Limecello’s review of Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Fiction re-released by Avon on 30 Dec 08
Susan Elizabeth Phillips is one of my favorite authors. Favorite. Glitter Baby is one of the few novels that Ms. Phillips wrote that I hadn’t yet read due to availability, so I’m so glad this one was reprinted. Glitter Baby was first published in 1987 [Ed.: Check out the totally tubular shoulder-pad action on the original cover by mousing over this one], and this re-print has some revisions. I haven’t read a novel by Ms. Phillips in a while, so it was nice to come back to a novel that had the tone and style of her earlier works. I really enjoyed Glitter Baby – the characters are likable and well written, and the Hollywood aspect is a great tie to her new release What I Did For Love. (Which I need to get my hands on!)
“The Glitter Baby” is the persona created for the public facet of Fleur Savagar’s life. She is also the first character we meet in the novel, and the opening is quite effective. I really liked the introduction, but immediately after the story moved to tell of Fleur’s mother — Belinda Britton. I really didn’t like Belinda, and for more than the obvious reasons. She’s a horrible person, a parasite, and quite likely a sociopath. At least, that’s what I thought of Belinda. But perhaps being a sociopath would make it better, because Belinda was so one dimensional. Perhaps I don’t sympathize with her enough, but I never felt that Belinda truly loved Fleur. She only “loved” her daughter because Fleur was a tie to Errol Flynn — Fleur’s father.
This is getting confusing. I felt that the reader is actually given much more of Belinda’s history than Fleur’s in comparison. (In a way I felt that Fleur was slightly short changed.) Belinda is obsessed with Hollywood. She wants to be a star, but while beautiful, has no personality. Belinda also views actors as being superhuman. They can do what they want, and are better and more important than “regular people.” It’s almost creepy the way Belinda is willing to be degraded to cater to the whims of “Hollywood royalty.” Belinda is living with Errol Flynn, but ends up marrying Alexi Savagar when Belinda discovers she is pregnant after Flynn drops her. I got the impression that Alexi loved Belinda, at first, but that Alexi is a psychopath. I had hoped he would be more emotive, but alas, no. Fleur grows up away from home, because while Flynn and Savagar were friends, they were also rivals, and Alexi isn’t willing to raise someone else’s bastard.
The reader truly meets Fleur when she is sixteen, and Fleur is quite the sympathetic character. She’s desperate for love and acceptance, and has been manipulated by everyone who should have her best interest at heart. In a way, I was much more interested with Fleur’s past than with her as a person at that point. Fleur comes into herself throughout the novel, and experiences tragedy and growth in some of the most emotionally damaging ways. While Fleur’s character tugs on your heart strings, I admit that at times I got fed up. Aside from getting herself into some predictable situations, Fleur often was too naive — she needed a reality check.
Jake Koranda is a terrific hero, and in my opinion possibly one of the most approachable ones Ms. Phillips has written. He’s flawed, but in a good way. Although an award winning author and A-list author, Jake seems the most “normal.” I also liked that he never went out of his way to hurt Fleur -and he knew he wanted to pursue her early on. Jake is complex. He’s temperamental, bitter, and has a major chip on his shoulder. Yet he’s a good guy – and really cares for people. He’s smart, and had a difficult life. Jake is scarred by his childhood, his experience with marriage, and his stint in Vietnam. He’s lived a lifetime before he even hit 30. Jake is also gruff, abrupt, and sometimes a jerk. In short, he’s human. But one of the better guys.
The people and personalities truly are what make the book – the secondary stories and characters are a joy to read. Fleur’s half-brother Michel, and Fleur’s roommate/friend Kissy Sue Christie are unique in the best way possible. It has been a long time since I enjoyed a “supporting cast” as much. I also have to say – at the time where Fleur takes her life back into her hands, she becomes a great heroine. It’s really sweet how she’s her own woman, but still that shy awkward girl with Jake. And I love how he insists on intruding in her life and being there for her.
The resolution — as in what brought Fleur and Jake together — was terrific, and I’d love read or see a cameo appearance by any of these characters. I recommend this book to anyone who loves Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ writing (and who doesn’t?) as well as readers of contemporary romance, or simply anyone looking for a great new read.
Grade: A-
Summary:
Welcome to the world of the Glitter Baby
Fleur Savagar is the most beautiful woman in the world . . . to everyone but herself. With her oversized hands and paddle-boat feet, her streaky blond hair and funny green eyes, she lives a life filled with secrets that began before she was born. That was when her bewitching mother left home to find James Dean and met Errol Flynn instead. Now Fleur has to grow up quickly, and life won’t make that easy.
Jake Koranda is both New York’s most brilliant playwright and Hollywood’s hottest actor. Difficult, talented, and tormented, he has no patience for international glamour girls, not even ones with beautiful bodies and smart-aleck mouths. But there’s more to the Glitter Baby than shine, and Fleur’s tougher than Jake expects. Even with the odds stacked against her, she’s fiercely determined to discover the woman she’s destined to be.
