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Eat, Drink and Remarry: Confessions of a Serial Wife
Mr. Right #1: A financier who "did deals"
Mr. Right #2: A fourth-generation German-Jewish funeral director
Mr. Right #3: A handsome, Ivy League-educated, award-winning actor
Mr. Right #4: Dr. Perfect, a cardiothoracic surgeon (and the official keeper)
Being an advice columnist means you've heard it all. What it does not mean is that you get everything right in your own life. Margo Howard, better known as "Dear Prudence," then "Dear Margo," can testify to that. But before being a syndicated columnist, before writing for national magazines, before becoming an advice maven, Margo was the beloved only child of Jules Lederer, the founder of Budget Rent-a-Car, and Eppie Lederer-known to the world as "Ann Landers."
She was from a time and place where young women went to college and then got married. So that is what she did-and not just once.
EAT, DRINK AND REMARRY is the charming and candid memoir of a woman who goes from blushing bride to rice-scarred veteran. With wit, humor and twenty-twenty hindsight she reveals lessons learned from the men in her life. In a no-holds-barred account of the life she's lived there is confirmation that understanding love, and of course people, comes only when we're ready, and that sometimes it really is possible to start over and get things just right.
Mr. Right #2: A fourth-generation German-Jewish funeral director
Mr. Right #3: A handsome, Ivy League-educated, award-winning actor
Mr. Right #4: Dr. Perfect, a cardiothoracic surgeon (and the official keeper)
Being an advice columnist means you've heard it all. What it does not mean is that you get everything right in your own life. Margo Howard, better known as "Dear Prudence," then "Dear Margo," can testify to that. But before being a syndicated columnist, before writing for national magazines, before becoming an advice maven, Margo was the beloved only child of Jules Lederer, the founder of Budget Rent-a-Car, and Eppie Lederer-known to the world as "Ann Landers."
She was from a time and place where young women went to college and then got married. So that is what she did-and not just once.
EAT, DRINK AND REMARRY is the charming and candid memoir of a woman who goes from blushing bride to rice-scarred veteran. With wit, humor and twenty-twenty hindsight she reveals lessons learned from the men in her life. In a no-holds-barred account of the life she's lived there is confirmation that understanding love, and of course people, comes only when we're ready, and that sometimes it really is possible to start over and get things just right.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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October 17, 2014http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
Before you choose to read this Eat, Drink and Remarry: Confessions of a Serial Wife , read this article from the author about how people just don't 'get' her book...
Before you choose to read this Eat, Drink and Remarry: Confessions of a Serial Wife , read this article from the author about how people just don't 'get' her book...
not-for-me
October 20, 2014No thanks.
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
do-not-want
November 4, 2014I may have read this book, but going by some reviews I'm afraid it's just not my thing. Possibly b/c I'm a such a dim bulb. I don't know.
the-magic-8-ball-says-no
November 3, 2014The "Readers Also Enjoyed" list to the right is hilarious, assuming everyone sees the same thing I do. It includes:
Suicide Ride by E. Llewellyn
Vardin Village by Maggie Spence
The World Rose by Richard Brittain
My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse
Amulet of Elusion by Katie Lynn Johnson
Split River by Riley Hill
Transgression by Theo Fenraven
A Throne of Bones by Vox Day
Dance of the Goblins by Jaq D. Hawkins
Suicide Ride by E. Llewellyn
Vardin Village by Maggie Spence
The World Rose by Richard Brittain
My Splendid Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse
Amulet of Elusion by Katie Lynn Johnson
Split River by Riley Hill
Transgression by Theo Fenraven
A Throne of Bones by Vox Day
Dance of the Goblins by Jaq D. Hawkins
October 23, 2014
I knew I'd forgotten one.
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
September 2, 2016
I thought the title was brilliant, and I love funny, irreverent books. But this book became too hard to slog through at the halfway point. For one thing, you could make a drinking game out of every time Howard name-drops, and everyone in your book club would be smashed. And her tale of glitter and privilege is not one many can relate to. Since it isn't actually that funny, and it is annoying, why would you want to read it unless she's a personal friend? And if she is, she might have said something snarky about you in it!
whoopsie-daisies
October 21, 2014Stay classy.
