![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxLrVMVfxhyphenhyphenHtRBPHniZqFt7TSAvIH2ZDZIheFRFQVXoW7GrgNiu8Jnnbh7Ic_7EWPrKO3at00M58YWs_wxx2q_H8jT_b01RJ_jixd_6sSbke11j2NApg8DUpKln2GxIG5vbPTw/s320/dareWright.gif)
Yes I am oozing with an obsession, and it's all about a book. The book is The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll by Jean Nathan. My obsession has obviously something to do with Nathan's strong prose, but more to the point really, this book is about a cherished part of my past: an old favorite childhood book. Simply titled The Lonely Doll, written by artist, model, photographer, and lost soul Dare Wright, The Secret Life of The Lonely Doll is the search for Ms. Wright.
Think back women of the 80's; you too may have read The Lonely Doll. I hadn't thought about it in years until Nathan's book came out a few years back and I saw the image of Edith, AKA The Lonely Doll and a flood of memories came to my existence.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuXHwGEaru-l8Zc7ZjwdJwMrxdJPk8-do05RKxNVAJzdRziXMMyBXKERVH0CwzMvHZo0TqtQowqsg_uESbFTbu0AxuSXavqcqeCOvG3c5P5qvAGf-v_e19DZ9ap78jjrOfTP0oyQ/s320/lonely_doll200.jpg)
The book is told through a series of black and white photographs, taken by Wright, about Edith the doll, who was quite lonely until she met up with Mr. Bear and Little Bear and began her crazy adventures. The copy I had as a child was read over and over, I was completely enthralled, but I remember always feeling perplexed by it, wondering what drew me to this book—I never knew. There was something very dark, mysterious, and alluring about the book. In fact, it was considered 'dark' by others as well as there are stories of the book being taken off library and book sellers' shelves in the '70s and '80s, because some thought of it as a book not meant for children.
Looking back now I realize it was truly a piece of art, created basically by a woman that just plain never grew up and had her own demons to battle with.
This book, and the follow-up books thereafter, were Dare's legacy, and in short, her story. Dare's past was certainly tragic, but really so interesting. Her relationship with her attention-seeking, and uber glamazon, painter mother, and her relationship with a long lost brother, that was abandoned by her mother when he was only 5-years-old, is tantalizing. For example, for fun, throughout Dare's entire life, her mother and her would play dress up—a lot. They would create backdrops, special costumes, and fantasy worlds—not just when Dare was a child, but even when Dare was 40-years-old!
Even if you didn't read The Lonely Doll as a child, I highly recommend picking up Nathan's book on Ms. Wright as it's a deliciously captivating read! It reminds me a bit of Little Edie and Big Edie, another mother and daughter duo I am as equally enthralled by—check out my post on those two here.
Does downing cartons of chocolate marshmallow eggs count?
How about shopping at Herberger's and Savers for wonderfully cheap fashionable duds? Yes I think so! Well mainly because we are usually just shopping for me—a little unfair to Mama, but I do love it!
Thankfully we are much more level-headed than these other crazy mothers and daughters, not to mention much, much cuter! I have to say though, just thinking about mothers and daughters, it's pretty wild how very different my mother and I are! I am loud and boisterous, I guess you could say a little attention-seeking? My mother, on the other hand, is quite reserved, a complete lady! I think I endearingly embarrass her often! I kind of thrive on it. Oh she is so cute when she gets embarrassed!
Little Jolene! Creepy? Yeah, just a little.
No comments:
Post a Comment