Valley of the Dolls 50th Anniversary Edition

By: Jacqueline Susann

Narrated by: Laverne Cox

Length: 17 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

At a time when women were destined to become housewives, Jacqueline Susann let us dream. Anne, Neely, and Jennifer become best friends as struggling young women in New York City trying to make their mark. Eventually, they climb their way to the top of the entertainment industry only to find that there’s no place left to go but down, into the Valley of the Dolls.

©1966, 1967, 1997, 2016 Tiger LLC, Bernard Geis Associates (first hardcover edition); Bantam Books (first paperback edition); first Grove Press edition; Fiftieth Anniversary Edition. Recorded by arrangement with Grove Press, an imprint of Grove Atlantic, Inc. (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Good story, not a good storyteller

The story is good, interesting. I’ve heard so much about the book but had not read it. It was the type of story that pulls you in. Because of when it was written so aspects are sexist. Not grossly just dated. Laverne Cox was not a good reader of the story unfortunately. Not horrible just not good with all the characters.

Almost intolerable performance

What a strange reading. The voices sound like they’re making a mockery of the characters. They jump around, making it very confusing. Barely made it through the full book.

Wow

I loved the story. The characters were believable. I didn’t mind Laverne’s voice. I think she did good job. I read this for book club and glad I did. I actually may read the physical book.

Wrong narrator

First off, I love the idea of listening to an audiobook narrated by Laverne Cox.

Secondly, this is not that audiobook.

Audible Studios did not think this through. This is a great book but there really aren't any other audiobook versions of it available. It is such a disappointment that they cast someone to read the book who is absolutely not the right voice for the book. Clearly, whoever did so had not even read the first chapter of this book. Laverne's voice is way too deep and sultry to play Anne, and occasionally her southern accent appears when it does not fit. Also, there were times when she slipped into a less-than-crisp pronunciation of words (ex: saying "wit" instead of "wiTH"). In some books, both of those characteristics would be perfect, but they don't work when you're narrating a book about the entertainment industry (taking place mostly in NYC and some in Los Angeles) from the 1940s to the early 1960s, and your main character is a WASP-y, prim, wealthy, young, White girl from New England and her New York contemporaries!

Come on, Audible! Both this book and Laverne Cox deserve better casting!

Wow Laverne Cox should narrate everything!

Laverne Cox really brings this story to life! I’ve always wanted to read this. I’ve seen the movie but I always heard the book is better and it is! Cox had this fun and classy style that made me never want to stop listening! Also her impressions are great!

Who is talking

The weird character voices change throughout the reading so it is easy to get lost in the story. Somehow Neely is a cross between Blanche Deveraux and Fran Drescher. This is my favorite book of all time but have to pass on this reading.

Great Book, not so great performance

Okay, I will start by saying that the narration wasn't excrucuating like some other reviews. Was it good? No. It was just completely the wrong. voice for the story. I had an incredibly hard time envisioning the lovely ladies the story was meant to portray.

I understand the reason for the choice. I was just not a good fit for this audio book.

I am left feeling empty

I meant to read this book, finally did, now I sort of wish I hadn’t. Cox is EXCELLENT! Absolutely nailed all characters, but especially Neely. I will spend the rest of my life wishing Anne had never done a thing for that ungrateful little b**ch. Anne was never perfect, neither was Jennifer, but Neely was despicable.

Not what I expected

I couldn’t decide if it was the dialogue or the narrator, but I rolled my eyes throughout the entire story. I get that it’s set in the 40’s - 60’s but it was so corny! I listened to the whole thing though ;)

Great book ...weak performance

Read this book decades ago. Loved it then... love it now. However the actress reading the book did not have the skill to differentiate between the many characters and accents required. Also I found her own accent and her diction (or lack of) very distracting at times.