Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale

by Pamela Hamilton

A moving portrait of Dorothy Hale, the legendary 1930s socialite immortalized in one of Frida Kahlo's most celebrated paintings. In her vibrant debut novel Pamela Hamilton delivers glamour, romance, tragedy, a close and stormy friendship with famed playwright and Vogue and Vanity Fair editor Clare Boothe Luce and the enchanting story of a woman navigating a world of incredible wealth and power in New York, Paris, Hollywood, and grand estates of the Gold Coast-a perfect book club read. "Magnificent. An enthralling and heartbreaking journey." -Bill Dedman, Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times #1 bestselling author of Empty Mansions Lady Be Good transports us to the glittering, sumptuous era of 1920s New York to follow the life of aspiring actress Dorothy Hale as she comes of age. Breaking societal rules imposed on women, "Peck's Bad Girl of Pittsburgh Society" leaves behind her privileged world for the bright lights of Broadway to chase her dream. From convent school debutante runaway to Ziegfeld showgirl to Hollywood star, Hale transforms herself into one of the most adored figures in the highest echelons of society. Yet behind the public façade the darling of the press contends with heart-rending loss, gossip and betrayal, and a tempestuous friendship with Luce. Surrounded by her fabulous circle of friends-Gertrude Stein, Fred Astaire, Cole Porter, James Roosevelt, Elsa Maxwell, and other iconic figures-Dorothy finds her way to the other side of heartbreak and prepares for a White House wedding. Then, suddenly, at age thirty-three, at the height of happiness and peak of her fame, she falls to her death. Her life story is revised and written into history by the tabloids and the famed and fêted-leading to this novel's stunning conclusion. Former NBC producer Pamela Hamilton turns her journalism skills on discovering the facts about Dorothy Hale's story, then spins them with color and life into breathtaking revelations about the irresistible and misunderstood glamour girl whose legend has endured for more than half a century.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2021

About the author

Pamela Hamilton is an award-winning author who has worked with notable figures in business, US intelligence, music, and the arts, and has covered some of the most significant events of the twenty-first century. For more than a decade she was a producer for NBC News, and she was a producer on the award-winning documentary Grateful Dawg. Based in Manhattan, she serves on the board of the Society of Professional Journalists' Deadline Club. Her debut novel, Lady Be Good, is drawn from original research.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is an intriguing, entertaining look at the life of Dorothy Hale, the IT girl forever immortalized in a Frida Kahlo painting. Set in New York, in the roaring 20s, this novel is full of glitz, glamour, and Hollywood drama and gossip. Hale rubbed elbows with the likes of Fred Astaire and other Broadway stars in her rise to fame, before an unfortunate accident stalled her budding career.

Written with precise storytelling and in-depth insight, this novel pulls the reader into the life of Hale’s from the beginning chapter. Fans of old Hollywood and memoirs will really enjoy this entertaining tale of Hale’s life. There are bits of romance and flairs of the dramatics to keep the story moving at a good pace.

I would recommend this novel to fans of “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

