Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

The Illuminating Diary of a Professional Lady

By: Anita Loos, Jenny McPhee - introduction

Narrated by: Patrice O’Neill

The delirious 1925 Jazz-Age classic that no less an authority than Edith Wharton called "the great American novel".

If any American fictional character of the 20th century seems likely to be immortal, it is Lorelei Lee of Little Rock, Arkansas, the not-so-dumb blonde who knew that diamonds are a girl's best friend. Outrageous, charming, and unforgettable, she's been portrayed on stage and screen by Carol Channing and Marilyn Monroe, and has become the archetype of the footloose, good-hearted gold digger, with an insatiable appetite for orchids, champagne, and precious stones.

Here are her "diaries", created by Anita Loos in the Roaring Twenties, as Lorelei and her friend Dorothy barrel across Europe, meeting everyone from the Prince of Wales to "Doctor Froyd" - and then back home again to marry a Main Line millionaire and become a movie star. In this delightfully droll and witty book, Lorelei Lee's wild antics, unique outlook, and imaginative way with language shine.

©2014 Introduction by Jenny McPhee to the Liveright. Paperback edition copyright © 2014 by Jenny McPhee. Copyright renewed 1991 by Jay S. Harris. Copyright © 1963 by Anita Loos. Copyright renewed 1952 by Anita Loos Emerson. Copyright 1925 by Anita Loos. Copyright 1925 by The International Magazine Co, Inc. (Harper’s Bazaar) (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Clever, funny, irreverent,

Lorelei’s diary humorously shares her insights on men, money, and a girl’s relationships with both. Although times may change but the foibles of human nature are surprisingly universal. This bestselling book from 1926 sold tens of thousands of copies for Anita Loos. Would that they had followed this book more closely when writing the movie of the same name with Marilyn Monroe.

Gentlemen prefer Audible

A great performance of this classic work. I love the readers hilarious performance of Dorothy.

A Girl Like I Loves This Book, Which Is An Audio Book

I can't say enough good of this novel. It is conscious of literary form the way Gertrude Stein's poetry is, and it is a biting and effervescent satire of sexual hypocrisies and gender objectification of the Jazz Age. McPhee writes a marvelous introduction, and the narrator is spot- on.

Brava to all!

Could Not Get Past Narrator

The narrator does a grating Marilyn Monroe impression. Unbearable. Cannot comment on book content. There seems to be another version out there with a better narrator. Might try that one. Available through Amazon.

Fate Keeps Happening!

Great edition. Who new James Joyce binge-read this?

The comedy is remarkably fresh for a 100 year-old book. Loos's whipsmart wordplay conjuring a likeable ditzy blonde feels more "Clueless" than Marilyn Monroe.

The narrator reminded me of the cheerleader from "Daria" and had me in stitches. What a tour de force!