Becoming Mae West

During the eleven years that have elapsed since Emily Wortis Leider's Becoming Mae West was published, three full biographies and a serious examination of West's early dramatic output have appeared. Leider hit the nail on the head when in her final analysis of West's impact on popular culture, she stated "Mae West continues to stop traffic at the risky intersection of Vamp and Camp." Despite the fact that in the ensuing years biographers have been able to access West's papers donated to the Margaret Herrick Library in Los Angeles, and improved access to information due to the digital revolution, Leider's examination of the life and times of Mae West still stands head and shoulders above the recent crop. Perhaps the key to Leider's success in bringing West to life is the attention to detail in describing the context of her initial successes and failures. Painting word pictures of Broadway and Hollywood offers the reader a perfect time frame to delve into the triumphs and roadblocks that West faced and ultimately helped her hone the Diamond Lil persona to perfection. The one consistent shortcoming of Mae West biographers is the lack of light shone on the last two decades of her life. To this reviewer, it was the pop priestess of camp's reinvention and refusal to be left behind in the dust that makes the final chapter of the Mae West story so fascinating. Beefing up this aspect of West's legacy would greatly enhance this biography. In light of the current hoopla surrounding the most recent examination of West's life, Leider's scholarly research becomes much more relevant and deserves to be reprinted in an updated edition.

This book is one of the most well researched of any Mae West bios in recent years. GREAT photos, and fascinating reading, it uncovers things even the most die-hard fans of Mae West wouldn't know! It delves into the phyche and influences that went into creating Mae West as we came to know her. A highly recommended book.

Emily Wortis Leider has written a biography of Mae West that is more than a rehash of her films and a retelling of her famous lines. Leider writes well and entertainingly and has researched her subject conscientiously. The result is a clearer picture of who Mae West was as a person and how she "became" the character that became her. Leider states her intention early and clearly. While her bio does cover West's entire life, her films and her efforts to remain an icon, Leider is more interested in how the little girl from Brooklyn became a musical soubrette, a vaudeville star, a playwright and stellar star of stage and screen. Along the way we get revealing glimpses into the show business of the early 20th century, America's social attitudes and the personal rebellions that would emerge into movements. Highly recommmeded.

Having read several books about Mae West already, I was caught a bit off guard by the content of Ms. Leider's fine biography. I went into the book expecting a straightforward tale of the escapades of Miss West's illustrious career, but was handed a different deck of cards all together. The atmoshere of early 20th Century New York is so wonderfully depicted, that I felt like I was off in another time and place while reading. Leider expertly weaves in and out of the tale of Miss West's life story and the culture of the time with such finesse, that I didn't realize I was getting a history lesson at the same time. There is so much more to this novel than the biographical nature of it. Everything from early Broadway to Hollywood and the changes in societal norms is handled superbly. Mae West was a fascinating person all on her own. This novel supports the legend while making its own mark as well. This novel is by far the most superior book on her that I have come across. I would venture to guess that even non-fans will find it extremely good reading.

Becoming Mae West is not just a thoroughly researched biography of a show business phenomenon. It is a portrait of the entertainment world in the first half of our century and a thoughtful exploration of changes in American attitudes to sex. Leider's writing sparkles, gracefuly disguising the enormous research on which the book is based, and it is frequently and appropriately funny. Becoming Mae West is a terrific read for anyone interested in Broadway and Hollywood.