Inventing the It Girl: How Elinor Glyn Created the Modern Romance and Conquered Early Hollywood

by Hilary A. Hallett

The modern romance novel is elevated to a subject of serious study in this addictive biography of pioneering celebrity author Elinor Glyn.

Unlike typical romances, which end with wedding bells, Elinor Glyn's story really began after her marriage up the social ladder and into the English gentry class in 1892. Born in the Channel Islands, Elinor Sutherland, like most Victorian women, aspired only to a good match. But when her husband, Clayton Glyn, gambled their fortune away, she turned to her pen and boldly challenged the era's sexually straightjacketed literary code with her notorious succes de scandale, Three Weeks. An intensely erotic tale about an unhappily married woman's sexual education of her young lover, the novel got Glyn banished from high society but went on to sell millions, revealing a deep yearning for a fuller account of sexual passion than permitted by the British aristocracy or the Anglo-American literary establishment.

In elegant prose, Hilary A. Hallett traces Glyn's meteoric rise from a depressed society darling to a world-renowned celebrity author who consorted with world leaders from St. Petersburg to Cairo to New York. After reporting from the trenches during World War I, the author was lured by American movie producers from Paris to Los Angeles for her remarkable third act. Weaving together years of deep archival research, Hallett movingly conveys how Glyn, more than any other individual during the Roaring Twenties, crafted early Hollywood's glamorous romantic aesthetic. She taught the screen's greatest leading men to make love in ways that set audiences aflame, and coined the term It Girl, which turned actress Clara Bow into the symbol of the first sexual revolution.

With Inventing the It Girl, Hallett has done nothing less than elevate the origins of the modern romance genre to a subject of serious study. In doing so, she has also reclaimed the enormous influence of one of Anglo-America's most significant cultural tastemakers while revealing Glyn's life to have been as sensational as any of the characters she created on the page or screen. The result is a groundbreaking portrait of a courageous icon of independence who encouraged future generations to chase their desires wherever they might lead.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Historical, Audiobook, Film, Media Tie In

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2022

Reviews

[Pola Changnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating story: it’s hard to conceive of Elinor Glyn’s power/authority in early Hollywood. Really enjoyed the accounts of her friendships amongst the royalty of the day: Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, Hearst, etc. I just wished we’d gotten to the part of the story more quickly. Glyn’s earlier days are faithfully, even doggedly recounted, but given the title of the book, I hoped we’d spend more time with Clara Bow and her ilk.
Still a great refresher on the early days of movie making when women truly had power and authority. Ah, those were the days!

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is both shallow and rife with errors, reflecting failures of the author’s research and comprehension. The prose is pedestrian so it’s not a fun read even if you can tolerate all the lapses in fact and interpretation. DNF.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elinor Glyn was an even more fascinating figure than I knew. In addition to her taboo-breaking novels, she was a major tastemaker in both Britain and the US, played an important role in redefining women's roles and rethinking the nature of female sexual desire, and was a powerful figure in the Hollywood of the 1920s. And she was glamorous as hell (having sort of invented, or at least developed and popularized, the whole idea of glamour in the first place).

[Myra Breckinridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

For better and worse, Hallett focuses on context as much as subject in her exploration of Elinor Glyn. At its best, context places Glyn firmly within her time, the impulses exist alongside the influences and eradicate assumptions a modern reader might make about the writer and her motivations. At its worst, Hallett’s text is a jumbled mix of tangents overshadowing her subject as the text veers into the biographer’s professional wheelhouse—women in the early days of Hollywood. Nevertheless, the biography is full of great context and connections for interested readers willing to make the journey.

[Amber Humphries · Rating 3 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Inventing the It Girl by Hilary A Hallett. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC to review.

I read around 50% of this novel, and while it was an well researched and written, I personally could not connect with the life of Elinor Glyn. So while it did not work for me, I recommend giving it a chance for yourself since it could be very interesting for a different reader.

[Tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNFing around 20% because after two months of this sitting open on my table, nothing is making me bother with it. 80 pages in and I’m still bored to death, feeling guilty that I’m not reading it, and trying to determine how many more times I might need to renew it before returning it to the library.

