Postcards From the Edge

August 4, 1987
Readers who persevere beyond the opening, off-putting chapters of this first novel by actress Fisher will discover that she brings a real talent to bear on her depiction of Hollywood. In a series of vignettes, we meet the protagonist, young film star Suzanne Vale, in a detox clinic where she is doing time after an overdose. Her compulsive, high-pitched voice confirms that the entertainment industry is indeed full of self-obsessed, neurotic people. A writer/cocaine addict named Alex is the next person heard from; his scatological stream of consciousness, interrupted by lines reading "(SNIFF) Aaahh'' and his habit of saying ``I'm gonna'' may put the reader's teeth on edge. When Fisher hits her stride, however, the narrative begins to brim with snappy dialogue, sensitive insights and witty asides. We watch Suzanne trying to overcome her loneliness and insecurity as she interacts with agents, writers, producers, psychiatrists and a whole range of Tinseltown types. Her attempts to establish a mature relationship seem doomed to fizzle, but Fisher has a surprise in store in the book's closing pages. First serial to Redbook and Cosmopolitan; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book clubs alternate; major ad/promo; author tour.