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...
Want to read
August 17, 2015Until reading her response to unfavorable reviews in "Amazon's Elite Reviewing Club Sabotaged My Book" (October 16, 2014) in New Republic, I'd been looking forward to reading Margo Howard's book. Besides admiring her mother (best known as "Ann Landers") and aunt (best known as "Abigail Van Buren") as advice columnists, and her father (Julius Lederer) as a business man and innovator, I was curious about what someone with Ms. Howard's track record with marriages, and less than ideal relationships with her famous aunt and cousin (rival columnist Jeanne Phillips, who - like Margo - has taken over her mother's column), and women in general, as a "sisterhood", would share. I'd expected her to reveal self-awareness, self-deprecating wit, wisdom, lessons learned, cautionary advice, and interesting tidbits about her life having grown up in a family of competitive, successful strivers and advice columnists.
However, Howard's article is a real turn-off; its content, and her decision to not only write but actually publish it, reveal far more than the author could possibly have intended about her worldview, self-image, tactics, maturity level, profound ignorance about how the book review process works (despite her having published multiple previous books), and competency to dispense personal advice to people who might actually rely on it to make important decisions. Granted, I know both first-hand and vicariously that barbers' hair often doesn't get cut, and that the same holds true for many other tradespeople and professionals who may greatly benefit their clients but sorely neglect themselves. Nonetheless, this New Republic article is for Ms. Howard - much like many of her dubious attempted matches, controversial statements, and romantic track record are for the never-married, oft-engaged "Millionaire Matchmaker" (Patti Stanger) - a real shot in the foot professionally, with farther reaching implications than the sales and public reception of the author's book(s).
Meredith Maran's October 17, 2014 review of this book for The Boston Globe provides the one reason why I might still get around to cracking this book's spine:
This passage hints at the value of “Eat, Drink & Remarry” as a period piece: Buried within this self-serving portrait are routine references to the anti-Semitism and misogyny of our nation’s postwar, pre-feminist times. As a Jew, Margo Howard learned that her background and all it afforded her couldn’t protect against “restricted” housing and other such bigoted insults. As a woman, Howard did what women of her station, and less advantaged ones, were offered little choice but to do: Try to marry well.
My advice for Ms. Howard:
Make it a habit to read ''Miss Manners'', to listen to ''Dr. Laura'', and to hire and follow the advice of a competent PR professional. I'm sure - given how connected Howard brags about being - she must know one or 100 of them.
Note to Self:
If/when I do read this book, do so during spare time (e.g., when unwinding while traveling home), conserve effort and expense by borrowing digitally from the public library, and don't hesitate to transfer it to the "Didn't Finish/Didn't Like" list if it proves to be as obnoxious as the author's aforementioned New Republic screed.
However, Howard's article is a real turn-off; its content, and her decision to not only write but actually publish it, reveal far more than the author could possibly have intended about her worldview, self-image, tactics, maturity level, profound ignorance about how the book review process works (despite her having published multiple previous books), and competency to dispense personal advice to people who might actually rely on it to make important decisions. Granted, I know both first-hand and vicariously that barbers' hair often doesn't get cut, and that the same holds true for many other tradespeople and professionals who may greatly benefit their clients but sorely neglect themselves. Nonetheless, this New Republic article is for Ms. Howard - much like many of her dubious attempted matches, controversial statements, and romantic track record are for the never-married, oft-engaged "Millionaire Matchmaker" (Patti Stanger) - a real shot in the foot professionally, with farther reaching implications than the sales and public reception of the author's book(s).
