I Lost My Girlish Laughter is a clever little novel that gives voice to unsung women. Even better, it's somewhat autobiographical and written by someone who lived this exact life. That being said, I didn't enjoy this quite as much as I think I would have if I were someone from that time period in that industry with a bunch of knowledge about who these characters are based off of. I can see that for the time, this book would've been a huge hit since it was remarkably relevant for the celebrities and big names of that time period. In 2019, while parts of it are still relevant, I don't think I got the same tongue-in-cheek kind of whimsy out of it that I was led to believe I'd feel when I read the Introduction. Don't get me wrong, this is still an entertaining, funny as hell book, but I do think that parts of the old movie industry have been lost to time and show every now and then throughout the novel. For old Hollywood lovers, I Lost My Girlish Laughter is a must read!

I love stories about old Hollywood and this book dis not disappoint me. I was not quite sure what it would be like when I started reading it, but I am so glad I kept reading. Madge was such a likeable character and the descriptions made me feel like I was a a movie studio. There were times when I could not put this book down. A very good book and I highly recommend it.

This book is very timely. The narrator is a secretary in Old Hollywood who must deal with being treated as less than a man. The character S.B., a big time producer, as well as the various other characters, are based on the author's real experiences with Old Hollywood studios. The language is a bit difficult to get into at first, but it soon becomes easy to be involved with the characters. I recommend for women's book clubs.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday Publishing and Ms. Jane Allen for the opportunity to read this Advanced Readers Copy of "I Lost My Girlish Laughter"

The Golden Age of the Silver Screen told like no one else could...an insider! A powerhouse of a woman who worked alongside Hollywood's greatest creative talents: David O' Selznick and Marlene Dietrich to name a few

Told through a series of telegrams and correspondence "based on" Ms. Silvia Schulman's worklife as personal secretary for David O' Selznick and her years with producers, directors and actors of the silver screen in the 1930's.

This is a delicious read full of bite sized tidbits "from the office" of Hollywood's pioneers.

4 stars

You know at first I didn't think I would like this book in the beginning but now I honestly can say it has been one of my favorite books thus far! Truly does capture your attention and made me want to read more. The cover is also phenomenal so that definitely helps this read!

It is a well known fact that no one can skewer an industry better than an insider, which leads us to Silvia Schulman, a Hunter College grad who landed the plum position as secretary to David O. Selznik in the mid-1930's. First written in 1938, followed by serialization in Cosmopolitan then on-air with the Mercury Theater, this book presents the gal on the go trope popular at the time, and had it been filmed, would have provided a great vehicle for, say, Jean Arthur with her bright eyes and distinctive voice. A helpful prelude by J. E. Smyth reveals some of the identities of the roman à clef details, with a hilarious send-up of Marlene Dietrich (famously called "that construction" by Greta Garbo). Whereas our heroine Madge is wooed by a PA agent as well as an up and coming newcomer, in real life, Schulman was at the time in a romance that resulted in marriage to Ring Lardner, Jr. The book is lively, dishy, and better written than its title would seem to indicate

Interesting and entertaining look at Hollywood and movies. Enjoyed the book, the characters, the story. Movie buffs will enjoy this book.

Old Hollywood is my top collection when it comes to books, magazines and memorabilia. How I have never heard of this story is beyond me. A great look into the past. A must read for anyone who loves old Hollywood and the lifestyle in the era of the 30’s.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read for an honest review.

This thinly veiled novel about the author's relationship with David O. Selznick was a delight! I'm so glad I got a chance to read it. I love movies of this era and this gave me a little peek into the behind the scenes action. I love how it was written through letters, memos and gossip columns, I really felt like I was there. A worthy issue of a should be classic book.

Big Thanks to NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group for the ARC



Madge Lawrence is an up and coming woman in Hollywood during the 1930s from New York City. Through one of her contacts in Hollywood she obtains a secretary position in the office of Sidney Brand. This gives her the inside scoop on everything that is going on in Hollywood. Through interactions with newspapers, telegrams, office communications we get that inside view on how show biz really operates. Madge is in the middle of the pull to get Clark Gable to work on the production of Sidney's new movie and all of the drama in between.


This was such a different read! It's hard to summarize what goes on in the book because it's more interpersonal than just a story. It really dives deep into the work and world of the 1930s movies and all the rigmarole people went to get actors. Back when movies were more glamorous and iconic. I would recommend this to anyone who would like to read something a little different, with a little different style, and to someone who likes the old movie life.


Rate: 3.5/5

Fiction

Author: Jane Allen

I love an epistolary novel, and I Lost My Girlish laughter--for all that it is decades old now--is what I would consider the pinnacle of them. Though fiction, the involved introduction gives the reader the insight that the primary author really was the main character. She lived the life of a secretary to one of the Hollywood moguls (in this case, David O. Selznick, not-so-hidden behind the name of Mr. Brand). Today, we still romanticize and reminisce over the Hollywood of the 1930s. I Lost My Girlish Laughter will give readers back some of that nostalgia as well as killing some of their illusions about what went on behind the scenes. Charming, witty, and compelling with those clever notes and letters to keep it from getting heavy, I Lost My Girlish Laughter is a must-read for anyone interested in Hollywood, especially the Golden Era, as well as being an interesting addition to your epistolary TBR list.