I wasn't familiar with Dorothy Hale's name before starting this book, but at the end I was interested enough that I actually Googled her and looked for more information.
I think "interested" is the key word here, because while I thought her story to be interesting, I wasn't really entertained.
But let's start from the beginning. We're in the late 20s early 30s - between the US and a few European countries. Dorothy comes from a rich family, but she runs away to become a dancer. After managing to get a role, she'll move up the ladder in the society of that time. She'll get married a couple of times (I don't think these are spoilers since well many people might already know her story) and engaged three. She'll make friends with important people and be involved in parties, scandals, politics, etc. This book is filled with names I've at least heard mentioned once or twice. Not having studied much American history, I wasn't too familiar with them, but I think other people might appreciate the author's evident work in researching the information she writes about.
As I said, Dorothy's life was interesting. That's for sure. There are a couple of reasons though why I decided to give this book 3.5 stars. First of all, as mentioned above, I wasn't really entertained. While there were so many people in this book, it seemed to me that it was difficult to differentiate between all of them. Especially Dorothy's friends; they all got confused in my head and I could never tell, besides Clare or Isamu, what each one of them had done. The atmosphere the author created was on point, and I think it reflected the society of that time very well, but the dialogues and the characters themselves felt a little flat. I mean, while we got to see the moment Dorothy meets her first husband, the second one (the important one if I can say so) just arrived out of nowhere and I was left to wonder how exactly they fell in love. Same thing for fiancé #3. I just felt like everything could have been written in a way that'd make the reader care about the characters. It wasn't the case for me, but maybe it's just my own personal opinion.
The second point I'd like to make, and this is more objective if you want, is: if you want to put other languages in a book (French and Italian in this case) you need to make sure what you write is correct. I can't say anything for French, though some phrases felt a bit off, but the Italian sentences were just incorrect. I can understand Dorothy as an American not being able to speak perfect Italian, but when she went to Italy there were actual Italians speaking and what they said hadn't been translated well.
Anyway, this book was still interesting and I do think if you don't know Italian or you are used to books that arent very character-driven, you'll enjoy this!

[C.P. Lesley]

The name of Dorothy Hale is not well known these days. In the 1920s, she enjoyed a career on Broadway as a dancer, including in a leading role with Fred Astaire. When an accidental injury ended that career, she auditioned, successfully, for the filmmaker Samuel Goldwyn and landed a part opposite Ronald Coleman, who would later star in Lost Horizon. But Dorothy’s film career did not take off, and she moved into art, writing, and museum work in support of her second husband, Gardner Hale, a well-known fresco painter and portraitist, until his tragic death in 1931.

Dorothy survived the stock-market crash of 1929 with her wealth intact and remained a light of New York society into the 1930s. Her closest friend—Clare Boothe, who married Henry Luce in 1935—branched out from an active career in magazine publishing, including a stint as managing editor of Vanity Fair, to write and produce a Broadway play titled The Women. The play lampooned members of their social circle, evoking both amusement and outrage. Dorothy Hale then starred in Boothe Luce’s next play, Abide with Me. When Hale fell to her death from the window of her apartment building in October 1938, Boothe Luce commissioned a commemorative painting from their mutual friend Frida Kahlo.

This painting, The Suicide of Dorothy Hale (1939), was the spark that lit the imagination of Pamela Hamilton, a long-time producer for NBC News. She began to research Hale’s life and death and uncovered the kind of anomalies that delight both fiction and nonfiction writers. For reasons explained in this interview, Hamilton decided to turn her findings and her speculations about their meaning into a novel, and Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale is the result. Against the backdrop of New York high society, the Algonquin Set, the art world, and politics under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, this novel paints a picture of a vivacious, determined woman and offers an alternative vision of her final hours.

Interview with the author at New Books in Historical Fiction.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"LADY BE GOOD: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale", a debut novel by Pamela Hamilton.

Set in the 1920's and 30's, this is the story of Dorothy Hale, actress, dancer, socialite, writer, sculpter, lover of the arts from New York. This is the story of her loves, her heartbreaks, her fame and her tragic ending.
This is historical fiction at its best.

Wonderful book I could hardly put down.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Nicole Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review of Lady Be Good by Nicole Harmon
Title: Lady Be Good The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale
Author: Pamela Hamilton
Publish Date: 2021
Publisher: PLH Media LLC
Genre: Historical Fiction
Book blurb: "They say even in death, Dorothy Hale was one of the beautiful women of New York." Loc 106

