The Bottom Line
Pros
- A fascinating look at the creator of Edith, the Lonely Doll.
- An engrossing biography, even for those who aren't doll lovers.
- Well illustrated with historical photos.
Cons
- The sadness that permeates the story, especially the end of Dare Wright's life.
Description
- Hardcover.
- Author Jean Nathan.
- Suggested Retail fo $25.00.
- Biography of Dare Wright, creator of Edith, the Lonely Doll.
- Published by Henry, Holt & Co.
- 320 pages.
- "Edith, the Lonely Doll" was the star of a series of children's books in the 1950s.
- "Edith, The Lonely Doll" has been released in several versions by the Madame Alexander Doll Company.
Guide Review - Book Review: The Secret Life of the Lonely Doll
Although "Edith, the Lonely Doll" is not a book I read in my childhood, and all I knew about Dare Wright prior to reading this book was the bare fact that she created "Edith, the Lonely Doll," I couldn't put this book down once I started it. Author Jean Nathan paints an in-depth portrait of Dare Wright--actress, model, artist and author--and her demons. Dare Wright's relationships with her mother, Edie, and her brother (who was separated from Dare in childhood until adulthood) could fill several journals of psychology.The most interesting part of the book for those who love "Edith, the Lonely Doll" and her books is how Edith became the alter-ego of Dare, a woman who was very much trapped in childhood for her entire life. Dare's life and life experiences very much shaped Edith, and also the children's books which revolved around Edith and her surrogate family of Mr. Bear and Little Bear.
The end of the book is quite sad (and a bit hard to read), as it details Dare's downward spiral after the deaths of her mother and brother. Overall, however, Jean Nathan uncovered a wealth of information on Dare which may have been lost to time had the author not tried to find a copy of her favorite childhood book, "Edith, the Lonely Doll" which was out of print in the late 1990s. The journey to find the book set Ms. Nathan on a journey to find out more about Dare, and this fascinating biography was born.
