Monica's Story
 Andrew Morton
 (Reviewed by The Editor - Rebecca Brown)
 1999 St. Martin's Press NY USA
  ISBN: 0312240910
Amazon's Value Price is: $24.95

Monica Lewinsky was compelled to answer the grand jury's questions, it is here, however, that she candidly unfolds the surprising story of her experiences before, during & after the White House scandal.

Andrew Morton hasn't written great literature, he's done another articulate, illustrative effort as he did for Princess Di. What I found interesting was the view from inside the goldfish bowl. I knew what it looked like from where I sat. I could not avoid knowing what newscasters & reporters felt & analyzed, the one voice I hadn't heard or read was the person after whom the affair was named.

Monica's Story is simply that, capturing that vivacious, gushy young woman, forgivable & charming because she's so very personable. She also has a well-developed sense of the farcical & the grand. What strikes me with gut-clenching familiarity is that there but for a few twists & turns in a family's life, go I. I also saw a girl traumatized by the loss of her family unit & her father's steadying influence, right at the wrong age. Me too, been there, survived that.

It's not a new story, by this century's lights. Enter vibrant, irresistible flaming youth - there stands the older, colder power player. Energy is exchanged, a naughtiness engaged, a dash of daring, a pinch of invisibility. Quite simply, the arcing of that mysterious & miraculous Life Force; the sparking of the Yin/Yang in whose efflorescence we are all reduced to bit players.

Andrew Morton's book is even, ho-hum, boring in places - remember all those dreary hours on the tube, when simple words were redefined & mature humans dragged themselves through knot holes backwards because of this attractive youngster. Through it all Monica walked with fear, some dignity & a lot of help, while the mills of justice, politics & media ground her every word & action for the past couple of years, exceedingly small then spat them out for all the world to see. In between horrendous marathons of inquisitioning, Monica was in limbo, sequestered in her mother's apartment, unable to get on with her life & mobbed if she ventured out. Still, I have seen it from both sides now &, when all is said & done, Monica deserves to be heard.

After all the bluster & indignation, Monica has gone home to start her life anew. I'm glad she's not apologetic. I like that she's spunky, has a lot of forgiveness & a few lusty enjoyments, forbidden fruits notwithstanding.

What cachet this Monica now has. I hope she cashes it in & prospers.

Also from Andrew Morton: Diana: Her True Story
(070499)

Rebecca