Summary
Dorothy Hale was born into a world of privilege raised in a well-off family. She, however, wanted to create a name for herself but with her family's approval. That was not to happen when Dorothy chose acting and dancing as her career. She did not excel at any particular part of those careers. She, Dorothy, did work with Fred and Adele Astaire on a play on Broadway. Funnily enough, the title of the play was Lady Be Good.
Friendly with the dancers that she collaborated with, she also developed a rapport with some other very well-known women such as Clare Boothe Luce, Maggie Case, Elsa Maxwell, Count Edwina Mountbatten- to name a few. She managed to marry well until her suicide in New York following a party she had given before her nuptials to another well-known man-Harry Hopkins, WPA administrator to President Roosevelt.
Gardner Hale, her second husband, was the great love of her life, and Harry Hopkins, the fiancé, may have been the second. Gardner and Dorothy were very compatible. She was a painter Gardner's manager.
When Gardner Hale died, Dorothy was at a loose end professionally and personally. But his death did not make her destitute. When she was ready to re-enter society, she did it with some friends while keeping her late husband's art at the forefront of society's minds.
Ever since her involvement with Harry Hopkins and the investigation/hearings during the New Deal with President Roosevelt, Dorothy attempted to keep a low profile when requested. However, that did not prevent her home, the one she shared with the late artist Gardner Hale, from being vandalized. Her attorney called and told her when it happened to suggest that the thief was looking for something. Paranoia setting in, Dorothy made sure to hide her papers and important belongings from prying eyes.
The night of her suicide, Dorothy had thrown a party that read like the high society register of the times. Many showed and drank, all the while having a wonderful time. When the party was over Dorothy, went back up into her room only to be followed by an unknown man. He attempted to either strangle her or warn her that he wanted her to give him something by seven o 'clock in the evening the next day. Fearing for her life, Dorothy planned to stay with a friend writing a letter detailing what to do with her funds sending it to a friend via the mail. She, however, did not survive. While attempting to hide her papers, she fell to her death out of a window in her apartment.
Analysis:
I want to start this analysis with another book blurb. It is this:
"Okay, darling, listen closely. In life's difficult moments, I want you to think of your ballet -how your feet ache with blisters and your legs throb with soreness and you can't turn one more time. But on you go. I've seen with my own eyes how you smile into pain and you finish the dance beautifully. In the end, you're always glad that you did. Always smile when your heart is breaking, and dance away the pain." Loc 419
This quote sums up this novel excellently. Reading historical fiction keeps your mind open and your knowledge growing. I read it to maintain a wide range of topics in my repertoire of books. It can make for interesting conversation. I give this book a rating of (5) five.
Why do you ask? I liked the basic- storyline. It was simple. Woman commits suicide after-party due to being unhappy and at a loose end in life. As I read, I do discover more. This woman was a socialite who was well known but not according to some good at much. Keeping in mind that this was also fiction (a made-up story), I did not expect to have a lot of history to read. I was surprised at how she used people and events to stick to the timeline of Dorothy Hale's life leading up to her suicide.
I digress. A fictionalized glimpse into Dorothy's life develops as the story continues. She wanted to succeed, leave her mark, and marry the man of her dreams with whom she resides until death. Those dreams were not to be. The love of her life, Gardner Hale, passed in a horrific car accident on his way to an event. Leaving her devastated, we see the portrait of a distraught and lonely widow. Anyone can agree that she was indeed a distraught widow.
When she comes back to her social life, it's to bring her late husbands' work to everyone's eyes. Again, most of us can relate when we look upon something similar on the small television screen.
As chance would have it, old friend Clare Boothe Luce was there to help her and introduce her to new friends and men, some of which she connected. Once again finding love, she is ready to attempt the walk down the aisle again, only to die before it happens. Coincidence or deliberate avoidance?
Some say Dorothy planned her suicide as she wrote a note before the actual fall. Some felt that her life became a footnote way earlier than her death.
This book just encompassed delightful storytelling and research. The author's use of other well-known historical figures lent authenticity to the storyline. Even a fictional account became believed to me as I read the rest of the book. I especially liked that (you will see) the pictures of the parties are available to see. These are real people used in the story.
It was an easy read for me within six days. I believe that you too will enjoy this novel. If interested, you should check out the wine section of your liquor store and match your favorite vintage with this book. Sip while you read.
I bought this book and am leaving a review here.

[Strawberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Anu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Be Good reads like a murder mystery although it is a work of historical fiction. Even though Dorothy Hale was a beloved socialite during the Roaring Twenties, she was largely forgotten and her name was relegated as a footnote in the story of a much more famous woman - Frida Kahlo. The latter having created a painting about Dorothy’s suicide. It’s a shame that there isn’t more literature about Dorothy Hale and, hence, I’m glad that Pamela Hamilton decided to immortalize her in this book.

Dorothy Hale lived a storied life that was marred by sorrows, loss and scandal. Yet, she was a brave woman who dared to carve her own space and make a name for herself in a male-dominated society. She broke free from the social mores of her privileged upbringing and followed her dreams of becoming a dancer. Even when her career ended abruptly due to an injury, she later managed to transform into an artist and actress.

She manages to find true love with her second husband - Gardner Hale, but his life is cut short by a fatal car accident merely two years into their marriage. Pamela Hamilton is able to craft an engrossing, fictional account of their marriage. I appreciated the way the author portrayed the wedded bliss the couple enjoyed. The stark difference in both of Dorothy’s marriages is cleverly played up by the author.

The book is packed with personalities that made up the crème-de-la-crème of society in the Jazz era. Their dizzying lives, excessive riches and lofty ambitions make for an intriguing read. Dorothy Hale rubbed shoulders with some of the most well-known people of her era - Cole Porter, Fred Astaire, Clare Boothe, etc. and yet we know so little of her.

It’s clear that the author researched extensively to find all the facts that she could to give us a faithful representation of Dorothy Hale. Of course, she used fiction to fill in the gaps and elevate the story. The first part of the book was a bit boring and some of the conversations between Dorothy and Gaillard seemed out of place. It’s hard to believe that she would break out into such rhapsodic dialogues during banal conversations that couples have.

Thankfully, the book upped the ante from part 2 onwards and the last chapter describing her last hours was truly captivating. Pamela Hamilton skilfully manages to avoid speculation as to what really happened to Dorothy. I really hope that she’ll decide to write more about the other colourful characters in this book someday.

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Frida Kahlo know Dorothy Hale from Kahlo's infamous, 1938 painting, The Suicide of Dorothy Hale, created as a gift for Dorothy's mother. Friends felt the post-mortem portrait depicting Dorothy's leap and fall from her16th floor apartment located at Hampshire House to be vulgar and inappropriate, so Dorothy's mother was never gifted the painting. However, it is an important part of the Kahlo oeuvre with its eerie subject matter and depiction of Dorothy plunging head first through feathery clouds to her death on the sidewalk below. Now, that famous black-gowned and yellow rose-adorned corpse finds life in this fascinating read that blends novel and biography in a story that explores more than her untimely end at 33.
Hamilton's meticulous research paired with her knack for stoytelling and character creation produces a work of superb quality. Though readers are told from the beginning of Dorothy's sad end, they still root for her to overcome the obstacles of life: her husband's death, a failing career, and the necessity of living on the charity of friends. The author paints such a picture that one can almost feel the October breeze on caress them through the 16th floor open window. Almost as intriguing as the novel, is the epilogue, addendum, and Author's notes. Certainly, this work is a labor of love that captivates readers as Dorothy captivated Hamilton. For fans of a well-written story, biographies, and Kahlo alike, this is a must
read.

[Denise Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale by author, Pamela Hamilton
(Debut Novel)

Lady Be Good is a captivating story of the posh, the glitzy and glamorous, along with the fractured and tragic, during a time when social standing and status were held above everything else...

As Dorothy, a Ziegfeld Follies showgirl~ vivacious, classy, and admired by all those around her, ultimately makes her way into a life of the privileged as an actress and on to becoming an American Socialite, Ms. Hamilton takes the reader deeper through her imagination and meticulous research to create a story based on true events that intrigued me as much as how this particular story actually came to be!

