Customer Reviews

Love Match: Nelson Vs. Navratilova

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After reading this book what is clear is that Judy Nelson was basically a kept woman. The rich and famous can afford to do that...so long as they are rich and famous and their fragile egos are intact. And why is Nelson complaining? For 6 years she had an intimate relationship with a celebrity and lived a lavish lifestyle. But like many relationships it came to a abrupt end when Navratilova simply moved on to another girlfriend. That's life Nelson and it happens every day. Poetic justice for Nelson, who cheated on her husband Ed. Navratilova had an extended fling with Nelson and Nelson thought it was love.

This is an interesting book, self-serving at times. It presents the relationship from Judy's point of view. The best part of the book is the Introduction by Rita Mae Brown--that is absolutely hilarious, but insightful. I kept reading her introduction over and over.
Presenting the printed version of-- THS: Judy Nelson. Judy tells of her childhood, being Maid of Cotton, her first marriage to her rich doctor hubby who was cheating on her with one of his nurses, and how she met Martina. She discusses their years together, but the bulk of the book is on Judy's "galimony" suit against Martina and the ensuing brouhaha and media circus. Judy, as Martina's wife, felt she deserved half of Martina's earnings and property gained during their time together. The book gets rather tiresome at times; Nelson tries very hard to convince the reader to side with her. She really wants your sympathy, so she pours it on thick, carefully omitting or playing down all the expensive gifts and jewelry and perks Martina showered upon her during their relationship.
You can see her point about why she went after Martina after their breakup, yet the book is so one-sided, you ache to hear Martina's side of the story as well. I don't think we will get that chance, as Martina does not care to stoop to Judy's level. For an insightful view of Judy and Martina, and of their galimony battle, read Rita Mae Brown's "Rita Will." It gives a thoughtful, yet hilarious account of Rita's involvement as mediator in the Martina/Judy battle. And Rita's accurate portrait of Judy is a scream--she describes Judy as a person "whose hair gets ruined by a ceiling fan" and other witty, caustic observations that are most unflattering. Rita Mae's insights helps you to understand Judy's book even better. All in all, Judy's book is an interesting read when you don't feel like taxing your brain.

If Faulkner/Nelson team isn't embarrassed by this collaboration they must be members of the walking dead. Shameful, hoohah about nothing. Absolutely purposeless. At .01¢ it is over priced. I found my copy at the local library discard bin... now I know why. The genuinely talented Rita Mae Brown did herself a huge disservice letting her name appear on the cover. It only served to make her own self indulgent Martina catharsis "Sudden Death" seem like a mercy killing by associating her name with this garbage.

This was a wonderful book. It gives insight not only to gay/lesbian relationships but all relationships. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever been in love and then lost that love!