1966:In London, Jackie Collins's racy The World is Full of Married Men hits bookshops and launches her career. In New York, Jacqueline Susann's debut novel Valley of the Dolls is published, and she's desperate for it to be a bestseller. But both are about to discover the price they will pay for being women who dare to write about sex.
Meanwhile, college graduate Nancy White is excited to take up her dream job at a Manhattan publishing house. But Nancy could never be prepared for the rampant sexism she is about to encounter.
When Nancy introduces the two Jackies, she fears they will become rivals in their race to top the charts. As she strives to achieve her ambition of becoming an editor, can all three women succeed despite the men determined to hold them back?
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Scandalous Women by Gill Paul is published on 29 September 2024 by Avon. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour
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It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Gill Paul's writing. I love the fact that she takes real women from history, usually those that have been somewhat overlooked, or unfairly treated by historians, and weaves incredible stories around them.
I have always been an avid reader and both Jacqueline Susann and Jackie Collins' books featured heavily on my reading lists. I was lucky enough to have a very open minded mother when it came to reading (although she could be extremely strict in other areas of my life!), and she and I, along with my paternal Nana devoured these books. Passing them between each other, being transported from a tiny rural village in the East Midlands to the glamour of the nightclubs of London, and the glitz of Hollywood.
We live in a literary world these days where anything seems to go. With the popularity of the EL James books, added to the spice of Romantasy, there seems to be no holds barred in what can get published these days.
The 1960s were a very different kettle of fish and Gill Paul expertly shows the misogyny that these two fearless female author faced when publishing their novels. Women loved those books, they were huge sellers, but the underlying message was that nice women don't write about sex.
The 1960s were a very different kettle of fish and Gill Paul expertly shows the misogyny that these two fearless female author faced when publishing their novels. Women loved those books, they were huge sellers, but the underlying message was that nice women don't write about sex.
As first Jacqueline, and then Jackie set out on book publicity tours, interviewed by the press, on the radio and in TV studios, they were faced with question after question about their own sex lives. Remarks about their looks, their clothes, their make up and their marriages were made constantly.
I absolutely devoured this book. I was transported back to the swinging sixties, with the fashion, the endless uppers and downers, the dinner parties, the drinks. The important men in their dickie bows and the hard working women behind the scenes who sacrificed so much to ensure that these books were available to the world.
There's a sadness about Jacqueline that totally goes against her public image, she is portrayed as a kind, loving and caring woman. A woman who will do anything to make sure that those that she loves are happy, a woman who made sure to learn the name of everyone in the business, from the booksellers to the publicity assistants. Making notes about their families, and remembering them. Jackie is a little harder, but deep down, she's a mother and wife, with tragedy behind her, and who wants to make sure that she never has to depend on a man for anything again.
Whilst Nancy is a fictional figure, completely created by the author, her story is also compelling. We see a naive young girl who wants to be an editor enter the frightening, male based world of publishing. We are privy to her struggle and her heartbreaks, but most of all, to her incredible strength and self belief.
Yes, it's full of scandal, and drugs and glamour, but this is also a detailed look at the world of publishing in the 1960s. It's totally addictive, you will adore these characters and shout for them throughout the story. An absolute triumph. Highly recommended.
I absolutely devoured this book. I was transported back to the swinging sixties, with the fashion, the endless uppers and downers, the dinner parties, the drinks. The important men in their dickie bows and the hard working women behind the scenes who sacrificed so much to ensure that these books were available to the world.
There's a sadness about Jacqueline that totally goes against her public image, she is portrayed as a kind, loving and caring woman. A woman who will do anything to make sure that those that she loves are happy, a woman who made sure to learn the name of everyone in the business, from the booksellers to the publicity assistants. Making notes about their families, and remembering them. Jackie is a little harder, but deep down, she's a mother and wife, with tragedy behind her, and who wants to make sure that she never has to depend on a man for anything again.
Whilst Nancy is a fictional figure, completely created by the author, her story is also compelling. We see a naive young girl who wants to be an editor enter the frightening, male based world of publishing. We are privy to her struggle and her heartbreaks, but most of all, to her incredible strength and self belief.
Yes, it's full of scandal, and drugs and glamour, but this is also a detailed look at the world of publishing in the 1960s. It's totally addictive, you will adore these characters and shout for them throughout the story. An absolute triumph. Highly recommended.
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Her novels have topped bestseller lists in the US and Canada as well as the UK and have been translated into twenty languages.
The Secret Wife has sold over half a million copies and is a book-club favourite worldwide.
She is also the author of several non-fiction books on historical subjects. She lives in London and swims year-round in a wild pond.
Instagram @gill.paul1
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