What are you currently reading?
Flesh and Blood by Michael Cunningham
What did you just finish reading?
A Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
Fairies by Skye Alexander
My Days with Princess Grace of Monaco by Joan Dale
What do you think you’ll read next?
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
I Grew My Boobs in China by Savannah Grace
A Storm of Swords by George RR Martin
What are you currently reading?
Fairies by Skye Alexander
What did you just finish reading?
My Days with Princess Grace of Monaco by Joan Dale
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
Tolkien by Devin Brown
What do you think you’ll read next?
Clash of Kings by George RR Martin
The Iron Locket by Samantha Warren
Flesh and Blood by Michael Cunningham
Grace Kelly, as a child born in the late 80s, is just a vague celebrity. Everyone knows who she is–that gorgeous blonde actress who really did meet and marry her Prince Charming. I know she was tragically killed before her time. Really though…that’s about it.
My Days with Princess Grace of Monaco is a very sweet and sentimental description of the “Happily Ever After” days of Princess Grace’s life. In other words, what came after the wedding. Joan Dale’s memoir is filled with letters and tales of parties, clothes, and child-rearing. There are no scandals here, although there is some heartbreak. Dale desperately wants you to know the good woman Grace Kelly was, the hidden side, that the cameras did not see.
One thing that struck me about this book is the modesty that Joan Dale had. In every letter back to her parents, even after years of friendship and familiarity, she just keeps saying, “Well, they sure must like us if they keep having us around!” This is so different from what would be expected now. She was always grateful for the royal attention and friendship, and never took it for granted.
I did get a little bored halfway through…but I am not a mother, so the childrearing phase of life did nothing for me. Also, the organization of the book frustrated me some. Joan and Martin’s letters were published as a whole, but “G&R’s” letters were just bits and pieces thrown in a paragraph. I would think it would be the other way around–that Joan would have actually had their letters kept? Maybe she wasn’t allowed to publish them. It just bothered my organizational sense. If you’re going to print a whole letter, don’t skimp on the reply!
It was interesting to read about Princess Grace’s life from a dear friend of hers. I would have liked to read more about the romance…but Joan had not known her then. Maybe I’ll have to look that up!
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from NetGalley in return for review.
What are you currently reading?
A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin
What did you just finish reading?
Tolkien by Devin Brown
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
What do you think you’ll read next?
Michal by Jill Eileen Smith
My Days with Princess Grace of Monaco by Joan Dale
Fairies by Skye Alexander
As I Lay Reading 