Meredith Maran's October 17, 2014 review of this book for The Boston Globe provides the one reason why I might still get around to cracking this book's spine:
This passage hints at the value of “Eat, Drink & Remarry” as a period piece: Buried within this self-serving portrait are routine references to the anti-Semitism and misogyny of our nation’s postwar, pre-feminist times. As a Jew, Margo Howard learned that her background and all it afforded her couldn’t protect against “restricted” housing and other such bigoted insults. As a woman, Howard did what women of her station, and less advantaged ones, were offered little choice but to do: Try to marry well.
My advice for Ms. Howard:
Make it a habit to read ''Miss Manners'', to listen to ''Dr. Laura'', and to hire and follow the advice of a competent PR professional. I'm sure - given how connected Howard brags about being - she must know one or 100 of them.
Note to Self:
If/when I do read this book, do so during spare time (e.g., when unwinding while traveling home), conserve effort and expense by borrowing digitally from the public library, and don't hesitate to transfer it to the "Didn't Finish/Didn't Like" list if it proves to be as obnoxious as the author's aforementioned New Republic screed.
October 21, 2019
This is hands down, my best read of ALL time. Margo is a really talented writer, too honest too, sometimes to a fault. This memoir is about her life and largely her love life till she finds Mr. Perfect (after 3 divorces and fruitless dates....see the pun?) Throughout the book, I found myself unable to stifle my laughter... I think I was howling at some point as my not so amused library mates looked on. She tells the story so well, I felt as though we were sitting right across each other. I have deep admiration for authors who can tell a good story so this was totally welcome.
I just happened to read reviews about the book and was dismayed about how negative they were. She definitely has had a good life as a celebrity daughter, once married to an A list star etc. She also definitely names drops a few times in the book and is quite opinionated but girl, she knows how to tell a good story. She is brutally honest about the mistakes she made and applies such self depreciating humor that you wonder what to feel about her. The book is also filled with wise gems probably gathered from her years of experience as an advice columnist "Dear Prudence".
The best part of it all is that she knows she has had a privileged life, proudly acknowledges it and not once does she try and act any lesser of who she is so as to improve the ratings. A rare quality in the over correctness nature of Americans. It is this quality that I think many hated and I felt as though the poor reviews were reviews of the author and not of the book.
Long short.....this was a quick, immensely enjoyable read, and I'll think about this book for a while. Her life may be unrelatable but she knows well how to tell a damn, enjoyable story. She really is the writer who we all wish was our friend and will always be on my MUST read list!
I just happened to read reviews about the book and was dismayed about how negative they were. She definitely has had a good life as a celebrity daughter, once married to an A list star etc. She also definitely names drops a few times in the book and is quite opinionated but girl, she knows how to tell a good story. She is brutally honest about the mistakes she made and applies such self depreciating humor that you wonder what to feel about her. The book is also filled with wise gems probably gathered from her years of experience as an advice columnist "Dear Prudence".
The best part of it all is that she knows she has had a privileged life, proudly acknowledges it and not once does she try and act any lesser of who she is so as to improve the ratings. A rare quality in the over correctness nature of Americans. It is this quality that I think many hated and I felt as though the poor reviews were reviews of the author and not of the book.
Long short.....this was a quick, immensely enjoyable read, and I'll think about this book for a while. Her life may be unrelatable but she knows well how to tell a damn, enjoyable story. She really is the writer who we all wish was our friend and will always be on my MUST read list!
Read
November 24, 2014I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir. Disclosure: I went to school with Howard's children until I was 13--I knew the oldest two. So I of course was interested in the early chapters about her first and second marriages. But I was kept completely absorbed even afterwards. First of all, Howard has a 200-watt style: it's clear (Howard's mother was the advice columnist Ann Landers) that there's some sort of genius for vivid and to-the-point prose that runs in the family. Second of all, she has known many prominent people in many walks of life, and it's delightful to get her take on them, especially because, third, Howard always tells it like she sees it. I delighted in her directness (even as I would never want to be on the wrong side of her wit and observational powers). Why did the daughter of the world's most famous advice columnist--and an advice columnist herself--end up married four times? Because she's human, and she's very honest about that humanity--the upbringing that shaped her, her youthful naiveté and impulsiveness, even her shortcomings as a parent. (Howard's been with her current husband for the past 20 years or so, so there's a gratifyingly happy ending.)
