High Society: The Life of Grace Kelly

I have probably read most of the books written on Grace ever since her untimely death in 1982. I never expected to read new information but within these pages I found much. It's well written with details that intrigue. Interesting takes on the plot lines of her movies and what she hoped to accomplish with her career as she undertook each role. This is a must read for any Princess Grace fan. I found many of her ideas and actions completely understandable, making a lot of sense in view of some of the many accusations that have been made since her death. It was believable and real to comprehend her marriage, her wishes for her lost career in Hollywood and yet her desires as a mother and wife. It was a treat to read and absorb.

An entertaining, well written biography of Princess Grace. The book is a respectful retelling of the Princess Grace myth. Considering the sordid rumors which have plagued Grace’s life, myth, and reputation, it is good to read a calm assessment of a her talent and her contribution to the arts. Non sensational, the book is something Princess Grace would have been proud of.

She was extraordinary,one of my favorite actress.So beautiful,and to live a restricted life as a princess

Donald Spoto's new biography of Grace Kelly is a well-written account of Kelly's life, with a special emphasis on her acting career. He bookends his solid accounts of her films, Broadway, and television work with info about her private life. I think most readers of Spoto's book will have already read other biographies of her entire life and so not mind the emphasis on her career. Spoto's a good writer. He had a long-term friendship with Kelly and she talked to him over the years about her life and career, asking only that he wait twenty-five years to publish what she told him. The book seems restrained about her private life - particularly because other biographers have written about her supposedly voracious propensity to have affairs with her leading men. Spoto writes that most of the speculation about her sex life is just that - speculation - and was not true in most cases. Spoto's obvious regard for his subject does not extend to fawning over her. Because he was concentrating on her career, I think it was easy for him to avoid making conjectures about her private life. I read the book in one sitting - it's not long - and came away with a very good appreciation of her career.

A wonderful book which gives a very background look into Princess Grace's life! I'm looking forward reading additional books about her;!

I read Donald Spoto's first book when it came out in 1976, to which Princess Grace generously contributed a foreword, and I have read many of his books since. I'll have to say, as someone who has also read a number of other biographical books about Grace Kelly, this one does seem like something of a labor of love (being very restrained in its speculations), which is not all that bad, I suppose, considering that some of those other books probably adopt too lurid a view of Grace Kelly's Hollywood romances. If some of the omissions are surprising (no mention of Mark Miller, of Grace turned off by Gable's false teeth, of William Holden's trip to Philadelphia to meet the Kelly family and their cold treatment of him, of Grace's quite commendable candor to Gwen Robyns about her love affairs), Mr. Spoto has other things to contribute from his many interviews with Princess Grace and others (like Hitchcock) who knew her. His analytical comments on her films are also excellent (especially on HIGH NOON). He quotes Hitchcock on the essential "anti-cinematic" nature of 3D movies (which was how DIAL M FOR MURDER was filmed) and is consistently interesting on the background topics of the mores and customs of the Fifties. His view about the canceled plans for Grace to do MARNIE are contrary to those of others, but he makes his case convincing (I would say). Mr. Spoto's book is not in the least bit gossipy, and it's smart and enjoyably written (though the word "inchoate" turns up at least three or four times, annoyingly starting to seem like a word admiring itself in the mirror).

This is such a great biography of Princess Grace. It was very informative and was an awesome book about Grace’s life. I learned a lot about Grace Kelly as a movie star and about the movies she was in. The book is mostly about America’s Grace Kelly, but the last chapter or so gives quite a bit of information about her once she became Princess Grace of Monaco. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Grace. It showed and represented her personality very well. Most of the information is from Grace herself, and quite a bit of the book is quotes from her. The book was absolutely amazing and shows who Grace really was.

Missing about her family--more on husband and there is nothing about three children.

A very engaging book, especially if you enjoy the golden eta.

A revealing story for those who didn't see enough of Grace and would like her to shine in yet another role.

tells you all about her life

Still reading it but so far I really enjoy it, extremely well written.

Did not impress me but then this is not my usual reading genre. Lots of information about her movies, most of the book could have come from the public domain.