Das Tal der Puppen

The plot follows three young women over twenty years (1945–1965) in the world of New York and Hollywood. Anne Welles, a beautiful and ambitious girl from the provinces, comes to New York in search of independence. Neely O’Hara, a talented, energetic singer and dancer, quickly rises to stardom, but sinks into addiction. Jennifer North, a captivating showgirl with a perfect body, wants love and respect, but becomes a victim of her own beauty.

The “dolls” in the title are pills – sleeping pills, tranquilizers and weight loss pills – that the heroines use to escape the stress of fame, men and their own failures. Susann writes openly about sex, drugs, ambition and the cruelty of show business.

The novel is a mix of melodrama, social criticism and sensationalism. It has become a cult classic about the price of success and the fragility of women’s dreams in a man’s world.