January 22, 2015
You probably have to be living in the 1960's to enjoy this book and all the name dropping that she does which accounts for 80% of the book. "We lived next to [name drop], [name drop], [name drop], and partied with name drop], [name drop], [name drop]" all the while I'm wondering who the heck are these people? This book was less on her love life as the abstract seem to describe and more on the big named (that someone like me born in the 80's have no clue about but assume they're some fancy hoity-toity people given the name dropping) people that she met and are friends with. So overall, a boring book if you don't know all those celebrities, politicians and whomever she's talking about knowing, partied with, dined with or danced with.
July 23, 2015
Yes, the author is quite smug and pretentious, when speaking about all of the fabulous things she's done and the A-list people she's friends with (Elizabeth Taylor babysat me! I lived near former President Ronald Reagan!). It's an enjoyable read because she fully admits that her marriages were not well thought out. But that's about the only thing it's good for. She does talk about how she should have made better decisions and thought things out, but the book is more about her super, fabulous, awesome life. If that would annoy you, avoid this book. I enjoyed it for the light read it is, and some of the anecdotes, but yes, Howard can be a little grating.
April 13, 2016
I gave up during spouse #3. The negative reviewers aren't being overly harsh - this one's a true "Rich Peoples' Problems" saga.
hell-to-the-no-begone
November 20, 2014
August 21, 2017
I loved it. Picked it up randomly at the library and discovered she was the original Dear Prudence, a favorite column of mine!
November 21, 2017
I love Margo Howard's writing. I love this book. Very fast read, some fantastic lines will have you howling with laughter and recognition.
Recommended. VERY funny.
Recommended. VERY funny.
March 6, 2018
Fascinating, funny insight into an interesting life.
April 13, 2018
Fun read about Ann landers only child
August 8, 2018
It sounded like a funny book but was kind of a slog.
November 22, 2021
Fun enough that I'm going to pick up copies of her other books. What a life!
March 2, 2023
A fun fast read by Ann Landers only daughter, Margo. Nothing serious here😊
November 22, 2022
It was SO old-fashioned!
January 12, 2019
I read this with an open mind. I am not an important famous person, but lay claim to two things. 1, Marie Osmand was briefly my aunt, when she married into my family. Then she divorced, so she no longer is. 2, when I was about 3 John Wayne was working with my father, Ed Taylor, who was making a prop gun for him to use in one of his movies in Bristow, Oklahoma, and when John came to my dad's shop, he actually held me on his lap! Okay, I was also on Captain Kangaroo TV show about 4 times with my sister, as well as Uncle Zebs cartoon camp, and that's enough name dropping for now, I guess.... As I said, I am read this book with an open mind, and despite knowing all the negativity surrounding the book, I have to say a few things. I know about being misunderstood, and I honestly feel that as the book is written it is in a voice that is a bit light on personal flaws, and heavy on everyone else's flaws. It must have been deeply personal and embarrassing to admit to having had an affair. I know I would never do this publicly, only to the person I cheated on, and only to get forgiveness by that person. I do not know the motivation for doing this, other than full disclose by her seeing as how the person may come forward to discredit her book in the future had she NOT been fully honest, who knows... I digress. .. I feel the book had its good points. I myself am not rich by any means. My husband is the Vice President of a company, and we live very nicely. This Was NOT always the case. I come from a very poor family, and to this day I am the only person in the family who was lucky enough that through hard work and dedication has "made it", meaning not living on welfare, food stamps or paycheck to paycheck, as most of my family does. I am known In my family as BRAGGING, when I tell them oh my husband and I are getting a new car, or oh, my husband got a promotion at work, etc etc etc. let me tell you, to share your good news with your family should not leave you emotionally drained, and then have everyone hold out their hands for money like you are are an ATI machine. I think mrs. Howard is in this boat, talking about who she knows, and other things. Does she attache an importance to it that she should not, YES. Things don't make you a good person or important, you yourself are what is