Pamela Anderson's recent tome is unlikely to toll any bells in the halls of academia. It has possibly seen many people pick it up from the shelf solely because of the provocative cover and the stellar name of the author. It is worth reading for other aspects though.
For one, a roman a clef with vignettes of the love life between Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson is hard to avoid, despite the multiplicity of visual images and leaked Internet videos. Furthermore, this could be titled 'In which Star gives those paparazzi what they deserve' - much blood is shed in the name of privacy. Even more ink is spilt detailing thinly what Jackie Collins and others did with much mirth - the lifestyles of the rich and famous are less about glamour and more about ducking the public scrutiny, near-permanent narcissistic states and obsessive hangers-on, stereotypical entourage members and frothy interludes with sex, drugs & rock'n'roll.
The story, as it were, describes the movement through marriage of Star and her ardent rock star lover-turned husband, Jimi. Their desire for privacy leads them to cut off a few persistent followers, while the pressures of fame and media drive subtle wedges into their relationship. They neglect to look closely for serpents in the grass, culminating in a rambunctious climax, pun intended, and perhaps wish-fulfilment for Pamela in re Tommy Lee.
The writing is sometimes unconsciously satirical, often deliberately sleazy. The characters are not expressive of more than a couple of shades of the rainbow, mostly the vibrant ones. Ludicrous sub-plots serve to set up tense moments which fizzle out with little bang. As is par for the course, there is a focus on homoeroticism expressed as stereotypical bit parts.
Other reasons to read the book include Ms. Anderson's undeniable charisma. Authors often complain that poor book sales are because of low public awareness of the author. Not in this case - her career as a model and star has provided her more than enough mindshare in the fickle public mind. One wishes she had pulled back the curtain and given us a feckless perspective on a life richly lived, or is that lived richly? Instead one has to settle for trite platitudes and numerous passionate moments. The microcosm of society in question is richly detailed. Star goes through much tumultuous experiences in the book, yet there is no catharsis.
Article comments
1 - swingingpuss
Insightful review, the book was amateur writing at best and did not hold my attention beyond page three.
Goes to show that one should not get carried away by the best seller status as there could be other reasons driving the sales up and not the crummy writing.
2 - El Bicho
Did you mean "Tommy Lee Jones", the actor?
3 - Aaman
Tommy Lee, ex-Motley Crue
4 - aacool
That picture is stunning
5 - Joanie
I don't know that I could get through the whole book, but the excerpt I read was actually fairly funny.
6 - Marcia L. Neil
It is prudent to always remember the fact of book-making schemes, and influence networks that schedule their respondents' daily lives perhaps with just such a purposeful intent. As a consequence of a telephone call-demand strategy, a response from a disabled woman who indicated preference to have a book (from the library) rather than some 'position' with Maria Shriver (as example) was used full-steam to negotiate a book deal.
7 - beadtot
Addendum: Ms. Anderson's book bears a 'suggested' title, which is why a book-making scheme can be suspected and concern for her health be justified.
8 - Aaman
What is a book-making scheme?
9 - kate
i have recently finished reading star the first book about pamela anderson, would you guys recommend reading star struck?