Mabel
by Betty Harper Fussell
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Strange book on silent film star Mabel Normand. Each chapter starts with a small paragraph from correspondence with Normand's nephew or elderly nurse or the elderly nurse's caregiver which really don't apply to the story of Mabel Normand. While it appears that the author interviewed many people, there are no references, footnotes, or bibliography to tell you when she interviewed them. She indicated Wallace Reid began his drug addiction after a head injury and I always read it was a back injury. I just think a better book could have been done on Normand's life and career.
This was an alright biography. While it was interesting to learn about Mabel, the author kept going back and forth with timelines. Each chapter started with her, she just had to put herself into each darn chapter. Just different from other biographies I’ve read.
Writes of Mabel's drug addiction which those who knew her dismiss as untrue.
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16+ Works 876 Members
Betty Fussell is the author of ten previous books, including The Story of corn and My Kitchen Wars. A contributor to the New York Times, The New Yorker, Saveur, Food Wine, Gastronomica, and other publications, she has also lectured widely on food history. Western born, she lives in New York City.
Common Knowledge
- People/Characters
- Mabel Normand
- Related movies
- Hollywood Cavalcade (1939 | IMDb)
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 791.43 — Arts & recreation Recreation, sports, and performing arts Public performances Motion pictures, radio, television, podcasting Motion pictures
- LCC
- PN2287 .N57 .F87 — Language and Literature Literature (General) Literature (General) Drama Dramatic representation. The theater Special regions or countries
Statistics
- Members
- 45
- Popularity
- 645,158
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (3.68)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 2
