Two New Books on Elaine Stritch

[StylishCynic]

Posted: 9/29/19 at 10:43pm

I haven't seen any threads on either of the 2 books coming out in August and October 2019 on the life of Elaine Stritch.

Elaine Stritch: The End of Pretend by John Bell (ISBN 1644627167) is already available. It was crafted using Stritch's reminiscence about her life as she was interviewed by Bell in the twilight of her light. While I always wished that Stritch penned a memoir, I'm relieved to know that she had a heavy hand (well, word) in telling her story. The title comes from a statement from Stritch around how one ought to "make friends with the end of pretend and leave the building with a little dignity."

Still Here: The Madcap, Nervy, Singular Life of Elaine Stritch by Alexandra Jacobs (ISBN 0374268096) releases in October 2019. Jacobs pulls together Stritch's biography starting at her childhood in Detroit during the Great Depression all through her decades long career on stage and screen from years of research and interviews. 

I'm absolutely over the moon knowing that she's receiving a long overdue literary treatment. She was truly an institution. While Bell's book mostly comes from Stritch herself, I've seen more press around Jacobs's. 

I'm slated to receive The End of Pretend this week, followed shortly by Still Here (which comes out on Thursday). Has anyone else read them yet? Would love to hear thoughts!

[Luscious]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 12:06am

Stylish, the majority of people on this message board don't read.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 12:10am

Luscious said: "Stylish, the majority of people on thismessage board don't read."

 

Speak for yourself.

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 12:15am

Stylish, thank you for your post. Had no clue the second book was coming out. Will read both. Have a few books ahead of them.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 12:39am

uncageg said: "Luscious said: "Stylish, the majority of people on thismessage board don't read."



Speak for yourself.

Ditto!

"

 

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 12:47am

Which one should I read

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 2:07am

Luscious said: "Stylish, the majority of people on thismessage board don't read."

That’s literally all we do here. 

[Phillytheatreguy10]

Posted: 9/30/19 at 11:04am

I would read The End of Pretend if you're looking for something more than a Biography or second hand accounts of Elaine. End of Pretend is told from direct interviews with Elaine by her friend John in the last years of her life.  It presents not only a loving fan's tribute to a life well lived in the theatre but also an insight into what made Elaine tick in her own words an interactions with Bell.  I was fortunate enough to go to the school John is the Chair of and was there for the Master Class presented in the book so I may be biased, but the book was a delight and I highly recommend it.