TOO MUCH, TOO SOON

by ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 8, 1957

The public confessional of the daughter of a notorious marriage mirrors an appalling pile-up of silver spoons and tawdry. Diana, a blue blood of society (her mother had been Mrs. Blanche Oclrichs Thomas before she became Mrs. John Barrym and was known professionally as Michael Strange, poet and playwright) -- and a member of theater's royal family, had a confused childhood of maternal restrictions, social gestures, Newport and Europe and, after her debut in 1938, found her heritage from her father and headed, supercharged, into the theater. Revolt, inexperience and uncertainty led to regretted marriages, regrettable affairs and, with Broadway, Hollywood, her father's scandals and scurrilities, her mother's criticisms, ultimately to drink. Drink got the upper hand and notorious episodes heightened the reputation she was building until attempts at suicide, blackouts and blackball as an actress kept the nagging question of how low can you sink an unwelcome companion. The death of her third husband and a chance to prove herself again, give an impetus for a reformed future. The extravagant explosiveness of her parents, the lack of warm youthful memories, the torment and the turbulence of her desire to live her own life, and the despair over the wretched to sordid involvements she created -- these continue the I'll Live Tomorrow true-story pattern that can hold popular interest.

Pub Date: April 8, 1957

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1957

Categories: NONFICTION