Through the author's insight, colorful characters, a dash of wit along with the elegant yet tarnished backdrop of the loved, and the lost, this story is a seamless journey as the life and death of Dorothy Hale unfolds... A story that until now, I was unaware of.

I thank Ms. Hamilton for allowing me the opportunity to go back in time to a period in history that is not only one of my favorites, but by shining the light on this most unique and vibrant story with the additional twist of the fictional that added yet another level of reading enjoyment in all the right places.

4 Stars

#LadyBeGood
#PamelaHamilton
#KoehlerBooks

Wild Sage Book Blog

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been fascinated with the Broadway world for many years and have heard of Dorothy Hale but, I've always wanted to read her biography to take a deeper look into the industry and her life and Pamela Hamilton sure delivered. However, I found it a little unusual that Hamilton started the book vividly describing Dorothy Hale's death but, it help connect the plot and storyline and as the reader, I appreciate the connection. Reading this book the imagery was spectacularly on point that I could not help but feel like I have been transported to NYC on Broadway attending an after party at the Ritz Carlton. I was in awe of the history displayed throughout the book. This is the type of history that a textbook will never teach you and I could not be happier about that. I could not be more fascinated with the fact of how close Dorothy was with Fred Astaire and it was a joy to read how their relationship flourished throughout the book. Reading this book reminded me why I love reading historical fiction and biographies. I love being transported into the time period and feeling like I am one of Dorothy Jake's friends and she is telling me her life story and pouring her heart out to me.

A book that will take you on a journey to 1920s Broadway and you'll never want to leave. That's why I give this book 5 stars.

[Eva Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pamela Hamilton has written an intriguing and well-researched tale of Dorothy Hale, creating a moving account of the former actress's life. I was most stuck by how easy it was to read through the narrative; most historical fiction or historical accounts are difficult for me to read. However, Hamilton's prose makes it easy to breeze through the chapters and stay on top of the important information that is being presented to the reader. The research that went into the story as well felt very seamless, and it very much felt like Dorothy's story was being told to me by someone that had been there to witness events as they unfolded.

Something that had the tendency to hinder the story was the lack of scene breaks. I noticed that as the novel wore on, there were more scene breaks to help distinguish one scene from the next; however, in the beginning I felt like it was a bit difficult for me to keep track of where one scene ended and the next began. Another thing that I had reservations about was the fairly straightforward nature of Hamilton's prose. I truly enjoyed it, and thought that it was very reminiscent of post-WWI writing, I also felt like it had the tendency to gloss over some interesting/significant scenes. Overall, I really enjoyed Lady Be Good, and I am very interested in reading more from Pamela Hamilton!

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vivid Portrait of Dorothy Hale

"Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale" by Pamela Hamilton is a captivating and meticulously researched biography of the glamorous and enigmatic Dorothy Hale. The book provides an in-depth look into the life of Hale, a talented actress and socialite who moved in the highest circles of Hollywood and New York society in the 1920s and 1930s.
Hamilton's writing is engaging and vivid, bringing to life the decadent world of jazz age parties, speakeasies, and high society dramas that Hale inhabited. The author's attention to detail is impressive, and she paints a vivid portrait of Hale's tumultuous personal life, including her struggles with mental health, addiction, and relationships.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is Hamilton's exploration of the societal pressures and expectations that women like Hale faced during this era. The author skillfully weaves in historical context, providing a nuanced understanding of the cultural and social forces that shaped Hale's life and ultimate tragic end.
Overall, "Lady Be Good" is a compelling and thought-provoking read that offers a fascinating look into the life of a complex and often misunderstood figure. Hamilton's writing is both informative and engaging, making this book a must-read for anyone interested in Hollywood history, women's studies, or social history.

