Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #431500 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Review
"The book is filled with photographs, letters, drawings and sundry scrapbook items (J.F.K. and Jackie's wedding invitation, a letter from Macy's encouraging her to model) culled from Edie's overstuffed and truly inspiring archives." --The New York Times

From the Author
As the immediate family of Edith Bouvier Beale, it is with great pleasure and pride that we present this collection of work after almost half a century of collecting dust in family archives.

Following her death in 2002 our family began the heartbreaking task of putting my aunt, Little Edie's, remaining possessions in order. Nostalgic and captivated, I carefully sifted thought the contents of the boxes, suitcases, and scrapbooks that she had saved over the decades: photographs, journals, writings, poetry, sketches, and letters were packaged in small, labeled bundles (an arrangement that eventually made the publication of this collection possible), that presented an insightful chronology of Little Edie's life.

Although Little and Big Edie Beale were thrust into the public's view following the release of the Grey Gardens documentary, the true story of Little Edie's life has essentially remained a mystery since the mid 1950's. In contrast to the documentary, what became strikingly clear was the love, dedication, and seeming normalcy of her privileged youth. Filled with family vacations, costume parties, soirées, fashin shows, fundraising functions, and weekly trips to the cinema, the Beale family lived a remarkably loving life within the Hamptons high society of the early 20th century. I found an astounding number of photographs, letters, and poems from her childhood, presenting quite the contrast to the cats and decrepitude of Grey Gardens during the 1970s. However, as was reflected in various letters, bank statements, and attorney correspondences, as the economic pressures of the Depression years set it, life began to change for little Edie at Grey Gardens, gradually transforming into the familiar scene of the 1970s documentary. Nonetheless, despite the Beale's steady economic decline over the course of almost half a decade, the loving and graceful writings from these years make their continued creativity, dedication to one and other, good nature, and attempt to maintain their dignity conspicuously clear.

Immediately following my Aunt Edie's death, I began the arduous process of reconstructing her young life in order to compile this collection. As a close family member, I have enjoyed the privilege of having Edie's humor and wisdom in my life, and as a result this anthology was conceived with deep dedication, understanding, and personal connection.

We hope this book will help see Edie differently and with a deeper appreciation of how she grew into the familiar character from the Grey Gardens documentary. We hope not to only restore her dignity, but also make known her sensitivity, passion, and genius that we, as her family, remember vividly. It was clear that Little Edie wanted her story to be shared.

Customer Reviews

Even better than I hoped
Over the last few years I have collected all the Grey Gardens related items I could find (excluding the house itself!) I just received this book today and, other than the DVDs, this is my favorite.

As soon as I opened the box, I had to sit and go through the entire book page by page. With every turn, my interest grew. It is a beautiful collection of photos and other memorabilia that give insight to a most fascinating life. Somehow, I thought that Edie's active life in New York and other social scenes was short. But that was corrected by photos of that life that lead all the way to 1952 and her return to Grey Gardens.

There are many highlights throughout, but the one that made me gasp was a transcript and facsimile of a longish letter written by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in 1972 on Olympic Airlines stationary as she was flying. This letter details her love and attachment to both Edies. It gives very personal insight into those relationships but also to her own life that I have never seen written anywhere.

I could not recommend this book more highly.

Wonderful Tribute to Little Edie
Eva Beale has assembled a wonderful tribute to Little Edie. As she stated in her Amazon.com description of the book, the photos provide touching insight into Little Edie's life as a whole. It is clear that Little Edie lived life on her own terms, and she inspired many more people than she probably ever was aware of. What a treat this book is, and it was well worth the wait. Thank you, Eva, for your hard work toward providing this tribute to Little Edie's memory.

..because it's Winter in a Summer town
Had to order this book through Strand in New York--Amazon didn't have it available by Christmas. Wonderful personal photos, letters, and writings from Edie's life. Helps shed some light on the elusive duo of Big and Little. Like all good things, leaves you hungry for more.