my books in to school so I could read them during my free time, or on the bus, but when my teacher saw this book she accused me of reading smut - loudly and in front of my entire class. I tried to tell her that the book was about Jacqueline Susann's poodle, but she was having none of that and dragged me to the principle

The principle took it even worse than my teacher, so they called my mother and requested that she come to pick me up. During the entire time I kept trying to tell them to look at the book for themselves to see what it was about, but they were so sure that I had made off with one of my mom's smut books, and that Jacqueline Susann couldn't possibly write anything that wasn't smut that they wouldn't even look at it.

Fortunately my mom let them have it when she got there. Yes, she HAD given it to me, and yes, I WAS telling them the truth about the content of the book.

I think the most unbelievable thing to them was that I was voraciously reading full length novels written for adults in 2nd grade. I know I read a lot of mom's novels during that time, along with more age-appropriate fair like The Hobbit, LOTR, Chronicles of Narnia and Piers Anthony. I also read books on early Judeo-Christian history, Egyptian history and many natural history books.

I still have sweet memories of this book. Jacqueline painted a very sweet portrait of her life in Manhattan with her husband and their toy poodle Josephine. I doubt it's a book I would seek out as an adult, but it was a great story for me at the time and I enjoyed it greatly.

[Galadrielė · Rating 3 out of 5]

First time reading 3/5
Second time reading 2.75/5

1. Humor wasn't the best.
2. Quite absurd main character and her thoughts.
3. Plot wasn't so interesting to me either.

I would say it's an average book.

[Diane Wilkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this when I was a young girl of about seven or eight, and I re-read it multiple times, as was my wont. It is the story of a sophisticated NYC actress and her beloved miniature black french poodle, Josephine. When my family took me to Stouffers one day, Jacqueline Susann was eating lunch there with her husband. My aunt noticed and said she was there, and I got very excited, because I knew she had written this book that I had read more than once. My aunt encouraged me to go over and tell her.

When I did, I told her how much I loved her book, not stating the name. She was very gracious. Her husband looked at me in a kind of horror and said, "Which book?" I replied, "Every Night, Josephine!" and he kind of calmed down. I said, "You've written another book? I will read it!" He didn't look happy.

A friend of mine on FB recently posted about Jacqueline Susann and it reminded me of the book and the memory, and I read it again today. It's still very charming and way-too-sophisticated for a seven year old, but I remembered it vividly, anticipating lines and stories, like the one of Moppet, Josephine's friend-poodle who had a wild week in the country with Jackie Gleason and ended up pregnant by a collie Jackie was sure was a female because it had long hair.

If you love poodles, it's a story you should probably search out. It took me back to another time, another place, another life.

[Asta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linksma bei lengva knyga apie šuns ir šeimininko bendravimą ir gyvenima kartu

[Melinda Worfolk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was a kid and loved it. I remember my parents (who were never the type to prevent me from reading adult books) asking me what it was about with slightly worried expressions on their faces--I realize now that it was because they associated Jacqueline Susann with The Valley of the Dolls, not exactly appropriate for children! But they relaxed after I told them it was the story of an elegant lady and her very nice poodle.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a kid, and still love it today. It is sweet and funny, and a nice light read when you don't want to read anything really deep. Jacqueline Susann always said that this was her favourite book that she wrote. It's one of those books that I have enjoyed reading on more than one occasion.

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The author truly loved this little dog she writes about. Being a dog lover myself I thoroughly enjoyed her tales of how tiny little Josephine won over the hearts of everyone she met.

