Gypsy

A Memoir

By: Gypsy Rose Lee, Erik Preminger - afterword

Narrated by: MEOW MEOW

Length: 14 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Gypsy Rose Lee’s memoir became a New York Times best seller in 1957, inspiring the 1959 hit musical, two movies, and three revivals. A fourth, directed by Arthur Laurents and starring Patti LuPone, lit up New York, winning top Broadway theatre awards, including three 2008 Tony Awards, as well as raves from critics and audiences:

“No matter how long you live, you’ll never see a more exciting production.” (Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal)

“Not your ordinary theater experience. This is the best production of the best damn musical ever.” (Liz Smith, syndicated columnist)

The memoir, which Gypsy began as a series of pieces for The New Yorker, contains an afterword by her son, Erik Lee Preminger. At turns touching and hilarious, Gypsy describes her childhood trouping across 1920s America through her rise to stardom as The Queen of Burlesque in 1930s New York - where gin came in bathtubs, gangsters were celebrities, and Walter Winchell was king.

Gypsy’s story features outrageous characters - among them Broadway’s funny girl, Fanny Brice, who schooled Gypsy in how to be a star; gangster Waxy Gordon, who fixed her teeth; and her indomitable mother, Rose, who lived by her own version of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others...before they do you.”

©1957 Gypsy Rose Lee and Erik Preminger (P)2019 North Atlantic Books

Critic reviews

"Will delight anyone who has a love for the annals of the American stage." (Newsweek)

"This is show business, this America...this is Gypsy Rose Lee!" (Tennessee Williams)

"I found it irresistable. It's quite a performance. I bet some of it is even true, and if it wasn't, it is now." (John Steinbeck)

Local makes a Famous decision

it paid off. hardships and chaos in the family dynamics. having her own ideas and being able to think fir herself...Gypsy made the right moves and then it paid off in the end.
I recall this being an endearing memoir.

Loved Every Minute of It

If you love show biz, vaudeville, show biz bios, a wonderful life story told with charming wit, great insider details, and a lilting and lyrical je ne sais quoi, you will adore this book as I did. Perhaps one of my all time faves. There's even a wonderfully detailed, albeit sad, afterward by her son. I was enthralled. Everything I love in a memoir is here and then some.

A couple of noticeable defects: Meow Meow is exceptional but there are at least 6 words completely and flagrantly mispronounced. Really surprised the producer or editor did not catch. A revolving stage was revolting and patent leather shoes were payton....and on.

The book stops very early in her life and skips over her marriages, most aspects of any of her intimate relationships, except her mother and sister, her Hollywood chapter and the end of her life....Really wish someone would expand.

Would love for her son to go on longer.

More please! Who knew Gypsy Rose Lee was so intellectually brilliant and a mesmerizing show biz story-teller, like non other. Really captures that world and the behind-the-scenes of that world adroitly in a way that completely captures your attention for all 14.5 plus hours! So worth it.

Fantastic book, amazing true story!

I learned so much and enjoyed this thoroughly. a great read for anyone interested in American history, especially the Vaudeville era. Gypsy was a powerhouse and sooooo funny. I laughed out loud several times. Enjoy!

Fact or fiction? Who cares

Even if it’s mostly made up or a “fable” it’s a great story. I enjoyed it.