[Lily A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale" by former NBC producer, Pamela Hamilton, is a tender-hearted biography of Dorothy Hale, the famous American showgirl, and actress. The author delves deeper into her life, her background, her acting career which included the Broadway Production of Lady, Be Good. Further, the author allows readers into her turbulent years, her marriages as she moved into creative and expensive social circles.
The author presents readers with a talented, ambitious, intelligent, and strong Dorothy Hale, everting the long-held assumptions about her. I found this to be an exhilarating and emotional read. It is a biography that readers will find hard to put down until they are done. Author Hamilton has put her skill to work in this captivating book. She manages to shed a glimpse into the world of showbiz, exposing both sides of that world; glamour, and betrayal.
I appreciate the work the author put in writing this remarkable book that tells the story of this exceptional woman.

[Misty Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading histories and mysteries, then Lady Be Good is one you'll want to read! We are introduced to the roaring 20s, the glitz, glamour, gossip, and the life of Dorothy Hale. Dorothy had two dreams- to be a dancer on Broadway and to be remembered for doing something great. Her first dream came true and she danced with many, but her most remembered partner was Fred Astaire. In the pinnacle of her career, a tragic accident happened, changing her direction in life.
Several years have passed, during which, Dorothy becomes a socialite, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. It's also during this time that she begins a second career as an actress in Hollywood. Unfortunately, her second dream didn't come true. She was instead immortalized in a painting, by artist Frida Kahlo. It is said that Dorothy Hale committed suicide, but we don't know what happened during her last hours. I was left with the question "why would a young woman, in the pinnacle of her career, commit suicide?" You'll want to read this book and decide for yourself.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hamilton explores the life of Broadway star and actress Dorothy Hale in this captivating debut. Known as "Peck's Bad Girl of Pittsburgh" teenage Dorothy runs away to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming a dancer. She is swept into the glitz of 1920s Broadway, gaining admirers wherever she goes. An unfortunate spinal injury brings her career as a dancer to a screeching halt. Yet her marriage to a successful business man, as well as her own personal connections, allow her to have an active social life. From weekend getaways in the Hamptons to summers in Europe, Dorothy spends time with her equally famous friends like Gertrude Stein and Fred Astaire, while pursuing her love for the arts. Hamilton's rich descriptions sweeps readers into Dorothy's glamorous life of 5 star hotels, cocktail parties, and sumptuous galas. Prior to reading this, I wasn't familiar with Dorothy Hale and I enjoyed the author's well-researched and vivid portrayal of the actress's life. Fans of the 1920s era will enjoy this.

[Naman Pande · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Lady Be Good, Pamela Hamilton masterfully brings back to life the glamorous New York City of the 1920s through her captivating story about Dorothy Hale. From the audacious escape from social mores to becoming a darling of the upper crust, the journey that Hale takes is as mesmerizing as it is tragic. 
 
Through meticulous research and vibrant storytelling, Hamilton peels away layers of Hale’s life showing that behind shining faces are heartbreaks and betrayals. This is why as we read on in Hale’s story, we are invited deeper into worlds of love loss and redemption above all else. 

This book is not just another biography; it stands for an everlasting fascination for women who challenged societal norms while pursuing their dreams only to have them shattered by untimely death at their peak. By skillfully narrating through the peaks and troughs of Hale’s life, Hamilton casts a spell on her audience until the very last page.
It is a really interesting book about the history and romance of Old Hollywood. It's a must-read for anyone who loves stories about iconic Hollywood figures.

[Holly McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

A “fictional biography” that falls between the Great Gatsby and a scratchy black and white melodrama from the 1930s, except that it is true. Girl from Pittsburgh runs off to New York to become an actress. Makes her name as a Ziegfeld girl and then in a small part in a hit play “Lady, Be Good”. Marries, marries again, is romantically linked with important men. Enjoys the highest level of New York society. Flits between New York, Europe, and exotic locales. Not successful in love or career, running short of money, Hale leapt to her death from the window of her Manhattan apartment at the age of 33. The book is an interesting and engagingly written snapshot of life among the rich and famous a century ago.