important. I did not come away with the warm fuzzies for her after I read the book, but the hurtful comments and personal attack on HER seem out of line. She was brave enough to put herself out there, flaws and all, and yes, criticize her writing skills, not her personal journey. She does not NEED to sound apologetic, as I know should I write my life story I'll be dammed if I sound apologetic. We have all made stupid mistakes, and we learn from them and move on. I feel her book is just that, HER journey. I am glad she shared it, I know where she is coming from, her personality, and now I can see that indeed, money and things just are not all they are cracked up to be. I just feel that if we are fair, she did a good job writing the book and regardless of silly typos, that still does not negate the fact that she achieved what she set out to do. My bio may be even WORSE than hers and I just request anyone who was so harsh and quick to judge her to write THEIR bio for all of us to read and judge their decisions. People who live in glass houses and all..... Don't pick up a stone to throw if you yourself are not perfect and by writing such horrible reviews and personal attacks on her just to me seemed really petty and I felt sorry for those people, knowing some of them might be a bit neglectful of their kids at times cheat on their spouses, or may even be hooked on drugs or alcohol. criticize the book, not the author, choices they made or how you think they should feel. Enough said....
November 3, 2014
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Eat, Drink and Remarry follows Margo Howard from young adult to the present day in her quest (through four marriages) to find Mr. Right.
Margo Howard is straightforward and to the point in describing the thought processes (or lack thereof) that led to each marriage as well as the other steps she took in life. Each marriage happened for a reason, although compatibility and asking herself why she chose to marry seemed not really to come up until later relationships. That was, however, one of the best aspects of the book for me. Margo's analysis of her actions showed beautifully how she grew throughout life from someone who makes choices because she thinks that is what is expected of her to someone who knows who she is and what she wants/needs. Reading this book, you could argue that Margo got where she did largely due to serendipity, and while that may be true, I think a large part of it was that she wasn't afraid. Margo Howard threw herself into life and wasn't afraid to try new things. More importantly perhaps, she also wasn't afraid to admit she had made a mistake, find a way to solve her problem and learn from it. That was what I really took away from Eat, Drink and Remarry.
There were aspects of this book that annoyed me (some parts seemed like they were nothing more than anecdotes thrown in to show yet again how many people Margo Howard knows) and some that I absolutely loved (Margo getting all dolled up to take her entourage of PIs to bust her first husband and his mistress since: "He's going to remember this morning. And a girl always wants to look her best.") Overall though, I found Eat, Drink and Remarry to be an enjoyable read.
Margo Howard's life may be something I am almost completely unable to relate to but she knows how to tell a story. I admire how candid she was, how much she embraced life and her persistence. It may have taken a few tries but I'm happy that in #4 she found her real Mr. Right.
Eat, Drink and Remarry follows Margo Howard from young adult to the present day in her quest (through four marriages) to find Mr. Right.
Margo Howard is straightforward and to the point in describing the thought processes (or lack thereof) that led to each marriage as well as the other steps she took in life. Each marriage happened for a reason, although compatibility and asking herself why she chose to marry seemed not really to come up until later relationships. That was, however, one of the best aspects of the book for me. Margo's analysis of her actions showed beautifully how she grew throughout life from someone who makes choices because she thinks that is what is expected of her to someone who knows who she is and what she wants/needs. Reading this book, you could argue that Margo got where she did largely due to serendipity, and while that may be true, I think a large part of it was that she wasn't afraid. Margo Howard threw herself into life and wasn't afraid to try new things. More importantly perhaps, she also wasn't afraid to admit she had made a mistake, find a way to solve her problem and learn from it. That was what I really took away from Eat, Drink and Remarry.
