By 
Fern Bernstein, the Author of “STAUNCH; THE EDIES OF GREY GARDENS” has written a captivating and intriguing novel. The genres are Fiction, Biographical Historical Fiction, and Domestic Fiction. This book is the riches to rags story of Big Edie Beale, and Little Edie Beale, and their home at Grey Gardens.There are two timelines in this story, 1923, and 1972. The author describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, quirky, unique, eccentric, and dysfunctional.Big Edie and Little Edie, were related to Jackie Kennedy, (Jackie Onassis), who did come to bail them out when they were in trouble. Big Edie had a beautiful voice and wanted to entertain. Her father and husband were opposed to the socialite entertaining in public. Big Edie was the mother of three children. Big Edie, and Little Edie were very different from their family, and would beat to the tune of their own drum.
Big Edie and her husband, with her parent’s help had purchased Grey Gardens in East Hampton. After Big Edie’s divorce from her husband, the upkeep became too difficult. Big Edie loved her stray cats, and raccoons. Little Edie came back from New York and was forced to take care of her mother. I love when the author refers to both women as “the garden, and the gardener”. When Little Edie tried to burn some papers, the fire department called in Social Services, and the Beales were forced to update codes and clean up. Jackie Onassis and her sister Lee, gave them money so the two wouldn’t be evicted. Big Edie stood firm that she wouldn’t sell or leave Grey Gardens. Little Edie had her own dreams.
Fern Bernstein has provided a well written novel that vividly describes the scenery, landscape, characters and plot. I was really fascinated by the Beales and Grey Gardens, and continued to look up more information about them. I highly recommend this memorable and thought-provoking novel.
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