An ugly duckling who can’t believe she’s turned into a swan . . . A tough-guy movie star with a haunted past . . . In a land of broken dreams, can two unlikely lovers trust their hearts?
Read an excerpt here.
There are some of SEP’s books that I love to bits and some that I really dislike. This is the first that managed to do both, hated the parts of Belinda and Alex, liked Fleur, in fact I would have been quite happy with just Fleur and lost the first half of the book. In some ways it was more womens fiction to me rather than a straightforward romance. Incidentally, I have never understood my anyone liked “ain’t she sweet” a book where I would have quite happily drop kicked most of the cast off a high cliff as immature whingers and that includes the “hero”.
For the record I do not think I edited this at all so if someone screwed with it…
it was limesssssssssssssssssss fault
cuz that nifty roll over thing no worky
bad lime, bad bad
GWEN! fix it
HelenB – I agree with you – this definitely was more women’s fiction in my mind. I kept thinking “Where’s the romance?!?!” so it was the last few chapters that did it for me… And I didn’t love the Belinda/Alexi parts either. It was… I dunno. It was weird as hell and like two completely different stories. Separate, maybe I’d like it more.
Ain’t She Sweet isn’t one of my favorites – though I own it. But the one I dislike most is First Lady, so don’t even get me started on how unhappy I am that Lucy is being paired with Teddy.
Sybil – *headdesk* apparently I have review/code eating abilities? Haha – sorry Gwen – honest – no idea what happened.
yyyyooooooouuuuuuuu gonna be in trouble
And Glitter Baby isn’t a romance it is label Fiction. Just saying 😉
ohhhhh and just noticed you have this labeled contemp romance I should prolly fix that LOL, THAT I know how to fix. I have been fixing posts from like 2006 and such. Why I don’t know since we are prolly going fuck them all up again when we move the template.
But I can’t seem to sit still. And oh look I am rambling. leaving now…
😛 Well I wouldn’t know about that, considering…
And :\ I know. I’m always in trouble with you, or Gwen, or both. My life isn’t complete without being in that state these days.
It’s important when reading this book to remember that it was written in the 1980s. Fans shouldn’t compare it to how SEP writes today. This is women’s fiction, whereas her books today have more romance and humor. That said, I liked this book. I especially enjoyed the scene where Jake gives Fleur the cookbook and then the necklace. He can never quite bring himself to admit his feelings for Fleur. After a subsequent argument, it’s another sweet scene where Jake chases after Fleur’s car to again give her back the necklace. As for Belinda, I don’t think she’s a sociopath. While she’s a selfish and rotten mother and definitely has mental issues, the sociopath is Alexi. Belinda is a groupie and only cares about her proximity to any celebrity. She can’t fathom why her daughter wouldn’t feel the same way.
Finally, What I Did For Love was a great read, too. The Korandas are mentioned quite often in What I Did For Love. In fact, Jake and Fleur’s daughter is Georgie’s best friend. So if you enjoyed Glitter Baby, read WIDFL.
Sybil – I hope you’re around when I get back because I have a looooooot of questions. And I just tried looking it up on amazon – this is labeled as a romance. And on the publisher website there’s no indication of genre – but isn’t Avon the “romance” section of Harper Collins?
Kim – Ack I .. don’t know that I remember the cookbook, but I do remember the necklace. Also – I thought about it a bit – but Belinda just has no idea about… emotions and impact. So… sociopath. Alexi, on the other hand, does it to be cruel, putting him in psychopath territory. Of course, that’s just the way I viewed them – because… normal healthy human beings aren’t like that. (And I admit I’m toeing the line on taking it one step too far in my description. But really now.)
As for What I Did For Love … I want it. Something fishy is going on too – Sybil!!!
What does SEP have it listed as on her website?
I only did a quick glance, but she doesn’t have a genre posted – neither “fiction” nor “women’s fiction” nor “romance” – at least not on the book list page.
I skimmed alot in this book, mostly through Belinda and Alexi’s scenes. Even then, only the last few chapters hooked me into the story. I think I’ll wait for the paperback copy of WIDFL to come out.
Well Tabitha you have to remember GB was done FOREVER ago. And only re-edit a bit. I haven’t bought myself to read it yet. Because I have MUCH love for this book. I read it pre-edit back in the day when I read trash… I honeslty had no clue I had read SEP when I started reading romance.
I owned this book for YEARS and had it until it was seriously falling apart. My exhusband laughed at me cuz it was rubberbanded together it was sooooo falling apart *g*.
But I loved it ;). It was my fave along with a few Jackie Collins (LOVED Rock Star!) and a couple Sidney Sheldon’s and Judith K’ Scruples (the sequel blew chunks).
It has always amused me to no end that people who don’t read romance call it trashy because to me it is the farthest thing from it. Meaningly sex, soapy sex and glitz… hell what is on tv all the time is trashy. What we have today in a hella lot of YA novels is boarderline trashy… but romance… no – not really.
