A review by lorianne_withane
High Society: The Life of Grace Kelly by Donald Spoto

4.0

A fascinating and engrossing trip through Philadelphia, New York and Hollywood as seen through Grace's eyes. I do feel that Spoto had a bit of an agenda, as the frequent testimonies from coworkers and friends on how Grace was shy, funny, uncertain, professional ... anything BUT cold, did get a little wearisome after a while. However, (as Spoto discusses rather quickly in the midsection), when your main comparison point is Marilyn Monroe, I can definitely understand how he would be trying to characterize Grace as more human than perhaps the public had hitherto allowed her to be. And while I may question if she is quite as saintlike as he portrays her, I have to admit that it's nice to read a biography that isn't trying to trash or undermine -- and really, is it any of my business? (Ah the eternal conflict when reading a biography.) Spoto's intimacy with the subject, (as well as his incredible knowledge on Hitchcock), allows him to paint a much fuller portrait of a Golden Age lady who always seemed a little unknowable. While this may falter a little in the latter part of the book, as I often felt like I was reading an approved press-release of a royal family, it's still a satisfying and delightful sketch of an intelligent, professional woman who always wanted to be more.