After getting almost nowhere and with already obvious repetition of almost exact sentences, I’m out.

[Arnold Kalnitsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative overview but some neglected areas of inquiry.

Overall, a very good, solidly researched book with a nice flowing narrative. The footnotes should also be read.

A few points I would have liked pursued in more detail and depth, though I know primary sources are scarce apparently.

The connection to F.H. Bradley would have added some depth to recognizing her actual intellectual capacity. Bradley has a very dense, obtuse philosophy that requires intense reflection and professional philosophic training to fully grasp. Primarily in logic. Most likely he would have conversed with her in a more simple layman vocabulary. But it's questionable how much she took away about his monistic Idealism or whether she just thought of him as a general source of support for a less materialistic overview.

And Bradley apparently wrote an article about sex in literature that he wanted her to publish under her name. Which she refused to do. He had read some of her books, manuscripts and added corrections and Greek quotes. And was apparently a model for a character. But did she read his books or just talk to him?

Another point. In her autobiography she writes quite strongly about being under the 'California Curse.' And suggests the presence of pervasive occult and psychic activities that influenced her behaviour and her objectives. Turning her into a different person. Obviously this could just be retroactive justification for a period she later was ashamed of. But with her New Thought beliefs, regular use of a psychic, proto New Age sensibilities, reincarnation and karma references it would be more revealing to pursue her subjective sensibilities in detail.

The question of her own romantic situation in Hollywood.

This seems like the most obvious omission. Presumably because of lack of source material. Passion and sex were her literary specialties. And the only reason she was sought after for movies. She is described enjoying parties, night life, socializing, going dancing with young men, screening men at studios and so on. And was a persistent gossip and meddler.

Had she lost her biological and/or emotional impetus for physical relations? Or did she never even have any desire for sex herself in Hollywood? She loved the life and environment.

Age could have been a factor. Yet she was as vain a person as one could imagine. And spent painstaking time over her appearance. Certainly there were men of all ages who would have been interested. Even young men hoping to use her for their careers. There are a few hints with two young men that she worked with, but no innuendo or anecdotes are referenced.

And it's strange that her media image was that of the expert on passion, but no interviews or gossip about her ongoing romantic life even on Platonic terms. Maybe a subject that was tacitly out of bounds? The disconnect between her persona and her physical self is enigmatic. She wasn't a grieving widow who took vows of chastity. A passion guru who abstained while finessing decades of sex oriented stories? This angle would require a separate chapter.

Overall, a good book. The use of primary letters is revealing too. Especially with the attitudes about class, race, gender, anti-Semitism etc.

[Debra Pawlak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com in return for a fair review. Elinor Glyn was definitely a woman ahead of her time. Born in England in 1864, she married up as did many young women back then. Finding herself with a rich husband who demonstrated little passion, she took solace in writing romance stories. Her books were considered extremely racy for the times, and she was shunned by polite society. Nevertheless, her novels became quite popular. She even traveled to Hollywood where she worked on photoplays based on her novels. Most famously, she penned 'It', which starred Clara Bow making her Hollywood's original It Girl. Author Hilary A. Hallett did a great deal of research and brought to life Madame Glyn in all her colorful glory including that tiger skin rug that she couldn't do without. My only complaints are #1- Hallett often got sidetracked with irrelevant details that were off-topic and #2 -she spent too much time analyzing Glyn's work. From best sellers to the theater to Hollywood, Glyn definitely did it her way. She brought glamor, sex, and sizzle front and center. No doubt if reality television had been around when Elinor Glyn's star was shining bright, she would have dominated the airwaves with her outrageous behavior. Elinor Glyn not only paved the way for modern romance writers, but she also helped create some steamy sex scenes at a time when movies could only be seen and not heard. I would like to think that if Madame Glyn had been born one hundred years later, she would have still stirred up the pot and pushed the envelope as far as she could. Good for Elinor Glyn!

