It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir

Reading this book was like sitting down with a friend, having a cup of tea, and musing about your life. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Eighty-year old Gloria Vanderbilt chats about her past (and present) love affairs with the enthusiasm and delight of a giggling debutante. She says she always was - and still is - looking for the next big IT, the next great Love to send oodles of flowers, take her to lunch at the Ritz in Paris, and be "Nijinsky in the bedroom." Becoming a millionaire at birth didn't make up for being fatherless and denied her mother's love; Gloria's seemingly endless string of lovers began at age seventeen with no less than Howard Hughes and went on to include Sinatra and Brando, famous artists and writers, and four husbands. Only a few go unnamed in this utterly candid tell-all, each paramour being, as she says, a substitute for her mother's love. Vanderbilt has been an actress, designer, writer, and, of course, social butterfly, but this ever-so-readable little book may convince you that her favorite avocation was Passion on a Grand Scale. Reading this is like gabbing with an old girlfriend who never quite outgrew wanting to be the belle of the ball; ever the dewy-eyed coquette in search of Prince Charming. Kona

IT SEEMED IMPORTANT AT THE TIME: A ROMANCE MEMOIR by entertaining writer, Gloria Vanderbilt is a book you won't want to miss. Going from the thought process to actually acting on impulse, was a thrilling journey to be sure. I found Ms. Vanderbilt story unique and insightful. Parts of her story were touching with moments to cherish while others were, well...you get the picture, right? We're all only human as the saying goes. I enjoyed this book a lot and am happy to recommend it to anyone who longs to slip into someone elses world for a few fun-filled hours. (Recommended Reading!)

I enjoyed reading this book. Parts of the book are factual and the rest of it is pure emotion, rich with the author's thoughts, observations and feelings about events in her life, sometimes happy, sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Nobody in life gets to pick the family they are born into. Regardless of her background, Gloria's book is about the struggle we all face, in trying to find meaning in this life with the means that we have and in making it with the best that we've got. Some parts of the book are written like thoughts going through her mind, and like all thoughts, they sometimes retrace their steps back to lead to different conclusions. This is an endearing quick read. Thanks to the author for her honesty.

Summer seems to be the time for fast, fun reading, so here is fall and here is Vanderbilt and fun. Funny though, that a memoir containg pathos, drama and death could be so entertaining. Artist, actress and writer, Gloria Vanderbilt blithely skirts the details of her love life, viewing calamties and climaxes with sophistication. "It all comes back to me" she says explaining away a wild life of adult love and a tragic life as a motherless child. As Oprah explored on a recent show - drive down any mansion-lined street in envy and dare to find the normal family behind the porticos. In this memoir there are many porticos to envy but normal is not the point. Fun, yes, joy, yes, and a life well lived.