[Viga Boland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this expertly researched and beautifully written biography of Dorothy Hale was both enchanting and disenchanting. It was impossible to not be enchanted by the glitzy, sophisticated world of the rich and glamorous in which Dorothy lived. It’s the world depicted in films when I was a child where everyone is addressed as “darling”, and fashions, affairs and divorces kept gossip columnists busy 24/7. But for Dorothy who, like so many women then and now, wanted to achieve and be remembered for something important, that was a dream not to be realized and she ended her hopes by jumping out of her apartment window when she was only 33. How disenchanting a finish to the life of another beautiful woman with a good heart and an unattainable dream. What an engaging film Dorothy’s story would make!

[Chidinma Anozie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, I went ahead to research the life of Dorothy Hale online. This is how much I enjoyed reading this book. and wanted to know more about her and how accurate the book was.

The author did a great job of depicting the glamour of the 20s and 30s. I loved reading about Dporothy's life as a dancer and a socialite. Her life on Broadway before the accident and how she tried to find herself after the accident.

However, the book seemed to jump to new scenes. There was nothing that indicated the move to new scenes, and I struggled on some pages to understand how I got to an entirely different scene from the one I was initially reading.

Despite this, I enjoyed reading and wished she had a happier ending. This was an entertaining read.

[Donna Emperador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing and well written

The author of Lady Be Good does a great job of providing lavish details to make the reader feel as if they were a fly on the wall, observing Dorothy Hale's daily life. While Pamela Hamilton acknowledges using artistic lisence to recreate certain scenes or fill in dialog, it is obvious that she spent a significant amount of time researching this well-known personality.

Since this is one of my favorite time periods, I was very eager to read this book. However, it was also very intriguing as it delved into, not only her life, but the tragedy of Dorothy's death. This is a must read for historical fiction buffs and those who enjoy biographies. It also will appeal to mystery lovers as they try to figure out what led to her dearh.

[Purnima Khanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale" is the debut novel of Pamela Hamilton. As the title suggests, the story revolves around the life journey of Broadway star Dorothy Hale. The author has done an incredible job of spinning the tragic and short life of Dorothy Hale full of love, sorrow, and tragedy and making it alive with her vivid imagination.The book is an engaging and intriguing read from start to finish. The characters are well described, and the narrative is equally detailed and impactful. It is indeed a well-researched biography and an engrossing read.

[Donna Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much. It carried the glitz and glam of the period and showcased the life of Dorothy Hale. I had never heard of Hale before this but became enamored with her through this piece. The book was well written and each of the characters especially Hale practically walked off the page which is definitely a tribute to the author’s writing. The scenery of the period was built up masterfully and one could imagine living Hale’s life alongside of her.

[Danielle Par · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pulls you in right away. Piques interest right off the bat and keeps it throughout. I found it to be Page turning and I couldn't put it down which is why I finished it so quickly. The book follows the life of Dorothy Hale whose name may be recognized foe being in one of the famous Frida Kahlos paintings. Being so young when she died makes the read feel like it moves quickly even though the story isn’t rushed. I’m short, this was a great read worth getting the paper copy to read again one day.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story and a well-written recounting of the life of someone who was famous in her time of the 20's and 30's in New York society. It felt like the person writing this story really understands what life was like for wealthy socialites during that period of time. It's a very good book and I highly recommend it for historical and general interest....including political intrigue.

[Malcriado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Be Good: The Life and Times of Dorothy Hale is an impressive work of journalism, where not only do we learn some of one of New York’s most iconic socialites deepest secrets, but they’re also interwoven in an engaging narrative of upper class decadence, gossip, friendship, and love.

