My Life at Grey Gardens: 13 Months and Beyond

I won't repeat what others have written regarding Lois Wright's life at Grey Gardens for thirteen months only to add a few details that Wright seemed to have overlooked or was unaware of as she wrote a day to day account of her experience with the Beales.Throughout the diary, Wright records the frustration of the Beales worrying about the finances that are piling up and no one seems to aid them in paying the monthly bills. Well, it is well known that the Maysles' paid the Beales' ten thousand dollars each upfront for their participation in the movie, which was filmed in 1973. Ten thousand dollars in 1973 had the same buying as power as 53,000 dollars in 2012! Therefore, between the Beales' they had the equivalent (2012) of 106,000 dollars! Yet, these two women claimed that two years after the documentary was released that they had very little money to pay the monthly bills. Documentaries at that time rarely brought in sustainable residuals/profits for either the filmmaker or his subjects. No doubt, the Beales' in their life of fantasy and disillusionment believed that Grey Gardens would be viewed as a commercial film(e.g. The Godfather saga),raking in millions of dollars. The Maysles' definitely would have discussed this aspect of future income with the Beales'. This money issue came to a head when Little Edie forbade the Maysles' from attending the funeral of Big Edie in 1977.I do not bring judgement to the Beales' or their lifestyle. Unfortunately, these two women had a severe dependency problem with one another, but their dependency was extended to family members. The Beales'life at Grey Gardens could never have been sustained (as meager as it appeared to be) without the support of son/brother Bouvier (paying property taxes), Jackie O (paying food, gas, electric, telephone) and even Lois, who doled out five bucks a week to Little Edie to help "support" the Beales'. Yet, the Beale women rarely acknowledged their benefactors for their acts of kindness. Rather, the Beales, especially little Edie, viewed their benefactors with suspicion and distrust.The Beales' came to expect this support from others as they came from a time and era where wealthy women never had to worry about paying the bills. In the early years(1920s'-1940s'), the Beales depended upon the men in their family to keep them in a lifestyle in which they had becomed accustomed. Despite the lack of income, the Beales' didn't hestitate to enjoy frivolous ammenities: (spending in 1973) 160 dollars per month on premium ice cream ($687.00 in 2012). I remember spending 30 dollars per week for groceries in 1973, and it included a half-gallon of ice cream ($1.60 - 1973)that took me a week or two to consume--I can't imagine how they consumed 160.00 dollars ($687-2012)of it in a month's time!!The more I read about Grey Gardens and its inhabitants, the more I find them to be less remarkable, less enchanting, less endearing. If anything, I, in my readings, found them to be an emotionally distrurbing mother and daughter duo who feigned joy and happiness to suppress years of sadness and, most evidently for little Edie, regret! Lois Wright's work does not add any additional insight to understanding who the Beales' really were.

I had seen the original Maysles Grey Gardens film and like many, became fascinated with this "cinema verite" story. I found this little book, written by Lois Wright very interesting as it is a true tale derived from Ms. Wright's diary of the 13 months she lived with the Beales at Grey Gardens. Her book covers the period of time from close to the end of the Maysles' filming through Big Edie's death. You learn more about what really happened after the Maysles ended filming in how they interacted, what was important to them and lastly, that there were people who wanted to help them (including Jackie Onassis).This book is written in a plain, honest style. There are typos and many grammatical errors however, I found it very worth reading for its daily reportage of happenings (big and small) and conversations. Sometimes it was frustrating because no further explanations are given of events but as this is a record of daily living, answers are not necessarily there, at that time. Lois Wright is a very intuitive and stoic character. There is great mystery and spiritual aspect in some of the things she speaks about.Lois Wright's attitude/writing is very non-judgmental and therefore her reporting objective. I found her book very insightful in trying to put the pieces together about the Beales. It was enlightening to know she and Doris were there for them when Big Edie died. This is a fine book of the behind-the-scenes but don't expect a literary masterpiece or projections from the author of what she thought the Beales were about. That is left for the reader but know that it is obvious that she loved them both.

Great insight if you enjoyed the Beale's story like I did. I couldn't put the book down. Follows them from after the documentary until Big Edie's death. From Lois's perspective the relationship with the Maysles wasn't as quaint as we are led to believe. Were they promised some residuals, who knows. But they sure could have used the money. The book is loaded with innuendo, Big Edie's fall from the chair, Maysle's promising money & then no return, and just who the heck is Doris Fransciso and her connection to the family. Why would this women insert herself into their lives & go through all kinds of discomfort right down to staying in that house overnight. That is some friend given the conditions she was exposed to. Lois towed the party line & didn't come right out with any accusations, she seemed not only dependent upon the Beales but Doris as well. When Doris's home burned down she was set up in her own place with no explanation of how she could afford it. If she had the means all along to live on her own what made her choose to stay in a flea infested house where the winters were bitter cold & the smells had to be horrid? Lois never offered up any of her own personal history or insight into her feelings. She treated this as a science research project where she only recorded what was seen & heard but there seems to be a lot left unsaid that she faintly implies. Unfortunately, they were from a time where you didn't speak of those things, especially with people outside your class, so you dropped hints and little bits of information. So Lois knew where her bread was buttered and kept the best to herself. Also could have been Lois was afraid Little Edie would go snooping and find her diary.

As a fan of the film 'Grey Gardens' i wanted to learn more about Big & Little Edie's life, throughly enjoyed this informative book written in the form of a diary,it also gave me a new insight into Big Edie she had a wicked sense of humour. I don't know who edited it though but it comes with many spelling errors!If you love Grey Gardens you will love this book, i recommend it.

Really enjoyed this book

Fairly interesting read, a little cryptic at times which I found quite frustrating, but as it is a diary that is understandable ... I guess?

Just reading, not a very thick book will finish in a couple of nights reading is a very good insite into this family

Fascinated by the film - can't wait to read this book. Came quickly and in excellent condition.