And I would be happy to explain that to a few RITA judges but that is another post.
anyway I have a post I have been trying to find where it dawned on me that my beloved book (that I THREW away when it lost some pages – WAS WORTH like 30 bucks or something – was THE SUSAN ELIZABETH PHILLIPS – and harder to find than a good man) ::SOB::
sorry, the point being this is an old book, reissued for people like me – read it for what it is but the book coming out now judge it on its own. We should have a review soon. YES LIME I will check to see where the hell your copy is so you can review it for these curious folks.
check back tabitha 😉
plus I think lime has a few copies to give away but I should check on that since she doesn’t seem to have even her copy
Limecello – The cookbook and necklace scene occurred at the dinner party that Fleur invited Jake to. He gave her The Joy of Cooking and then slipped the necklace on her neck. It’s the same party where Jake stumbled on Fleur and Kissy watching Butch Cassidy
Sybil – When you read the new version, I ‘d be interested in which version you prefer. I never read the original, so I wonder what you think of the changes. SEP listed them on her site and felt that today’s readers would have problems with a certain relationship. I won’t be any clearer in case it’s considered a spoiler.
Kim – ah thanks. I remember the cookbook now, but for some reason I was thinking Jake gave Fleur the necklace in the pre 8 year split part. That scene where Fleur and Kissy were watching Butch Cassidy is sooo cute. And now I have to watch that film 😛
>>What we have today in a hella lot of YA novels is boarderline trashy… but romance… no – not really.
But fortunately there’s a hella lot of YA that isn’t trashy at all to balance it out.
I know you need to start reviewing more of it. I think I have decided on Saturday being the YA day. And we need to narrow down a few publishers to focus on me think. LOL but prolly not in this thread *g*
… I don’t think I even read YA. Well… only old school -otherwise I went straight from kiddie/Newbery to … Crichton/Grishom and classics. O_o
Unless Voigt, and Pike, and LJ Smith count. Which… I think they do. I’d so re-read them. 😀
Sybil, Glitter Baby isn’t all that bad. After all, it managed to keep me reading til the end. It’s just that the book isn’t like all of SEP’s other books and I understand that it was one of her earlier works. I’m interesting in hearing how much the story was edited from its original release.
It amuses and annoy me when people who don’t read romance — never even tried a chapter much less a book — call it trashy. I’ve had some male friends refer to it as porn just because there are sex scenes in the books. Heck, they shouldn’t be talking because I know they watch porn in their own time…I guess it’s okay for guys to watch but not for the ladies to read about?? Jerks…
Anyhow, I’ll be back. 🙂 I’m constantly here, but usually more lurker than commenter.
Tabitha – delurk! We always love keeping up the conversation. 😀 From what I gather, Glitter Baby wasn’t too heavily edited. The content is the same other than one detail – and some clunky things taken out – a bit more character development.
And yes, I hate it when people say “trashy romance novels” and call them all “bodice rippers.” Ugh.
heeeeeeee from what kim said there is one major thing
cuz I said to lime in chat does she mean ‘this’ and lime was all omg they didn’t and went off to check SEP message board where she has a list of the differences
I started to think I remembered wrong and was all uh maybe not…
but dude my memory was rockin
I can’t read it right now need to finish Highland Warrior, which I am almost done with (had a slow start for me – I blame sandy). But hope to get to it this week. From what I read on the message board – yes I went there I do distract easy… I can’t help it it is very much the same as it was when she wrote it in the 80’s.
It is very much women’s fiction. And the new book is contemporary romance but hey before you spend money on it make lime read it *eg*.
Lol – yes I was like “what?!? No, she didn’t” – but yes… she did. (And I can see that…)
And – to everyone – I’m happy to be your reading guinea pig… to a point.
The cover image is fixed. The culprit is editing in the Visual Editor but not waiting for the image to compile before you edit and hit save to get out of the post. You have to let the software do its thing and compile the full image before doing your thing and then hitting save.
I wish I had the ability to go in and look at it now- but alas no go. Seriously – dunno why we have these issues with my posts. I’m not killing them!
The new cover is so much better. Forget the shoulder pads, the entire original cover is so dark looking. It doesn’t even represent Hollywood, whereas the new cover looks like a Hollywood premiere.
Yay, I can see the old cover of GB now…and, um, I like the current one better just because it goes with the title more.
I’m glad to hear that not much of the plot was changed from the old one…like when JM “Whitney My Love” was re-released and also revised I didn’t see much difference…or maybe I just didn’t pay that much attention to the details.
Kim – I agree. Although sometimes the retro covers are are lot of fun. Generally the 80s styles are best forgotten, IMHO.
Tabitha – I like the newer one stoo – and, haha I don’t think there are many differences to this one – not bad ones anyway. I’ve never read “My Love” – but hey, sometimes not remembering is good, right?
I still heart this book, the editing didn’t do much but it did seem sort of odd. She should have edited it a bit more to fit the ‘thing’ she took out.