The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens

A Memoir of the Beales, the Maysles Brothers, and Jacqueline Kennedy

By: Jerry Torre, Tony Maietta, Albert Maysles - introduction

Narrated by: Tony Maietta

The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens is Jerry Torre's touching and at times haunting memoir about his teenage days as caretaker of Grey Gardens, the now-celebrated mansion chronicled in the iconic documentary Grey Gardens and two feature-length films. The book, cowritten with film historian Tony Maietta, is a behind-the-scenes look at "Big Edie" and "Little Edie" and their bizarre and reclusive life of squalor amid the tremendous wealth of East Hampton, the family bond that developed between Jerry and them, and the day everything was turned upside down forever with the arrival of documentary filmmakers Albert and David Maysles.

What begins as a teenager coming upon what he assumed was an old, abandoned house takes on new dimensions when suddenly Edie appears on the porch draped in a shower curtain with an apron tied around her head. "You must be the Marble Faun," she tells the stunned Jerry. Rather than chasing him away as he at first feared, she invites Jerry to meet her mother upstairs. So begins a strange, unusually close friendship with the two women as Jerry takes on the task of volunteer gardener, often sleeping in their living room and staying out of mother-daughter arguments. The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens is Jerry's look back on the filming of Grey Gardens but also how the notoriety the movie achieved changed his life along with the Beales'.

©2018 Jerry Torre and Tony Maietta; Introduction copyright 2018 by the Albert Maysles estate (P)2022 Tantor

Superbly written and narrated

closure . What a story. Perspective from all involved. Wish Jackie could’ve shared her personal thoughts.

Jerry Torre, thank you!!!

Such a fun and unique tale of kindness and acceptance! Thank you for this beautiful story!

Amazing book, amazing read by Tony Maietta!

I read the book but hearing it is even better. You SEE this book with Tony Maietta’s brilliant narration. He plays every character to perfection. We FEEL! There needs to be mini series based on Jerry’s compelling, funny and heartbreaking story.

Eye Opening

I had seen the documentary years ago, but this book really put everything into perspective for me. I learned so much that I hadn't know before. There were really tender moments, and laugh out loud moments, thanks to the wonderful narration by Tony Maeitta. He was really able to capture the voices of the Beales which lent to overall masterful story telling. For anyone who is a fan of Grey Gardens I would highly recommend this book !!!

A must for Grey Gardens fans

This book was addicting and I couldn’t stop listening. I loved hearing all about Grey Gardens from Jerry’s perspective.