Me and Jezebel: When Bette Davis Came for Dinner - and Stayed...

by Elizabeth L. Fuller

A star-struck fan recounts the story of how her dream came true when Bette Davis came to dinner and had to stay in her suburban home for four weeks due to a hotel strike in Manhattan.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

244 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1992

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my literally laugh out loud favorites. I read it every now and then to remind myself that it never hurts to be full of piss and vinegar the way Miss D was! She was an abominable houseguest but still one worth having for all she taught the author about herself and the real person behind the funhouse mirror of fame. I challenge anyone to read this and not laugh at Bette's witty ripostes and much-earned wisdom. The way she handles the author's spoiled young son is genius. A master class on child rearing. As Bette once said, 'Parenting isn't for sissies!' Amen sister!

Bette also has much to say about Yankee architecture, seafood, Joan Crawford, the afterlife, and much more.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fun, easy read... chuckled all the way through it... and the starstruck author paints a great picture of Bette Davis. Loved it.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unusual book in my Bette Davis collection—quite revealing of the great star at the time her daughter’s vindictive tell-all came out. But even more....the author herself is revealed as rather odd with belief in seances and communication with the spirit world. Her inability to feel at ease with her famous house guest......who she had adored since childhood......was a continually uncomfortable aspect of the book. But overall, a worthwhile addition to my Bette Davis shelf.

[Margo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Embarrassing. Elizabeth Fuller is a nit wit. If she is such a big Bette Davis fan, why does she continually misquote her movies. Her pathetic attempts to be bosom buddies with Bette are, well, pathetic.

Plus I am not sure I buy this. There is no information here that Fuller couldn't have gleaned from interviews and common knowledge about Bette. I notice it was published after Bette died.

[Peggy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book after seeing the play by the same name. Was lucky enough to be there the night the author was and had a Q&A session after. I loved the play and the book. Very funny.

[Carol Tilley · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Javier Fernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

For me, the play simply wasn't very funny or interesting.

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm bored at work, so here I go.
I read this years ago, while I was determined to see every classic movie ever. (Side note: I have not accomplished that, though I have seen most. Side side note: not every old movie is a classic.) And I thought Bette Davis was a dream, so I found this for fifty cents at a used bookstore and thought "hells yeah." And it was hilarious. The author describes Davis with the same sharp wit and edge with which Bette Davis viewed the world. It was harsh, dark, at times it even seemed unkind, but it was how she saw her; how she experienced her. In all likelihood it was how she was. And I loved it. I still laugh out loud when I think of this book today.
3.4/5

[Rob Atkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trashy fun, even though the narrator/hostess comes across as something of a dingbat. Bette is priceless, in full-on diva mode throughout. I laughed out loud often. This is apparently quite the cult item, even beat up copies of this long out-of-print mass market paperback now selling for upwards of $20 in the secondary market, and it's easy to see why.