The Way We Lived Then: Recollections of a Well-Known Name Dropper

I am probably Dominick Dunne's biggest fan, and having said that I was at first a little disappointed (prior to reading it) at his most recent book. It didn't seem like one of his usual, deep juicy stories - more a photo album. Which is exactly what it is, and so much more. Aside from all the personal observations and memorabilia, Mr. Dunne's ability to chop himself down to size is truly amazing. The reader observed some of this in "Another Town, Not My Own" when Mr. Dunne portrays himself as Gus Bailey. Aside from a writing style that I find particularly enjoyable to read, the highest compliment I can pay Mr. Dunne is that I believe every word he says, always. From his articles in Vanity Fair Magazine, to his novels, and now this memoir, Dominick Dunne is truly one of America's greatest authors. His ability to keep the reader engaged and entertained is not to be underestimated.

It wasn't Dominick Dunne's vintage photos that caught me -- although some of them are stunning -- but the delicious text of this book. There are some quotable lines, like this musing on Lana Turner: "I have always been intrigued by the kind of people who call their lawyers before they call the police after a murder. It's a rich-people thing." What's best, of course, is that Dunne manages to capture the guilty innocence in post-war Hollywood manners and morals. And then that exquisitely sad coda! This book will be a minor classic. Dominick Dunne, thank you.

For the die hard fan of Dominick Dunne--including the little known "The Winners", His current offering is a crowning achievement. Sitting down and reading "The Way We Lived Then" is like stepping onto the set of an old movie, to where everyone is famous, or yearns to be famous--most notably, the author himself. The fuzzy quality of some of the photos adds much to the tonial focus of the writing, that the glamorous life is not always happy or fufilling. Mr. Dunne shines the spotlight on his own pain, and never tries to paint a sunny picture when the rain pours. Many of the memories are heartwarming, especially the photo of his daughter on his lap as a toddler. Real fans of Mr. Duune will be able to spot so many details that he had used in his novels, which to me made it interesting. I loved this book, and I love this author, and it will sit proudly on my coffee table for some time to come.

To anyone who can remember the Los Angeles of the 50s, 60s and 70s, this book is a treasure and a real piece of social history. It is wonderful to see how beautiful and stylish the women of that era were, and how the behind-the-scenes entertaining of celebrities was accomplished. The photo of Priness Margaret with a cigarette in her mouth is priceless, as is the shot of Natalie Wood fixing her makeup in the reflection of a dinner knife. Dominick's black and white ball, which preceeded the Truman Capote extravaganza held in New York, apparently was the prototype. It's a wonderful read that I would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about behind-the-scenes Hollywood.