Customer Reviews

Hollywood Wives

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have a degree in English literature, so I've read volumes and volumes of the best pieces of English litererature from the past 400 years. This juicy little novel by Jackie Collins ranks as one of my all-time favorites. While some may critics dismiss it as mere trash, you cannot deny the fascinating character portrayals and unexpected back stories that reminded me of Dickens at his best. The author masterfully weaves various storylines together, culminating in a nailbiting conclusion, and she does it all with a tongue in cheek tone. I hope time is kind to this book, because it deserves a place in literary history.

Jackie Collins novels are the sugar cereal of the book set. Sure, the whole grain, all natural cereals are better for you and are in themselves pretty tasty but once in a while you need a box of sugary, artifically flavored cereal and should feel no guilt about it.

Hollywood Wives is an absorbing novel about the intersecting lives of a number of people. Is it realistic? Maybe not, but it certainly isn't boring. The book was originally released in 1983 (and even despite that, it has a very late 70's vibe of free loves and drugs without much thought of the consequences), and while the fashion choices seem funny by today's standards, most of the book could take place in the present.

If this book had been in less capable hands, it probably wouldn't have been as much fun; Collins has a way of throwing out a ridiculous situation in a very believable manner as well as delivering a series of minor detonations throughout the text before the main reveal, and I eagerly awaited to see when all hell would break loose. And while Collins' writing style is not up to that of say Stephen King or Richard Russo, she is heads above Dan Brown and James Patterson.

Great fun.

Of all of Jackie Collins' novels, Hollywood Wives ranks as one of her most successful and shocking Hollywood novels. This was the first Jackie Collins novel I ever read; in fact, I came across it at my local library by accident. From the very first page I was hooked, and to be honest I loved all the sex, drugs, and Hollywood shenanigans. Collins really blew the lid off of what it was like to be a "Hollywood wife": affairs, drugs, plastic surgery, pregnancies, glitz, glamor, and a hell of a lotta fun. Normally, I don't give a Collins novel more than three stars, but this one was just too good to rate below four stars. If you're looking for great escapism and a peek into what Hollywood was, still is, like then Hollywood Wives is a must read. The mini-series based on the novel wasn't too bad, either.

An excellent trashy novel from the woman who has replaced the late Jackie Susann as «the» Hollywood author. You'll have a ball!

This was the first Jackie Collins book I had ever read. It was a WONDERFUL adventure. Jackie introduces you to characters that will undoubtedly feel like close friends when you've completed the story. Her story flows at a very good pace to always keep you surprised. She finds ways to interject humor to keep her characters in a very "human" light.

At first, I was skeptical when presented this book; however, now I am a TRUE fan and have read over a dozen Jackie Collins' novels. It's a WONDERFUL ESCAPE............

Historically, this was Jackie Collin's fourth novel (the bestselling "The World is Full of Married Men", "The Stud" and "The Bitch" having preceded it) and is, to date, her most successful, selling 15 million copies.

Having invented the "Hollywood" novel, Collins is at the top of her raunchy game with this thrilling tale of sex, drugs, money, revenge, ambition, sex, marriage, crime, hate, sex, family, entertainment, desperation and, of course, sex.

Featuring:

Elaine Conti-A Brooklyn babe turned Hollywood hostess, desperate to stay at the top with a marriage crumbling beneath her.

Ross Conti-A Hollywood star burning out, hitting 50 without a viable career in a town that has little pity.

Niel Gray-An alcoholic, top director caught in a seductive web.

Buddy Hudson-A Los Angeles hustler with ambitions of hitting it big and having it all, regardless of his past life and his wife.

Montana Gray-A woman determined to break the glass ceiling of Hollywood studios.

And a litany of other showstopping characters, all contributing another facet to the brilliant diamond that is "Hollywood Wives"

i just want to say that i used to live in beverly hills and its just like this. lol! well maybe not exactly but you know.... :) but its a good one from the master of style maybe a little out of date but still so true.....i said taht didnt i.

i like the elaine conti chracter because shes human but most of all i like all the poeple in it jackie does them all so well

well this is my frist review here i hope it helps

thankxxxxxxxxxx guys !!!!!!!!

I am an avid Danielle Steel reader, but I heard that Jackie Collins was a good writer, so I decided that I would give her a try, and I was NOT disapointed! It was such a good story, and it wasn't what i was used to, but it was great.
The book revolves around a bunch of different characters, and you feel like you know who the people are. You really connect with them.
First there is Elaine and Ross Conti, Ross is a movie star, that is getting older, and is afraid of loosing his career.
Then there is Buddy and Angel Hudson, Buddy aspirering star, and his new pregnant wife.
Then Maralee Gray, divoriced from producer Neil Gray, and Neil is remarried to a woman named Montana, writer of street people, the new movie.
It revolves around a man named Deke ANdrews and his troubled life, and you wont beleive what happens in the end
It is most surprizing. I loved it. I will be reading Jackie more often! i Love her !

I am an avid mystery or legal thriller reader and thought I would give something different a chance - and I am so glad that I did. This book was so entertaining and character development was outstanding - by the end of the book you feel as if you know these people and you really do want to know what is happening in their lives. The fast pacing and scene jumping in this book reminded me of a day time soap (which although I don't watch was fun to get into for a while). Bottom line: I don't care what type of literature you usually read - go out on a limb and give this book a chance - if anything you WILL be entertained.

Classic trashy novel. Lets your imagination run wild. Interesting look at the way Hollywood and its female inhabitants live life in the "city of angeles." Plenty of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.