As a fan of classic films from the Golden Era of Hollywood, I can say this book was a lot of fun. I love that it was written during that time; it added an invaluable authenticity to the story. The things about the story and writing that I liked could be turnoffs for others, however. I think this book may appeal primarily to a specific set of people. That being said, it’s definitely a book I would recommend to others, especially those who are fans of the movies.

When I requested to review this book at Netgalley I had no idea it was originally published in 1938. I am afraid to admit that at first this may have swayed me from reading this book and what a shame that would have been. I lost my girlish laughter centers around Madge Lawrence and as she explores the hectic crazy city of Hollywood. Madge lands a job working for big shot producer Sidney Brand and almost reads to me like a gossip magazine. The entire time I was reading this book I pictured Singing in the Rain and the silly comedy it included. This is a gem one that is meant for fans of history and Hollywood alike.

This book aged well and it's a great behind the scenes, fun to read and engrossing.
Some parts reflect the spirit of time and can sound harsh to us but they reflect the time and are part of a realistic picture.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is a cheerful, somewhat chaotic, whirlwind story in the form of diary entries, letters, western union telegrams, and dialogue between the characters, revealing the story of Madge, a secretary for S.B. (Mr. Brand). These were real people from the 30s, all explained in the introduction to the book, but the names are changed in the story. Madge is absolutely delightful to read and get to know. She steps into the role of secretary for this often lecherous, oblivious and eventually ridiculous boss with aplomb and grace, steering his ship like she'd always been there. She has a moral backbone and never does quite fit in with all the shenanigans that go on in the environment around her. The adventures that she gets sucked into throughout this very short read are eye opening and intensely entertaining, and ultimately, she gets to know herself and finds love of her own. I greatly enjoyed reading this.

Hardly interesting; it felt like reading some of the office gossip emails. None of the characters are truly likable, not even Madge, however the atmosphere of Hollywood is one of the novel's strong points.

I'm curious as to why anyone thought this book needed to be re-published?

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, but it's extremely dated, and quite tame by today's Hollywood gossip standards.

The book reads super quickly as it's formatted in inter-office memo's, letters and Western Union messages. They story takes place over the course of a year, and centers around a famous Hollywood movie producers secretary, and her hand in altering the the career path of an up-and-coming movie star by making sure he stars in the company's latest blockbuster (think 'Gone With The Wind').

Overall, it wasn't a terrible story, it just wasn't very interesting. It's like reading a bunch of office gossip emails. None of the people are particularly likable, not even Madge, but if you're into old-school Hollywood, then this may be something that appeals to you.

**I received this e-book free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

This rollicking epistolary novel gives us a secretary's viewpoint of life at a 1930's Hollywood studio through free spirited personal letters, newspaper gossip columns, telegrams, interoffice memos, calendar entries, and the secretary's private journal entries. It was co-authored by Silvia Schulman Lardner, who was David O. Selznick's personal secretary. The main character, Madge Lawrence, is clearly based on Lardner's personal experiences. It is a quick and fun read for anyone who loves classic films or the film making industry.

The book introduction is invaluable to the modern reader, 81 years after the book was first published. It explains who the characters are modeled after as well as personal insight to the authors.

Thanks to #Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. 4 stars!

This is a reprint of a 1938 novel, written by the secretary for film producer David O. Selznick. It reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada, but about 1930's Hollywood instead of the fashion industry. There is a great introduction to the novel that explains the history of the novel and important information about the author. Also included is an explanation about which literary character represents which famous real person. Had I read it when it was published, I would have enjoyed it as a biting satire on Hollywood. Reading it in the present day which little knowledge of the people it was making fun of, I still enjoyed it. It's a short, but witty read. Highly entertaining. The story is cleverly told through telegraph messages, inter-office memos, the secretary's private diary and letters home to friends and family. If you have any interest in old Hollywood or historical fiction, you will enjoy this book.

In 1938 Madge Lawrence is a newly-hired secretary for the famous Hollywood producer Sidney Brand. The book is written in the form of letters to Madge’s aunt and friend, production memos, telegrams and journal entries. Brand acquires the rights to a play and plans to make it into a vehicle to star the European newcomer, Sarya Tarn. This book reads like a screwball comedy of the period and lampoons the movie making process with parodies of producers, writers, publicists, actors, gossip columnists and other people involved in this glamorous but sometimes cutthroat world. The movie faces both censorship and casting problems.

The author’s name is a pseudonym for Silvia Schulman Lardner, who worked for producer David O. Selznick, and Jane Shore, a screenwriter. Together they used the pen name in order to protect their jobs. The book was a hit when originally published and Orson Welles bought the radio rights to the book, but it was never made into a movie. It’s too bad that a movie was not made when the book was written because it would be hard today to film (or read) this book as simply a madcap romp without dealing with the inherent sexism. However, as a contemporaneous depiction of a Hollywood studio it was interesting and even fun.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.