From the very first page, Hamilton describes in harrowing detail how Hale met her end, and how she stumbled upon notes and other sources to write this engaging book. She then proceeds to explore the life of Broadway star Dorothy Hale, from her life in the convent (what would the nuns say now?) to how she moved to New York to follow her artistic dreams and how she started climbing the social ladder of fame and glitz of the 1920s theatre scene, to her injury, the decline of her career, her husband’s death and her failed relationships, and her unfortunate end immortalized in the Frida Kahlo painting, to how Hamilton discovered some of her notes and used them, along with many other sources, to write this engaging book.

What’s interesting is how it deconstructs, through real facts, the unfortunate dependence of women in the 1920s to their husbands.

You’ll really love this book if you enjoy tales of upper class New York drama and gossip, especially since Miss Hale met some colorful individuals throughout her life, including Isamu Noguchi, Bernard Baruch, and famous artists like Frida Kahlo and Nickolas Muray.

[Adrien Weinhoffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has an interesting blend of biography and historical fiction. I'll admit, it was confusing at first because I figured every few chapters it would switch narratives, but that's not the case. The story is almost solely focused on historical fiction, reading like a novel which was still enjoyable! My only other complaint is that at times, the story moves quite slowly with no real rhyme or reason besides thoroughly explaining how much Dorothy loved parties and spending time with friends. I did find it really interesting that there seemed to be a bit of mystery and suspense towards the end of the book. Unfortunately though, without giving anything away, that mystery ended up kind of anticlimactic in the end.
Despite all of this, I did enjoy reading this book and I really felt transported to the 1920's throughout.
If you're interested in knowing more about that time period, Dorothy Hale, or just like historical fiction then this might be the book for you.

[Sebastian Calderon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pamela Hilton has written an incredibly well-researched, factually accurate and emotionally gripping retelling of Dorothy Hale’s life. She has a knack for weaving historical fiction in a seamless narrative, setting the tale’s tragic tone from the get-go in chapter one.

You can almost feel the glitz, glamour, and simultaneously unsavory aspects of the roaring 20s, especially the sheer amount of incredibly successful, exotic, and manipulative individuals Hale met throughout her life.

Hale’s death is a foregone conclusion, but most people can’t imagine the amazing life she led, which Hamilton, in an almost Agatha Christie-esque way, manages to keep the reader hooked from beginning to end.

If you’re looking for a great summer read to turn back in time to the “the era of wonderful nonsense” through the eyes of a socialite.

[Amanda Waters · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Lady Be Good, Pamela Hamilton has written an immersive look at the fascinating life of Dorothy Hale, and brings readers into a world of glitz, glamour, wealth, art, and scandal. The book begins with the scene of Dorothy Hale's shocking and dramatic death, and the rest of the story attempts to connect the dots between a bright-eyed, resilient, ambitious young woman and the person who fell to her death from a 16 story window. Lady Be Good skirts the line between a journalistic biography and a novel due to the author's in-depth research and straightforward writing style. Although the story dragged a bit in the middle for me, I was invested in finding out what happened to the enigmatic Dorothy Hale. The story will certainly appeal to fans of historical fiction and biography.

[T. Vand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting novel, though I did struggle to get through it. Pacing was very slow. It came across more like a textbook of facts rather than a flowing story/memoir/biography. The opening was a great hook, especially bc Dorothy's death was shocking, but then it just seemed to fall apart for me in terms of holding my interest. I think it was more of the author's academic style of writing that made the voice dry along with the information. I would recommend this book for those who are interested in research and facts about Dorothy Hale as those are prevalent and this would be a great source for papers, etc. But with its dry tone and slow pacing might not be suitable for everyone.

[Catie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have seen the Frida Kahlo painting of Dorothy Hale and was super interested to see what this book was about. I was immediately hooked on the whimsical, 1920’s glamour and high society of the beginning of the book. However, I soon after lost interest with the shallow story and incessant name dropping. I felt like the author wrote a historical fiction book about her life that turned out to read more like the gossip columns that tracker her during her life. It was moderately interesting, but a very slow read that was ultimately not that worth it.