Lady Be Good - by Pamela Hamilton (Paperback)

About the Book

"Lady Be Good transports us to the glittering, sumptuous era of 1920s New York to follow the life of aspiring actress Dorothy Hale as she comes of age. Breaking societal rules imposed on women, "Peck's Bad Girl of Pittsburgh Society" leaves behind her privileged world for the bright lights of Broadway to chase her dream. From convent school debutante runaway to Ziegfeld showgirl to Hollywood star, Hale transforms herself into one of the most adored figures in the highest echelons of society. Yet behind the public faðcade the darling of the press contends with heart-rending loss, gossip and betrayal, and a tempestuous friendship with Luce. Surrounded by her fabulous circle of friends-Gertrude Stein, Fred Astaire, Cole Porter, James Roosevelt, Elsa Maxwell, and other iconic figures-Dorothy finds her way to the other side of heartbreak and prepares for a White House wedding. Then, suddenly, at age thirty-three, at the height of happiness and peak of her fame, she falls to her death. Her life story is revised and written into history by the tabloids and the famed and fãeted-leading to this novel's stunning conclusion. Former NBC producer Pamela Hamilton turns her journalism skills on discovering the facts about Dorothy Hale's story, then spins them with color and life into breathtaking revelations about the irresistible and misunderstood glamour girl whose legend has endured for more than half a century"--Publisher description.

Book Synopsis

A Multi-Award-Winning Novel and Kirkus Best Book of the Year

"Surprisingly gripping..." -Kirkus Reviews, starred reviews

A moving portrait of Dorothy Hale, the legendary 1930s socialite immortalized in one of Frida Kahlo's most celebrated paintings. In her multi-award-winning debut novel, Pamela Hamilton delivers glamour, romance, tragedy, a close and stormy friendship with famed playwright and Vogue and Vanity Fair editor Clare Boothe Luce and the enchanting story of two women navigating a world of incredible wealth and power in New York, Paris, Hollywood, and grand estates of the Gold Coast-a perfect book club read.

Lady Be Good transports us to the glittering, sumptuous era of 1920s New York to follow the life of aspiring actress Dorothy Hale as she comes of age. Breaking societal rules imposed on women, "Peck's Bad Girl of Pittsburgh Society" leaves behind her privileged world for the bright lights of Broadway to chase her dream. From convent school debutante runaway to Ziegfeld showgirl to Hollywood star, Hale transforms herself into one of the most adored figures in the highest echelons of society. Yet behind the public façade the darling of the press contends with heart-rending loss, gossip and betrayal, and a tempestuous friendship with Luce.

Surrounded by her fabulous circle of friends-Gertrude Stein, Fred Astaire, Cole Porter, James Roosevelt, Elsa Maxwell, and other iconic figures-Dorothy finds her way to the other side of heartbreak and prepares for a White House wedding. Then, suddenly, at age thirty-three, at the height of happiness and peak of her fame, she falls to her death. Her life story is revised and written into history by the famed and fêted-leading to this novel's stunning conclusion.

Former NBC producer Pamela Hamilton turns her journalism skills on discovering the facts about Dorothy Hale's story, then spins them with color and life into breathtaking revelations about the irresistible and misunderstood glamour girl whose legend has endured for more than half a century.

"Hamilton instantly captivates readers." -BookLife by Publishers Weekly Editor's Pick

"Deeply evocative... A magnificent debut novel." -Bill Dedman, Pulitzer Prize Winner, New York Times #1 Bestselling Author of Empty Mansions

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Review Quotes

"Hamilton has an ear for conversation and talent for pacing... Dorothy emerges as both a charismatic and vulnerable figure. A smart and touchingly sympathetic fictional portrayal of an enigmatic woman."

-Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Readers who love glamorous historical fiction will be mesmerized by the life of Dorothy Hale... a woman determined to make a name for herself in a world ruled by men and governed by money, power, and connections. Hamilton paints a striking portrait of this extraordinary life much like Frida Kahlo did... The elegant timeframe and high fashion of the era, replete with jazz music and roaring parties that would be the envy of Gatsby's crowd."

-BookLife by Publishers Weekly, Editor's Pick

"This book is delicately woven into a masterpiece of fact and fiction. Hamilton writes with eloquence and precision... Her words flow with grace and ease, inviting readers into the depths of her narrative. A fascinating tale of how Dorothy Hale claims the love and affection of her fans, rising to become one of the most acclaimed and admired women of the early 1900s. This is a notable contribution to Hale's legacy as well as to literature."

-Manhattan Book Review (five-star review)

"The landscape of the book in setting and culture reminds the reader of The Great Gatsby. The author is skilled and provides vivid descriptions... I found the novel fascinating."

-Independent Book Publishers Association

"Engaging and delicious scenes and dialogue... This marvelous tale captures so many elements that make for an enticing read: love, loss, romance, glamour, friendship, betrayal, mystery, and suspense. All these aspects transcend time, making her story seem both historical and modern at the same time. An enthralling, beautifully written story full of interesting period details."

-San Francisco Book Review (five-star review)

"Lady Be Good provides an intoxicating mix of glitz, glamour, love, and betrayal, complete with a heartbreaking ending that lingers long after the final page. Hamilton's refined prose delivers tight, concise bursts of dialogue and vivid scene-setting. A timeless coming-of-age tale of innocence lost, one that feels eerily prescient when measured against the modern trappings of social media-driven fame."

-IndieReader

"An extraordinary work about a remarkable woman... Set, the art world, Hollywood, and a maelstrom of politics, the novel is a vivid portrait of one woman's dreams, as well as heartbreaks. Pamela Hamilton writes with such gravitas and dedication, delivering a framework of facts and research assembled with an imaginative pen."

-Readers' Favorite (five-star review)

"This finely crafted gem of a novel holds within it an entire world: Jazz Age New York, with all its vibrancy and thrill. Rich with smart dialogue and period detail, it's a window into a vanished time, bringing historical legends back to life-but more than that, it's a mirror that helps us see our own society more clearly."

-Kermit Roosevelt, Award-Winning Author of The Nation That Never Was