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A Tale of Five Cities & Other Memoirs by Joyce Elbert (1930-2009) is a collection of eight previously unpublished autobiographical essays, spanning the years from the Great Depression through the mid-1980s, when she was no longer able to find a publisher for her “zany, sexy, campy creations” (her words). Written with subtle humor and often brutal candor, Elbert’s memoirs recount her childhood aspirations, her failed relationships with men (some famous), her struggles with alcoholism, and, of course, her life as a writer.
Reviews
Eli Attie, TV writer-producer (The West Wing, House, etc.)
Once you pick up Joyce Elbert's tart and at times shockingly candid memoir, I defy you to put it back down. It's like having a long, boozy, conspiratorial lunch with the most literate of friends. Elbert was definitely of her time — but she spins a pretty good yarn for our time too.
Melissa Beck, book blogger (The Book Binder's Daughter)
Joyce Elbert's memoirs are entertaining, humorous and candid. She embraces life with a resilience and determination that make her stories and adventures read more like fiction than memoir. She was a talented, erudite author who deserves to be brought back into the spotlight.
