A wonderfully cheerful and rousing story told by one of Hollywood’s best
actresses on 352 pages full of humour, wit, charism, charm, love, sorrow, entertainment, lots
of photos and much much more. This book is the one and only chance to get to know a
different Joan Collins- one might say “new” Joan Collins because you always tend to identify
her with her characters she has played but here she proves you wrong.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Second Act
2. Career and Hollywood Life
3. The Random House Trial
4. Personal Triumphs and Tragedies
5. Behind the Scenes of Dynasty
6. Personal Reflections and Encounters
Target and Research Scope
The primary objective of this review is to analyze Joan Collins' autobiography, Second Act, exploring how the author reconstructs her public persona and addresses the dichotomy between her celebrity status and private reality.
- The intersection of professional achievement and private hardship.
- Narrative techniques in autobiographical storytelling.
- The impact of public image versus personal identity.
- Analysis of the author's transition from screen icon to author.
Excerpt from the Book
The Ups and Downs of a Star
Second Act begins with a striking expression- stage fright! ‘These words strike terror into the hearts of most performers’ and that certainly came true for Joan Collins when she starts off her book by telling how it felt like to be awarded an O.B.E. from the Queen in March 1997. Furthermore, Collins being proud that she won the lawsuit against Random House, she devotes a whole chapter on the Random House trial, which is entertaining and proves that writing well is the best revenge because she was sued of allegdly having no talent for writing because of handing in a weak manuscript and she therefore was supposed to repay her million-dollar advance.
Collins also gives insight on meeting her teenage idols like Marilyn Monroe. When Collins was younger she used to write to her idols and favourite actors to get autographed pictures and when she first got to Hollywood in the 1950s, she was suddenly there where all her favourite celebrities were. Although she was shy and she never dreamed of being anywhere near her favourite film stars, she was delighted to finally meet the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe in person at a party. At this point, Collins trys to cast her spell over her audiences by applying her unique British wit and humour. She was warned by Marilyn, ‘don’t let the studio guys dictate to you’ and because Collins as well as Monroe had a big bosom, she said, ‘any gal who looks like she’s hot stuff in the sack will never be taken seriously in this town’.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction to Second Act: Provides an overview of the publication history of the autobiography and the author's intent to focus on introspection rather than superficial revelations.
2. Career and Hollywood Life: Discusses the author's early life in London and her trajectory toward becoming an international screen icon.
3. The Random House Trial: Covers the legal battle regarding her manuscript and the author's successful defense of her writing ability.
4. Personal Triumphs and Tragedies: Details the emotional challenges in the author's private life, including her daughter's accident and the loss of close acquaintances.
5. Behind the Scenes of Dynasty: Examines her pivotal role as Alexis Carrington Colby and her professional relationships within the entertainment industry.
6. Personal Reflections and Encounters: Highlights anecdotes about personal relationships, including her interaction with Madonna and reflections on her fourth marriage.
Keywords
Joan Collins, Second Act, Autobiography, Dynasty, Hollywood, Random House, Memoir, Celebrity Culture, Alexis Carrington Colby, Marilyn Monroe, Introspection, Entertainment, Biography, Literature, Screen icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this work?
The work acts as a critical review of Joan Collins' autobiography, Second Act, examining her life as an actress and public figure.
What are the main thematic pillars discussed?
The themes include the author's Hollywood career, the legal conflict with her publisher, personal family tragedies, and anecdotes about various celebrities.
What is the author's goal in writing this book?
The author aims to present a more introspective and authentic version of herself, moving beyond the public perception defined by her screen characters.
What methodology does the reviewer employ?
The reviewer employs a qualitative content analysis approach, evaluating the narrative tone and the thematic structure of the autobiography.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers a chronological and thematic tour of Collins' life, from her upbringing in London to her experiences on the set of Dynasty.
Which keywords define this text?
Key terms include autobiography, Hollywood, Dynasty, introspection, celebrity, and narrative.
How does the author deal with her past marriages?
She uses the book as a platform to candidly share her version of the story, particularly concerning her fourth ex-husband, Peter Holm.
How does the text characterize the author's encounter with Madonna?
The reviewer highlights this as a highlight, noting the author's amusement at Madonna's lack of table manners and her distinct personality.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Magister Anke Werckmeister (Autor:in), 2006, Book Review: 'Second Act' - The Ups and Downs of a Star (Joan Collins), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/202920