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inventing the It Girl
How Elinor Glyn Created the Modern Romance and Conquered Early Hollywood
by Hilary A. Hallett
Pub Date 26 Jul 2022 |
W. W. Norton & Company, Liveright
Biographies & Memoirs | Nonfiction (Adult)


I am reviewing a copy of Inventing the It Girl through W.W. Norton, Liverlight and Netgalley:




Hilary A. Hallet turns the modern day novel into a subject of serious study, in this biography of pioneering celebrity author Elinor Glyn.




In 1907 Elinor Gwynn a society darling shocked her English Peers with the publication of Three Weeks an intensely erotic novel that launched her to international fame and infamy. Historian Hilary A. Hallett traces Glyn’s meteoric rise for the first time, beginning where most romance novels end: with her marriage into the English gentry class in 1892.



After her husband Clayton gambled their fortune away Glyn boldly became the first commercially successful writer to challenge the sexually straightjacketed literary code. As she churned out novels, she consorted with world leaders from St. Petersburg to Paris to Cairo before movie producers lured her to California in 1920. There, Glyn crafted the romantic aesthetic of Hollywood’s golden Silent Age, coining the term “- a quality of magnetism she projected onto actresses like Clara Bow. Deep archival research, has allowed Hallett presents Glyn as an icon of sexual and professional independence who would encourage new generations to chase their own desires wherever they led.


I give Inventing the It Girl four out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as my reading schedule - the library having a copy to borrow - I read A Dress of Violet Taffeta first and, IMHO, that made all the difference in my enjoyment of Inventing the It girl by Hilary Hallett. I really wanted to know more about Elinor Glyn and how she carved out a larger than life place for herself. In 1907 she wrote Three Weeks and the rest is history. Oh the scandal caused by sharing sexual passion in a book that became an international best seller. To say that the two sisters, Elinor and Lucy 'Sutherland, made their mark on history is an understatement. Marrying well but to men who used them badly, leaving them destitute set both on a fascinating life.
From writing a steamy novel to the glitter of Hollywood and Clara Bow, Elinor was an international super star and this book gives the reader a look at the world of WWI and then the Roaring Twenties. I won't share more because I would end up writing a review that would be way too long when what I want to do is to urge anyone who finds this time period of interest to pick up a copy and immerse themselves in the life and times of a woman who found her own way, doing it her way.
My thanks to the publisher Liveright and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Monica Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hesitant to review these books because I use them for something very different, but I think everyone else will be using them for. If you happen to read nonfiction books as a way to course yourself to do chores and you kind of have to listen to them enjoy a few sentences, but can usually just sort of zone out while you do things then. Hey my reviews of helpful. By this parameters, this book is awesome. It was just interesting enough that it kept me doing my chores for days on end, but it was an interesting enough that I felt like I was missing out when I would zone into what I was doing this is a really interesting look, though on the beginnings of the film industry, which I personally find fascinating and infuriating that an industry that started out with such gender equality ended up becoming way. It is now we’re still fighting 100 years later.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fascinating duel biography looks at the careers of a pair of aristocratic British sisters, one the most famous dress designer of the Edwardian era and one the inventor of the modern romance novel.
Eleanor Glyn supported her ne'er do well titled hisband and their children by writing what was then considered racy novels, later writing screenplays for Hollywood and partnering with actress Clara Bow to create the "It Girl" image made popular in the silent movie era. Glyn, ore than anyone else, crafted Hollywood's romantic and glamorous aesthetic during the Roaring Twenties. Along the way, she consorted with the rich, famous and titled from London to St. Petersburg, and Paris to Hollywood. This was a really interesting way to look at the first thirty years of the twentieth century.

[S.K. Man · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inventing the It Girl is a fascinating deep-dive into the life of Elinor Glyn and the birth of celebrity culture. Hilary Hallett brings rich historical context and sharp insight into how media, gender, and fame intertwined in the early 20th century. It’s both intellectually engaging and culturally relevant.

That said, the pacing can feel academic at times, and some sections are denser than others. Readers looking for a fast, character-driven biography might find it more methodical than narrative.

