Dizzy & Jimmy: My Life with James Dean: A Love Story

It's difficult to say something negative about a memoir; after all, it is meant to be one person perception of the past. In this book, Sheridan writes of her year-long relationship with the very young and unknown James Dean. She does provide the reader with some unusual insights, such as her brief meeting with Dean's father, and Dean's admission of a homosexual encounter. She was also present on opening night of the play that would quickly lead him to stardom. It's obvious that at one time she was his closest relationship.
The problems in reading this book are many, though. I grew frustrated quickly as these memories are HIGHLY romanticized, and I can't stress that enough to the potential reader. Sheridan would have us believe that in show more the 50's people spoke in unison, poured their heart's desires out to strangers and broke into song and dance in the streets on a regular basis. I understand that whole conversations can't be remembered from fifty years before, but instead of giving the reader the gist of what was said, she supplies us with the corniest dialogue imaginable. For instance, apparently James Dean couldn't just say, "Wake up, we're eating," while on a road trip. Instead, Sheridan has him whispering into her ear, "Smell the fresh aroma of the corn muffins, the smoky bacon splattering in the air, the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee perking..." Really now. show less

My favourite James Dean book of all time. This is an intimate look in to a small part of Dean's life. The author lets you get a glimpse at things we've never seen or heard of before and couldn't possible know without her voice. Sheridan tugs at your heart strings with the thought of what was and what could have been.