📖 Overview
Jacqueline Susann was an iconic American novelist of the 1960s and early 1970s who revolutionized the publishing industry with her scandalous bestsellers. Her most famous work, "Valley of the Dolls" (1966), became one of the highest-selling novels in history and spent 65 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.
Beginning her career as a struggling actress in New York, Susann turned to writing in her forties and created a new genre of commercial fiction that mixed Hollywood glamour with raw subjects like drug addiction, sex, and power. She made history as the first author to have three consecutive novels reach #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list with "Valley of the Dolls," "The Love Machine" (1969), and "Once Is Not Enough" (1973).
Known for her innovative marketing techniques, Susann personally traveled across the country promoting her books through television appearances and bookstore events, establishing a new model for author publicity. She continued writing and making public appearances until her death from breast cancer in 1974 at age 56.
Despite critical dismissal during her lifetime, Susann's influence on popular culture and commercial fiction remains significant, with "Valley of the Dolls" having sold more than 31 million copies to date. Her works have been adapted into films and continue to inspire contemporary authors and entertainment.
👀 Reviews
Readers view Susann as an entertaining storyteller who exposed Hollywood and showbusiness scandals, though many note her limited technical writing abilities.
Readers appreciate her fast-paced plots, behind-the-scenes drama, and unflinching portrayal of addiction, sex, and ambition. Many praise Valley of the Dolls for capturing the dark side of fame and female friendship. As one Goodreads reviewer notes: "It's trashy but compelling - like watching a glamorous train wreck."
Common criticisms include wooden dialogue, underdeveloped characters, and repetitive plotting across her books. Multiple reviews mention the dated attitudes toward gender and sexuality. Several readers describe her style as "pulpy" and "sensationalistic."
Ratings across platforms:
Valley of the Dolls
- Goodreads: 3.9/5 (128,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Once Is Not Enough
- Goodreads: 3.7/5 (8,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.3/5 (400+ ratings)
The Love Machine
- Goodreads: 3.6/5 (5,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.2/5 (300+ ratings)
📚 Books by Jacqueline Susann
Valley of the Dolls (1966)
Follows three women in show business from the 1940s through the 1960s as they navigate fame, addiction, and relationships in New York City and Hollywood.
The Love Machine (1969) Chronicles the rise of a ruthless television executive and the women who become entangled in his path to power in the broadcasting industry.
Once Is Not Enough (1973) Details the story of a young woman's complex relationship with her film producer father and her experiences in New York's high society.
Dolores (1976) A posthumously published play about an aging actress confronting the end of her career and her relationships with the men in her life.
Yargo (1979) A science fiction novel published after Susann's death, following a woman's encounter with an alien being and their subsequent romantic connection.
The Love Machine (1969) Chronicles the rise of a ruthless television executive and the women who become entangled in his path to power in the broadcasting industry.
Once Is Not Enough (1973) Details the story of a young woman's complex relationship with her film producer father and her experiences in New York's high society.
Dolores (1976) A posthumously published play about an aging actress confronting the end of her career and her relationships with the men in her life.
Yargo (1979) A science fiction novel published after Susann's death, following a woman's encounter with an alien being and their subsequent romantic connection.
👥 Similar authors
Jackie Collins created scandalous novels about Hollywood's elite and their secret lives, following directly in Susann's footsteps with books like "Hollywood Wives." She wrote over 30 novels focused on sex, drugs, and power dynamics in the entertainment industry.
Harold Robbins dominated commercial fiction in the same era as Susann with bestsellers about wealth, power, and sexuality. His novels "The Carpetbaggers" and "The Betsy" share Susann's blend of Hollywood glamour and dark undercurrents.
Sidney Sheldon transitioned from screenwriting to novels that feature strong female protagonists in high-stakes situations involving wealth and betrayal. His work "The Other Side of Midnight" parallels Susann's examination of ambitious women navigating ruthless environments.
Judith Krantz wrote commercial fiction centered on fashion, wealth, and female protagonists climbing social ladders. Her novels "Scruples" and "Princess Daisy" contain similar themes to Susann's work about women pursuing success in competitive industries.
Barbara Taylor Bradford created multi-generational sagas about women rising from poverty to wealth and power. Her "Woman of Substance" series shares DNA with Susann's rags-to-riches narratives and exploration of female ambition.
Harold Robbins dominated commercial fiction in the same era as Susann with bestsellers about wealth, power, and sexuality. His novels "The Carpetbaggers" and "The Betsy" share Susann's blend of Hollywood glamour and dark undercurrents.
Sidney Sheldon transitioned from screenwriting to novels that feature strong female protagonists in high-stakes situations involving wealth and betrayal. His work "The Other Side of Midnight" parallels Susann's examination of ambitious women navigating ruthless environments.
Judith Krantz wrote commercial fiction centered on fashion, wealth, and female protagonists climbing social ladders. Her novels "Scruples" and "Princess Daisy" contain similar themes to Susann's work about women pursuing success in competitive industries.
Barbara Taylor Bradford created multi-generational sagas about women rising from poverty to wealth and power. Her "Woman of Substance" series shares DNA with Susann's rags-to-riches narratives and exploration of female ambition.