Gene Tierney: A Biography

Gene Tierney: A Biography chronicles the life of the Hollywood actress from her privileged New York upbringing through her rise to stardom in the 1940s. Vogel documents Tierney's career trajectory at 20th Century Fox, including her iconic roles in films like Laura and Leave Her to Heaven. The book examines Tierney's complex personal relationships, marriages, and family dynamics against the backdrop of Hollywood's Golden Age. Her struggles with mental illness and the challenges she faced both on and off screen are explored through research and firsthand accounts. Vogel reconstructs Tierney's story using interviews, correspondence, and historical records to paint a portrait of a woman navigating fame, tragedy, and recovery. The biography stands as a study of resilience and survival in an era when mental health issues were poorly understood and often stigmatized. This biography offers insight into the intersection of public image and private turmoil in mid-century Hollywood, while raising questions about the price of fame and the evolution of mental health treatment in America.

Readers appreciate the comprehensive coverage of Gene Tierney's life, mental health struggles, and film career. Several note the book provides details about her electroshock therapy treatments and battles with depression that aren't found in other biographies. Common criticisms focus on writing quality, with multiple reviews citing awkward phrasing and editorial errors. Several readers point out factual inaccuracies, particularly in dates and film details. One Amazon reviewer notes "the writing feels amateurish and rushed." What Readers Liked: - In-depth mental health coverage - Previously unpublished photos - Thorough filmography details What Readers Disliked: - Poor editing and proofreading - Writing style described as "dry" - Some inaccurate film information Ratings: Amazon: 3.8/5 (12 reviews) Goodreads: 3.5/5 (47 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.0/5 (6 ratings) While the book provides new information about Tierney, many readers recommend her autobiography "Self-Portrait" instead.

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🎬 Gene Tierney struggled with severe mental illness throughout her life, including depression and schizophrenia, yet managed to appear in over 40 films during her career. 📚 Author Michelle Vogel extensively researched Tierney's life through interviews with family members and access to personal correspondence that had never before been made public. 🌟 Despite being one of Hollywood's most beautiful actresses of the 1940s, Tierney was tragically exposed to rubella while pregnant, resulting in her daughter being born deaf, partially blind, and with severe mental disabilities. 🎭 During the filming of "Laura" (1944), considered Tierney's signature role, she was going through a difficult divorce from designer Oleg Cassini and struggling with personal demons behind the scenes. 🎥 The biography reveals that Howard Hughes, whom Tierney dated, remained a lifelong friend and secretly helped support her financially during her later years when she faced medical expenses and career difficulties.