Still, it’s a rewarding read—especially for those curious about the roots of modern stardom and the women who shaped it behind the scenes.

3.5 stars—thoughtful, well-researched, occasionally heavy, but eye-opening.

[Anna Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a pleasant read. It is well researched (I'm always impressed when an author can do extensive research and put it together in an interesting way.), reads well, and the pages turn easily. It is a worthwhile book for those wanting to know about early Hollywood, and I learned a few interesting asides, as well. However, it does not present a sympathetic portrait of Elinor Glyn and serves to reinforce my distaste for both the English "elite" and Hollywood in general. While she is indicated as a major mover in the romantic moment, the title of the book is a reference to Clara Bow, who was the It Girl.

[Stuart Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only prior exposure to Elinor Glyn was Dorothy Parker's book review (very snarky and very funny) of Glyn's "It". So imagine my surprise when I found out about Glyn's impact on societal changes and on Hollywood films--a lasting legacy in fact. Anyone interested in late 19th and early 20th century social norms or the Hollywood movie business in the 1920s will want to read this fascinating biography. You will also have the opportunity to decide if you have "it" or not!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe I’d never heard of Elinor Glyn before this book. Glyn was a fascinating, influential, and complex figure in romance novels and early Hollywood. The book chronicles her personal life and marriage to a dull wealthy husband,the publication of her “racy” novels, to the mortification of said husband, and her quest to bring them to the silver screen, breaking down all barriers in her way. Highly recommend.

[BookBrowse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing out against the backdrop of a sea change with regards to women's rights and to the understanding of sexuality more generally, Inventing the It Girl is both a lively portrait of a memorable figure and a thoughtful chronicle of the times she was shaped by — and how she shaped them in return.
-Norah Piehl

Read the full review at: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/review...

[LillyBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a highly enjoyable biography of someone I’d never heard of before, but now I can’t believe that is so! I felt like Hallett did an excellent job of telling us just enough about various events in a full life and ever evolving life without delving into unrelated details. It kept the book moving at a brisk and exciting pace, as befitted a woman who seemingly broke a new mold every decade.

[Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was REALLY GOOD for a read that I picked up on impulse from the library about a person I'd never heard of before. Fantastically done, engaging, perfectly contextualized a lot of the vague things I knew about the time in history. Honestly, if you have even the vaguest interest in old Hollywood, the Roaring 20s, or literary history at all I highly recommend this.

[Leslie Zemeckis]

Super interesting bio about Elinor Glyn -
Who created the it girl - and some naughty books and film scenarios along the way- she was ahead of her time, smart and independent - my only complaint is for the publishers -
The print is so tiny it make reading this very difficult - I could only read in small sections at a time

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a slice of the world I knew very little about. I did find the story of Madam Glen a bit hard to follow, but over all 2.5/5. Would definitely be an interesting read if you like old Hollywood

[Susana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Glyn would have thrived in this era. Smut available freely, women in the film industry, not having to stay married to assholes who cheat on you. Born too soon. Pour one out for Nell

But damn 16 hours is a long audiobook

[Kathei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I had never heard of Elinor Glyn before and now I’m trying to find copies of her books. Fascinating character! This is a thoroughly researched biography of a woman who was way ahead of her time while having to live inside the restrictive rules of Victorian society. Excellent.

[Michael Mckinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanted more from the Hollywood years

She was a groundbreaking woman who had her fingers on the pulse of an awakening public . I did want more from her years in Hollywood, especially her time with Clara Bow.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fascinating story about a woman ahead of her time. What I found especially interesting was learning the impact women had on the beginning of Hollywood—writing, directing, producing—and on an equal level with men until the big corporations (with the money) moved in.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ This was good for what it was - a deep, academic dive into a person and the circumstances surrounding their life. It was a little dense and slow for me, and act 3 was by far the most interesting. But, learned a lot. Also, I wish it had an “additional reading” section.

[Ashley Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story with a great sense of storytelling.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Pauline Culley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone I never heard of, she was fascinating. I enjoyed the book and I have already recommended it.

[Holly Bopp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio.

[Robyn Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

B- Audible