Gilded Lili: Lili St. Cyr and the Striptease Mystique (ISBN 0823088898)

Gilded Lili:
Gilded Lili is the fascinating story of a woman, famous in her time, but little known today. Kelly DiNardo recounts her life in lively prose that traces the history of burlesque in America through one woman's experience. Lili St. Cyr's life was tragic in many respects, and could serve as a cautionary tale for many of today's current crop of celebrities. Ms. DiNardo's book put's into precise historical context Lili's struggle to remain independent, both personally and financially, in a time when women had few options to reach the level of success she managed to achieve and sustain for 20 years. Her choices, both good and bad, reflect the dramatically changing attitudes towards sex, women and relationships during the first half of the 20th century.

job well done:
I've been waiting for a book about Lili St. Cyr since reading her obituary in Life magazine 8 years ago. When I finally heard it was being written, I was cautiously optimistic. I've read many biographies, and they can be overly fond of their subjects, poorly researched, tabloid-esque, or just plain dry. My fears have been assuaged as Kelly DiNardo proves to be professional, with class. She's pulled out all the stops, and you don't have to be a researcher yourself to pick up on the laborious amounts of work put into this book. Fellow burlesque fans may tire of the history of the striptease being detailed once again, but it is necessary in hopes of the story reaching a wider audience. The life story of Lili St Cyr certainly deserves such widespread recognition, for the reasons previously mentioned: her rise to fame, clashes with the press, independence, squandered fortune, troubled personality and ultimately dissappointing final years. Her story is not an entirely happy one. Her choices were not all admirable. So I guess at worst that places her in good company amongst sex-symbols of the century. DiNardo has sandwiched Lili's life events and choices within the history of the burlesque and striptease industry, as well as the changing social mores that affected it. The book contains a great deal of historical context, perhaps in an attempt to speculate at the true inner motivations and feelings of Lili St. Cyr. For a woman who was not afraid to shock the press with a sordid opinion or two, her true "intimate secrets" will always remain elusive. The elaborate research Kelly DiNardo has done is sure to remain the best summation of the story and person that was Lili St. Cyr.

Gilded enlightenment:
Enjoyed Gilded Lili hugely. Very enlightening presentation of context; considerably broadened my understanding of societal issues in first half of 1900's, while acquainting me with a real and warm person who made a life for herself against huge odds in a much misunderstood and maligned field. Thanx, Ms DiNardo!

Excellent reasearch:
It is very obvious that this author did a tremendous & thorough amount of research on this star of a by-gone era. The male social mores of the movie industry are illustrated, as is the role of women in that generation. An excellent story as well as a history of the time. It would make a terrific movie.

Clever, Thorough, Insightful and Compassionately Told:
I really enjoyed the book--it is extremely well written, clever and tender in its narrative (particular in the end). It sheds so much light on only on Lili but on the context of the times she was living in. I also thought that Lili's life story and the surrounding growth and decline of burlesque was also well researched and referenced. My favorite part was perhaps the epilogue though, where I felt Kelly DiNardo really cast an appreciative, sincere light on what Lili achieved during her lifetime and applauded her for her authentic sensual humanity :) I highly recommend this to all people who are looking for a thrilling, entertaining read with brains and empathy behind the narrative.