There were aspects of this book that annoyed me (some parts seemed like they were nothing more than anecdotes thrown in to show yet again how many people Margo Howard knows) and some that I absolutely loved (Margo getting all dolled up to take her entourage of PIs to bust her first husband and his mistress since: "He's going to remember this morning. And a girl always wants to look her best.") Overall though, I found Eat, Drink and Remarry to be an enjoyable read.
Margo Howard's life may be something I am almost completely unable to relate to but she knows how to tell a story. I admire how candid she was, how much she embraced life and her persistence. It may have taken a few tries but I'm happy that in #4 she found her real Mr. Right.
June 9, 2016
kind of funny at times, and somewhat snarky tone [as in her stint as "Dear Prudence" columnist on Slate.com] can be enjoyable. I also liked hearing more about Ken Howard [husband #3], star of one of my favorite TV shows during its brief run, "The White Shadow".
Other than that.......name-droppy [as daughter of Ann Landers & a wealthy business guy, she grew up around privilege and has traveled in elite/rich/celebrity circles her whole life], blaming [her only fault apparently was inability to see soon enough how awful the men were] account of her love life -- some interstitial dating but mainly the 4 husbands [#4 and current is perfect of course] and a six-year affair with married guy between husbands 3 and 4.
I always thought her advice column thoughtful, so I was a little surprised that she didn't have anything more interesting to say about relationships. The takeaways (if you really like excitement, don't pick a steady boring guy even if he's nice........if you like responsibility, don't pick a big drinker.....if you have 3 kids, don't marry a new guy until finding out if he likes them and vice versa) seemed straightforward and not requiring so much experience to glean.
Also, it feels mean to pick on author for the sort of person she is rather than the book [and I gather from her 2014 piece in The New Republic responding to early negative reviews of this book that she won't appreciate this feedback], but in such a personal story it's hard to get around being affected by one's sense of the author, and she doesn't come off all that well.
many examples, but here's one from p. 37 -- somebody has her and husband #1 over, and author asks in relation to a portrait in their home "Who is that?" The wife said "well, that's me" and author responded "No! Who would have a portrait of themselves with their old nose?"
To be fair, she retells this as a social gaffe, not an opportunity to make fun of the host again, but still, who sez something like that out loud? Hard to relate to.
Other than that.......name-droppy [as daughter of Ann Landers & a wealthy business guy, she grew up around privilege and has traveled in elite/rich/celebrity circles her whole life], blaming [her only fault apparently was inability to see soon enough how awful the men were] account of her love life -- some interstitial dating but mainly the 4 husbands [#4 and current is perfect of course] and a six-year affair with married guy between husbands 3 and 4.
I always thought her advice column thoughtful, so I was a little surprised that she didn't have anything more interesting to say about relationships. The takeaways (if you really like excitement, don't pick a steady boring guy even if he's nice........if you like responsibility, don't pick a big drinker.....if you have 3 kids, don't marry a new guy until finding out if he likes them and vice versa) seemed straightforward and not requiring so much experience to glean.
Also, it feels mean to pick on author for the sort of person she is rather than the book [and I gather from her 2014 piece in The New Republic responding to early negative reviews of this book that she won't appreciate this feedback], but in such a personal story it's hard to get around being affected by one's sense of the author, and she doesn't come off all that well.
many examples, but here's one from p. 37 -- somebody has her and husband #1 over, and author asks in relation to a portrait in their home "Who is that?" The wife said "well, that's me" and author responded "No! Who would have a portrait of themselves with their old nose?"
To be fair, she retells this as a social gaffe, not an opportunity to make fun of the host again, but still, who sez something like that out loud? Hard to relate to.
December 8, 2014
I didn't really care for Margo as an advice columnist: she was way more ascerbic and flip than her mother (who for me really was the best), so I'm not sure what made me pick up this book, except maybe the title. I just didn't care for it: Margo comes across as very annoying to be around. While I'm glad she found happiness (everyone deserves that) I found that by the time it happened, I just didn't care anymore.
