Customer Reviews

Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been waiting for a book about Lili St. Cyr since reading her obituary in Life magazine 8 years ago. When I finally heard it was being written, I was cautiously optimistic. I've read many biographies, and they can be overly fond of their subjects, poorly researched, tabloid-esque, or just plain dry. My fears have been assuaged as Kelly DiNardo proves to be professional, with class. She's pulled out all the stops, and you don't have
to be a researcher yourself to pick up on the laborious amounts of work put into this book.
Fellow burlesque fans may tire of the history of the striptease being detailed once again, but it is necessary in hopes of the story reaching a wider audience. The life story of Lili St Cyr certainly deserves such widespread recognition, for the reasons previously mentioned: her rise to fame, clashes with the press, independence, squandered fortune, troubled personality and ultimately dissappointing final years.
Her story is not an entirely happy one. Her choices were not all admirable. So I guess at worst that places her in good company amongst sex-symbols of the century.
DiNardo has sandwiched Lili's life events and choices within the history of the burlesque and striptease industry, as well as the changing social mores that affected it. The book contains a great deal of historical context, perhaps in an attempt to speculate at the true inner motivations and feelings of Lili St. Cyr. For a woman who was not afraid to shock the press with a sordid opinion or two, her true "intimate secrets" will always remain elusive.
The elaborate research Kelly DiNardo has done is sure to remain the best summation of the story and person that was Lili St. Cyr.

Gilded Lili is the fascinating story of a woman, famous in her time, but little known today. Kelly DiNardo recounts her life in lively prose that traces the history of burlesque in America through one woman's experience. Lili St. Cyr's life was tragic in many respects, and could serve as a cautionary tale for many of today's current crop of celebrities. Ms. DiNardo's book put's into precise historical context Lili's struggle to remain independent, both personally and financially, in a time when women had few options to reach the level of success she managed to achieve and sustain for 20 years. Her choices, both good and bad, reflect the dramatically changing attitudes towards sex, women and relationships during the first half of the 20th century.

I really enjoyed the book--it is extremely well written, clever and tender in its narrative (particular in the end). It sheds so much light on only on Lili but on the context of the times she was living in. I also thought that Lili's life story and the surrounding growth and decline of burlesque was also well researched and referenced. My favorite part was perhaps the epilogue though, where I felt Kelly DiNardo really cast an appreciative, sincere light on what Lili achieved during her lifetime and applauded her for her authentic sensual humanity :)

I highly recommend this to all people who are looking for a thrilling, entertaining read with brains and empathy behind the narrative.

I guess I can't agree with some of the earlier reviewers. It seems to me that the book short changes both Lili and the reader. It appears to be just as much a vehicle for promoting the author's feminist ideology as an honest biography of someone who led anything but an ordinary life. Not that I know Lili. That's what I bought the book for. Reading the book is something like watching the news on the MSM. There are enough giveaway's to let you know that there's an agenda here that is taking precedence over a simple retelling of Lili's life.

I discovered Lili St. Cyr in an old Cabaret magazine back in the 50s and was captivated by her beauty. She has remained a treasured part of my memory since that time and I wanted to know more about her. Gilded Lili has made her come alive again and now I feel that I have been able to see into her world and know who she really was. This book has made her much more real and interesting to me. Thank you, Kelly.

It is very obvious that this author did a tremendous & thorough amount of research on this star of a by-gone era. The male social mores of the movie industry are illustrated, as is the role of women in that generation. An excellent story as well as a history of the time. It would make a terrific movie.

GILDED LILI: LILI ST. CYR AND THE STRIPTEASE MYSTIQUE is a top pick for any interested in the last real queen of striptease. From her poverty childhood in a small town to her eventual escape to become one of the top exotic dancers of her times, performing for famous personalities, this examination considers her life and American sexuality and values in general, in a tasteful, ongoing recommendation for any general lending library.

Enjoyed Gilded Lili hugely. Very enlightening presentation of context; considerably broadened my understanding of societal issues in first half of 1900's, while acquainting me with a real and warm person who made a life for herself against huge odds in a much misunderstood and maligned field. Thanx, Ms DiNardo!

Lilli St. Cyr was a big time stripper on par with the fame of Gypsy Rose Lee. Unlike Gypsy Lilli lacked a sense of humor, a tight knit family and money sense. The author tries mightily to make St. Cyr into some kind of feminist heroine but it just doesn't wash. Women have always used sex to get what they wanted going back to the dawn of time when Eve turned on her charms to get Adam to eat the forbidden fruit. Lilli St. Cyr had a startlingly miserable life. She married the very men that she couldn't possibly have a successful relationship with drove away the one really decent guy who ever loved her. She went through suicide attempts, claimed multiple abortions, lost her money and became a hopeless heroine addict. In the end only four people came to her funeral. This story is not glamorous and it's not uplifting. Reading this book was like standing on the shore and watching someone drown in slow motion. A beautiful girl went for the bright lights and the big city and basically destroyed herself. If you want to be revolted, annoyed and downright depressed Gilded Lili: is the tale for you.