Mae West: She Who Laughs, Lasts

American Biographical History Series

by June Sochen

Written by a foremost authority on popular culture, Mae "She Who Laughs, Lasts" is a biographical study of a very popular, even legendary, twentieth-century figure that places her in the larger context of the changing times spanned by her fifty-year career. West's life and work offer information and insight into women's history as well as the history of popular culture. Her experiences as an independent woman with bold views of women's sexuality were a kind of barometer of America's changing values. Financially independent and generally unattached, she offered women an unusual model for life. Her celebrity status gave her public exposure beyond the expectations or desires of most entertainers. Her struggle with censorship provided a continuing public stage for her as an individual of indomitable will. As a writer and performer, Mae West was well ahead of her time.

165 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[Stella]

One of the coolest people ever

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this slender book. For someone who spent nearly 70 years in the entertainment business, this is a narrow view of Mae West’s life. This iconic entertainer segued from child vaudeville star, to night clubs, to the beginnings of Broadway, to film, radio, and television. Unfortunately either Mae West lived a shallow, one dimensional life or this author offered a narrow version of her life. West was a bawdy sexpot. That’s what is illustrated on every page - all 150 pages.

Not only are we offered a small amount of facts regarding West’s life, the writing is repetitive, and by that I mean use and reuse (to exhaustion) of the same phrases, clauses, and whole sentences throughout the book. At one point I thought I had misplaced my bookmark and was reading a previously read chapter.

The only upside to this book for me was the inclusion of details regarding the early days of the emergence of Broadway and critical individuals who made it what it is today.

West’s 80 years of life and nearly 70 years of active entertainment should have provided more than what is presented here.

#Disappointment