[Jurga Jurgita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peržvelgusi pastaruoju metu savo skaitomų knygų sąrašą, apėmė toks įdomus jausmas, kad paskutiniu metu skaitau tokias knygas, kurios yra skirtos vaikams arba tai knygos apie gyvūnus. Matyt tapus Mama tas jausmas sustiprėja ir norisi būtent tokios literatūros, kurioje gausu gėrio, švelnumo, tyros meilės, gerumo, šilumos, kuria taip norisi dalytis su kitais žmonėmis. Dar prieš gerą mėnesį lankydamasi bibliotekoje, pasiėmiau šią Jacqueline Susann knygą "Kiekvieną naktį, Džozefina". Nesu aš didelė šuniukų gerbėja, bet norėjosi tikros istorijos apie gyvūnus, kur galėčiau linksmai pasijuokti iš kurioziškų situacijų ar tiesiog nubraukti ir vieną kitą ašarą. Ši knyga tai pačios autorės memuarai apie sudėtingą ir sunkiai perprantamą veislinių bei kilmingų šunų pasaulį. Jacqueline įsigyja nuostabią pudeliukę, kuri daro vis didesnę įtaką jos gyvenimui ir santykiams su vyru. Autorė būdama žymia Brodvėjaus persona ryžosi žaižaruojančiu sąmoju, verčiančiu balsu kvatotis, papasakoti apie tikrojo Manhatano aristokratų gyvenimo peripetijas. Nors pirmasis romano leidimas išleistas 1963 metais, tačiau knygoje netrūksta garsių to meto pavardžių. Viena iš tokių - Greta Garbo, kurios dėmesį užkariavo autorės numylėtinė pudeliukė Džozefina. Būtų galima teigti, kad tai šuo, kuris sulaukė didelio dėmesio ne tik iš žmonių, bet ir iš televizijos. Skaitydama netgi juokiausi balsu, nes buvo tokių vietų, kur tiesiog juoktis tyliai buvo tiesiog neįmanoma. Smagi, šmaikšti, žaisminga istorija, kurią perskaičius nusišypsai prisiminus vieną kitą juokingą knygos eilutę ar pastraipą. Tai tik dar kartą patvirtina tą faktą, kad gyvūnai tikrai keičia mūsų gyvenimus iš pagrindų ir kad vienaip ar kitaip mes jiems paklūstame.

[camila galmés · Rating 4 out of 5]

me encanto, me pareció un libro muy lindo y que te deja pensando en el amor hacia otra criatura.

me parece muy tierna la idea del libro sobre josephine, asi como josephine en si. la relación de jacqueline y irving que dejan ver en el libro me parece igual muy tierna

obviamente termine llorando, porque la verdad me gusto demasiado el libro

lo unico que me disgusto un poco es que en la mitad me aburrió un poco y lo deje un poco se lado, pero después lo retome y me volví a enganchar. otra cosa que me disgusto fue que todo el libro se hablara de su dieta, aunque tambien entiendo que es algo extremadamente marcador en la vida de una persona, asi como en la vida de josephine

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mano pirma skaityta šios autorės knyga - jos šuniuko biografija. Dar nebuvau skaičiusi šuns biografijos. Ir šiaip jokio kito gyvūno 😅

Vis dar negaliu patikėti, kad gali būti ir smagu, ir įdomu skaityti šuns biografiją. Ta prasme taigi čia šuo. O bet tačiau įtraukė, sudomino, prajuokino, pralinksmino. Tikrai kažkas unikalaus 👌

[Paul Gaya Ochieng Simeon Juma · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was something wonderful about this book. Especially towards the end. I have read 'Valley of the dolls' by the same author. Unlike 'Valley of the dolls', the present book is non-fiction. Josephine is Jacqueline Susan's poodle. Let me pause first and take that in. Yes, this novel is about a dog named Josephine. Sounds too materialistic. in fact, one may wonder, why it is necessary to take in and pursue a novel about dogs. I am still agonising over this question.

[Luca Muresan · Rating 2 out of 5]

i like the way jacqueline susann writes and this is well written as usual, otherwise i would have stopped reading it due to how repetitive and boring it got after the first few chapters

[Samantha Sly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel the need to at the very least say here that her consistent inability to spell "parti" (as in particolor "patched" poodle coloration--technically disallowed by AKC standards but allowed in UKC shows, if you're low on dog trivia today) drove me effing nuts. The author was rather fond of gushing over how much she adored the nearby male "pari" poodle (...just...y'know...not enough to ever even once investigate how to actually spell or pronounce it, apparently) and every time it was like nails on a chalkboard, leaving me wondering what else they didn't bother to do even the most cursory of research on. And this was someone who was considering breeding her poodle?! I am honestly so very glad they did not... That's the real sticking point at which ditzy ignorance crosses the line from "cute" to "borderline-criminal," in my mind. Dog overpopulation was almost certainly not as well-known at the time this book was written, but even with that caveat it seemed to me that Josephine's owners ought to have been smart enough to acknowledge their own lack of basic dog knowledge as too inadequate to even think about breeding, even if most of the rest of the book's little anecdotes were more cute or sweet.

It wasn't a terrible book otherwise, really, but as a Certified Dog Nerd that particular bit really stuck in my craw as the single most stand-out part of the entire book compared to the oodles of other random doggy things I've read. ;) Most authors at least educate themselves enough not to come across as complete idiots, especially if they're gushingly obsessing over a particular coloration of a particular breed. Overall though I'd probably suggest reading Margo Kaufman's funnier "Clara" or any number of others over this book. Louise Shattuck's "From Riches to Bitches" is also a favorite of mine, more deeply steeped in knowledge of dogs and shows but also doing a much better job of poking fun at her own obsession in the bargain.

