#1
Posted: 8/16/07 at 2:40pm
*********SPOILERS FOR ANYONE WHO HASNT READ THE BOOK!!!**********
Has anyone else read this?
I am almost done with the book and although it is very poorly written (I guess this was before spell check) it sheds a lot of insight onto what happened behind the walls of Grey Gardens that the documentary never touched on. Some of Lois' observations are fascinating, while others just banal. It definitely took some of the mystique away from Little Edie (to be taken with a grain of salt).
I took everything Lois wrote with a grain of salt, but the portrait she paints is one that shows Little Edie as more on the mentally ill side than just being eccentric. Lois and Little Edie clearly have a small rivalry and Little Edie makes it clear who is in charge.
Lois writes of Brooks being a mentally ill alcoholic with poor boundaries, paints the Maysles as con-men who promised the Edies money and fame, but never really delivered, and who also were constantly frustrated with Edie for not doing publicity and didnt always reimburse her for trips to the city for promotion of Grey Gardens.
The most interesting facet of the book is how Lois describes the hierarchy in the home. Big Edie was seen by many people (both in and outside of the home) as a resourceful, intelligent woman who got things done and had all the answers. People were drawn to her as though she was a clairvoyant. Also Big Edie was locked in her room most of the time and her visitors were carefully screened by Little Edie before access was given. Big Edie always answered the house phone and had most of her relationships transpire over the phone. She came across so much more independant than in the documentary. Also fascinating was that the house was always locked up and it appears that Little Edie almost never went out (she is pictured outdoors quite a bit in the documentary, but I think she viewed the porch as a stage she was performing on).
I think what Lois also emphasizes is the abject poverty the women were living in which the documentary didnt touch on. The Edies oftentimes had NO money and were begging and bartering for food or services. They were always waiting for the next check or handout and were often brought food from neighbors.They also called the Maysles often for money with no avail.
The other thing that was interesting to realize was that Lois was on the same wavelength as Little Edie. I got the idea from the documentary that Lois was just a friendly visitor, but she lived there and was almost as paranoid and delusional as the divine Little Edie.
Lois also goes in to more detail about the condition of the house as the Maysles show so very little of the house.
All in all, it's a fascinating read for hardcore GG fans. If you've read the book feel free to add your thoughts.
Has anyone else read this?
I am almost done with the book and although it is very poorly written (I guess this was before spell check) it sheds a lot of insight onto what happened behind the walls of Grey Gardens that the documentary never touched on. Some of Lois' observations are fascinating, while others just banal. It definitely took some of the mystique away from Little Edie (to be taken with a grain of salt).
I took everything Lois wrote with a grain of salt, but the portrait she paints is one that shows Little Edie as more on the mentally ill side than just being eccentric. Lois and Little Edie clearly have a small rivalry and Little Edie makes it clear who is in charge.
Lois writes of Brooks being a mentally ill alcoholic with poor boundaries, paints the Maysles as con-men who promised the Edies money and fame, but never really delivered, and who also were constantly frustrated with Edie for not doing publicity and didnt always reimburse her for trips to the city for promotion of Grey Gardens.
The most interesting facet of the book is how Lois describes the hierarchy in the home. Big Edie was seen by many people (both in and outside of the home) as a resourceful, intelligent woman who got things done and had all the answers. People were drawn to her as though she was a clairvoyant. Also Big Edie was locked in her room most of the time and her visitors were carefully screened by Little Edie before access was given. Big Edie always answered the house phone and had most of her relationships transpire over the phone. She came across so much more independant than in the documentary. Also fascinating was that the house was always locked up and it appears that Little Edie almost never went out (she is pictured outdoors quite a bit in the documentary, but I think she viewed the porch as a stage she was performing on).
I think what Lois also emphasizes is the abject poverty the women were living in which the documentary didnt touch on. The Edies oftentimes had NO money and were begging and bartering for food or services. They were always waiting for the next check or handout and were often brought food from neighbors.They also called the Maysles often for money with no avail.
The other thing that was interesting to realize was that Lois was on the same wavelength as Little Edie. I got the idea from the documentary that Lois was just a friendly visitor, but she lived there and was almost as paranoid and delusional as the divine Little Edie.
Lois also goes in to more detail about the condition of the house as the Maysles show so very little of the house.
All in all, it's a fascinating read for hardcore GG fans. If you've read the book feel free to add your thoughts.
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
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