(I also just read Margo's New Republic article decrying the poor reviews she got from Amazon Vine reviewers....her attitude towards those is just like what is found throughout her book -- if you don't agree with her, she's going to try to find a way to show you that you are wrong. BTW, it's perfectly fine to judge the person who is the author of a memoir: when you're putting the details of your life out there for everyone to see, then you cannot be surprised when some people take issue with them, just as someone who doesn't like a fictional protagonist.)
(I also just read Margo's New Republic article decrying the poor reviews she got from Amazon Vine reviewers....her attitude towards those is just like what is found throughout her book -- if you don't agree with her, she's going to try to find a way to show you that you are wrong. BTW, it's perfectly fine to judge the person who is the author of a memoir: when you're putting the details of your life out there for everyone to see, then you cannot be surprised when some people take issue with them, just as someone who doesn't like a fictional protagonist.)
November 7, 2015
**I received this book from a goodreads give away***
-I down graded this review by two stars after reading Margo's rebuttal to being negatively reviewed by morons who receive 'free swag' and there for can not be trusted to be capable of giving a book review - her privileged life in the memoir didn't not bother me while reading but it comes out loud and clear in her New Republic article. But according to Margo, I'm just someone off the street amassing free stuff and can not be trusted to give a sound opinion on a book because I'm under qualified as I am not a progressional write-
Margo Howard, from the column 'Dear Margo' and 'Dear Prudence', writes candidly about her experiences with love marriage and divorce. Howard writes like your best friend telling you some good gossip. This book was an easy light read that had a few shining moments, but overall was a little underwhelming.
-I down graded this review by two stars after reading Margo's rebuttal to being negatively reviewed by morons who receive 'free swag' and there for can not be trusted to be capable of giving a book review - her privileged life in the memoir didn't not bother me while reading but it comes out loud and clear in her New Republic article. But according to Margo, I'm just someone off the street amassing free stuff and can not be trusted to give a sound opinion on a book because I'm under qualified as I am not a progressional write-
Margo Howard, from the column 'Dear Margo' and 'Dear Prudence', writes candidly about her experiences with love marriage and divorce. Howard writes like your best friend telling you some good gossip. This book was an easy light read that had a few shining moments, but overall was a little underwhelming.
February 4, 2015
While I had no idea who this author was when I picked up the book, I found her third marriage the only truly interesting part of the book - there is so little written about Hollywood from the inside that I always ache for people who sell their souls for fame and end up with such sad, ruined lives.
With that said, no one but a famous person could have written this book. We never really see Howard's heart or feel anything with her. We see her fall in love 4 times and we read about 3 divorces, but we never know, even poetically, what happens during the marriages. She writes as if she's writing about someone ELSE's life.
Memoirs usually evoke emotion, make us laugh and cry with the author. This was what might be a new genre - journalistic memoir
With that said, no one but a famous person could have written this book. We never really see Howard's heart or feel anything with her. We see her fall in love 4 times and we read about 3 divorces, but we never know, even poetically, what happens during the marriages. She writes as if she's writing about someone ELSE's life.
Memoirs usually evoke emotion, make us laugh and cry with the author. This was what might be a new genre - journalistic memoir
December 1, 2014
I was always fascinated by the twin sisters who gave advice in the newspapers ("Dear Abby", "Ann Landers") and who had daughters who took over advice franchises-- daughter Margo, being "Dear Prudence" for many years. It seems it is impossible for many reviewers of this book to consider the context --the pampered Margo grew up thinking her only job in life was to get married and have children immediately. Enjoyable quick read that gives a glimpse into three very different milieus, and reminds us how far American women have come in 50 years.
April 23, 2015
I picked up this book on a whim while I was casually walking around the library while the kids were playing. It has big type and is short and perfect for reading while keeping on eye on the kids. However, that being said, it isn't that terrific. It is written by a debutante that has had an extremely privileged life. It is essentially a longer version of People Magazine but at a higher social-economic level. So, why am I reading it? Probably because it doesn't take any brain capacity so I can do it while watching my kids.
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