[CmPete Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loaned this book to a friend in high school. Her mother phoned mine - she was outraged that I was sharing such 'trash'. My mother said 'Just read it yourself, and see what you think.' Mrs B. read the book and loved it. It isn't the expected late 60's racy romance - but a delightful account of an eccentric poodle. Some of the names are rather dated now, but the antics of Josie and company are jsut as amusing now...I still giggle over the quandy of collecting a urine sample...

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full Review: http://heathersreadinghideaway.blogsp...

Quick review: I loved this story. It's so charming, and as a poodle owner/lover all of Josephine's personality reminded me so much of my own poodle. The writing is great and easy to read. I thought the interactions with Jacqueline and her husband Irving were also really adorable. Highly recommended to any animal lover.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute. It's funny to see how Jacqueline Susann and her high society friends in the 60's treat their dogs and pamper them. I guess if you live in a fancy hotel, you order room service for your dog's meals...?

[Jess Sweetman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacqueline Susann was to literature what fluffy leopard print slippers are to feet. Frivolous? Yes. Pointless? Maybe. But who gives a shit as all you need is something downright fabulous. Jackie Collins is a hack. Long live Jacqueline Susann.

[Harini Gopalswami Srinivasan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Put your mattresses down on the floor so you won't injure yourself ROFLing! Every dog lover will identify with the hilarious adventures of Josephine's humans.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I remember this was a rather charming and funny read, and much different than the wonderfully trashy fiction Susann is noted for, but great nonetheless.

[Kimberly Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first real adult book, I read it when I was 10...I loved it. Still have a copy on my bookshelf

[W · Rating 1 out of 5]

Picked it up out of sheer curiosity,It was written by the author of Valley of the Dolls.So bad I had to throw it away.

[Sohini Bagchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every Night, Josephine must be one of the best works of Jacqueline Susann - - witty and full of practical observations. After exploring the crazy world of pedigree dogs, Susann finally acquires a magnificent poodle, whom she named Josephine. She went on convincing her husband it was a good idea and the subsequent years living with what is basically a furry child. Along the way we can read about how not to get a sample of pee for the vet, how some lucky people in upstate New York met Jackie Gleason, how Lastone Hershkowitz got her unconventional name. Quite humorous in places, touching in others.

[Agnė | laikas knygai · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐
Knyga mano norimų perskaityti knygų sąraše atsidūrė po to kai Knygų dama ją išgyrė, o atėjo metas paimti į rankas dėl vasara su knyga užduoties perskaityti knygą apie žmogaus ryšį su gyvūnu.
Knyga nuotaikinga, lengvai skaitėsi, buvo epizodų, kur šyptelėjau, pakikenau sau, bet dar daugiau buvo vietų, kai pykau, nes nesupratau tokios šeimininkų "meilės" šuniui, na, ir kalbu ne apie tai, kad šuo čia pasaulio centras, deja, kalbu apie šeimininkų požiūrį į augintinio sveikatą. Vis dėlto, laikas su knyga neprailgo, rekomenduoju visiems, neabejingiems ne tik pudeliams, bet apskritai šunims.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. I was chatting with a friend about "Valley of the Dolls" by Jacqueline Susann and she told me to read this book. Out of print and hard to find, but well worth the search. It was a wonderful story of Jacqueline's story of adopting a dog. It was hysterical, laugh out loud funny. If you like dogs and/or 1960s NYC, you will love this book!

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was in middle school way back when, and loved it. My mom told me it was funny and smart, and she was right! The author wrote Valley of the Dolls, which I also read (stole it from my mom's nightstand), but this is a sweet and hilarious memoir of life with a dog, a husband, and an array of movie stars, playwrights, agents, and sycophants.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an older book, but a really good, funny book about the author's poodle, Josephine. It made me feel good reading it! We need a laugh once in a while. Of course, Ms. Susann wrote some good books in her day! I think this was her first. It's a short read so go ahead and put it on your TBR list. I had to find it on eBay.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked the book because Jacqueline Susann is an entertaining writer. The book is sweet and funny. Plus I like it because it evokes the 1950's era. And I like the book is about a dog and yet has a happy ending.

[Cats 274 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every dog owner should read this book, and every poodle owner should have it.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this some time ago...