Cheap Diamonds

by Norris Church Mailer

Norris Church Mailer triumphantly returns to the page with this breezy, hilarious novel of discovery and destiny. Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York City, Cheap Diamonds follows a sweet young girl from the South who risks it all to fulfill her heart’s desire.

Cherry Marshall seeks a life beyond the confines of her Arkansas world. “Sweet Valley was not the place for a girl with stars in her eyes, and I had stars big enough to blind me.” Leaving behind all the comforts–and problems–of home, she sets out to enter the New York modeling world at the advanced age of twenty-two. At “five-twelve,” with unusually white eyebrows, the platinum-blond beauty may be a little too unique to fit in with the latest crop of all-American girls dominating the magazines of the era. Yet aided by her Southern smarts, her drive, and a touch of country naïveté, Cherry finds herself in the right place at the right time–and with all the right people.

There’s makeup artist Salvador, who moonlights as “Miss Sally”; Suzan Hartman, a model turned agency head and fellow Arkansan; Mrs. Digby, Cherry’s eccentric landlady, a former Ziegfeld girl; Aurelius, a saxophonist and neighbor who piques Cherry’s romantic interests; and Lale, a hunk from back home who skipped out on his fiancée, Cherry’s friend Cassie, to become an underwear model.

It all unfolds like a dream–this new world where men have boyfriends, and paintings of soup cans pass for art. As Cherry’s star begins to rise, she finds herself at Max’s Kansas City among Andy Warhol’s glamorous crowd, dining at Elaine’s, and drawing the attention of high society. But their sophisticated, sometimes shallow ways are often at odds with Cherry’s homegrown values. The line between right and wrong blurs, and the ingenue will discover how far she’s willing to go to stay on top.

Mailer vividly captures a thrilling era when New York City was the burgeoning center of art and fashion, when being young and beautiful was the only currency one needed for survival. Smartly written, full of humor and hope, Cheap Diamonds reminds us that no matter where we travel in life, we are never very far from home.

Genres: Fiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Best known as the last spouse (and then widow) of writer Norman Mailer.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sort of reminded me of Mark Childress' Crazy in Alabama and a very bad Devil Wears Prada. It had a quirkiness to the start but did not live up to any expectation I had. It became very predicable and parts of it were just down right dumb. Only when I was almost done did I realize the author was a former soap opera star. I was somewhat sympathetic to the main character Cherry and the other sub character Cassie but Lale/Zack was ridiculously stupid as was the black boy friend.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hello! If you’re interested in a light, flamboyant, steamy, soap-opera-style-chick-lit read, open the pages to Cheap Diamonds by Norris Church Mailer and delve into the world of New York City circa 1970. Cherry, the main character, moves from Arkansas to New York to make it as a fashion model.

it's a treat!

[T · Rating 3 out of 5]

I might be biased because Norris and I had a lovely dinner here in Dd but this was another great story of a New York that I will never see. Seeing Andy Warhol's New York through innocent Arkansas eyes, Norris tells a tale of a romantic city and a young model, both on the verge of becoming something more than they had hoped.

[Loren · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great story about finding yourself and following your dreams. White-trash girl turns model in New York. A great look at relationships and the different scenes you find in the N/ S. Cherry coped with change and survived in the big city. This book provided a great glimpse into the many sad but true realities of the modeling industry.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fun story and set lovingly in NYC 30+ years ago. It sounds as if Mrs. Mailer has extensive knowledge of the modeling world and its trials. The ending seemed to be rushed and kluged together at the end, which was a disappointing end to an otherwise cute and campy story.

[Hillary · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best parts of this book were the descriptions of fashion and the outfits that the main character wore. When those are the best parts of a book, you know you're probably in trouble. I was mildly entertained, but the writing is terrible and obvious.

[Ellen]

Purchased at the Strand, November 2007.

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Snooze, snooze, snooze. I gave this book the requisite 100 pages before packing it in. Too many (good) books, too little time.

[Jane]

This was my art teacher in 5th grade in a small town in Arkansas! Can't wait to read this book! And she did move to New York, and she did marry Norman Mailer! Wow!

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written by the wife of Norman Mailer, a novel that often reads like a memoir. Nice heroine, but too many mini-lectures and a very abrupt ending.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attractive kids from Arkansas hit the Big Apple and learn the ways of the modeling world. This one really zinged along for me, not great lit but an interesting diversion.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was an okay read. maybe too many stories going on at once. did a good job of pulling them all together. a little more "R" rated than I like. interesting to see modeling from an insider point of view.

[Madeleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, do I wish I could've had the shopping experiences Cherry had. Also, a Miss Sally in my life.

[Tory Hunz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off slow, picked up in the middle, ended abruptly. I didn't feel the love for the main character and felt that Sal was the only well-written character. Disappointing.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loves it - don't be put off by cover !

[Laura Dye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rather enjoyed the characters in this book; was expecting a dishy, poorly disguised memoir. Instead I got decently well-developed characters and a fairly complex plot. Fun times.

[Sara W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone gave me this from a library sale. I didn't expect anything it but got a decent story.