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stitching_ghost's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't realize that this book wasn't a recently written one until I came to shelf it on Goodreads. It was an interesting and quick read that apparently withstood the test of time!
dnemec's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up in a book auction as I didn't know that the movie was based on a book (not that I've seen it). Blanche Hudson, former movie star, is now an invalid being taken care of her sister, Jane. Jane was also a star in her own right - a child star in Vaudeville known as Baby Jane. However Jane is now a bitter old woman, becoming increasingly unhinged. And Blanche is at her mercy...
REALLY liked this one.
REALLY liked this one.
abbier_14's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've never watched the movie so this review is entirely based on the book.
This is a really short book so I probably could have finished it a lot quicker if I didn't have so much school work but oh well.
The book was going soooo well until the plot twist at the end. Jane's sanity getting worse throughout the book was very chilling to read, I practically hated her the writing was that good. I also felt very sorry for Blanche especially after the near misses she kept having for getting help.
I like these types of thrillers that just frustrate you because the character is so close to getting out of their situation but the incompetency of others just ruins it for them. I feel like this always adds the perfect feeling of tension and drama.
Like I said the plot twist ruined it for me as it was just so surpising and out of no where. I appreciate that that is literally the nature of plot twists but i dont know it just made me have conflicted feelings. I think the fact the writer had made me feel really sympathetic towards Blanche and hate Jane just made me not like the plot twist of Blanche actually causing her injury herself. As i felt no sympathy for Jane it just made the book less tragic for me, instead of having an innocent movie star held captured by a psychotic sister, it gave Jane a motive and basically tarnished the sadness of Blanche's situation.
So yeah what ever happened to Baby Jane was good but i doubt i would watch the movie as black and white films give me the creeps.
This book also came with extrats of his other writing at the end. I read "what ever happened to cousin charlotte" which was way less satisfying and fulfilling than this book. Although it is just a short story so im sure the film for that one would be better.
I couldnt be bothered with the other extracts because i want to move on to other books lol.
This is a really short book so I probably could have finished it a lot quicker if I didn't have so much school work but oh well.
The book was going soooo well until the plot twist at the end. Jane's sanity getting worse throughout the book was very chilling to read, I practically hated her the writing was that good. I also felt very sorry for Blanche especially after the near misses she kept having for getting help.
I like these types of thrillers that just frustrate you because the character is so close to getting out of their situation but the incompetency of others just ruins it for them. I feel like this always adds the perfect feeling of tension and drama.
Like I said the plot twist ruined it for me
So yeah what ever happened to Baby Jane was good but i doubt i would watch the movie as black and white films give me the creeps.
This book also came with extrats of his other writing at the end. I read "what ever happened to cousin charlotte" which was way less satisfying and fulfilling than this book. Although it is just a short story so im sure the film for that one would be better.
I couldnt be bothered with the other extracts because i want to move on to other books lol.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
Baby Jane Hudson was the breadwinner of her family in the age of Vaudeville and never lets her family forget it. The tables turn when Blanche Hudson becomes the movie star and Jane is only gets parts because Blanche demands it in her contract. At the height of Blanche's career there is an accident that leaves her paralyzed and dependent on Jane. Jane seems to relish in the role of caretaker as this leaves her to torment Blanche and get back on top.
I saw this movie on PBS one friday night many moons ago and the story has stayed with me since. I have seen the film few times and love the acting and chemistry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. I have been trying to get my hand on this book and it has been quite difficult. I was so excited when I saw that this was available on audio at Overdrive.
The novel was just as good as the move and provides a bit more detail to the story. The narrator was fabulous and I would recommend this to anyone who has loved the movie.
Baby Jane Hudson was the breadwinner of her family in the age of Vaudeville and never lets her family forget it. The tables turn when Blanche Hudson becomes the movie star and Jane is only gets parts because Blanche demands it in her contract. At the height of Blanche's career there is an accident that leaves her paralyzed and dependent on Jane. Jane seems to relish in the role of caretaker as this leaves her to torment Blanche and get back on top.
I saw this movie on PBS one friday night many moons ago and the story has stayed with me since. I have seen the film few times and love the acting and chemistry between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. I have been trying to get my hand on this book and it has been quite difficult. I was so excited when I saw that this was available on audio at Overdrive.
The novel was just as good as the move and provides a bit more detail to the story. The narrator was fabulous and I would recommend this to anyone who has loved the movie.
byashleylamar's review
3.0
Perhaps because I am a fan of Bette Davis but I enjoyed the movie more than the book. The book was great but I would have preferred to simply watch the screen stars of old portray the characters. Sometimes the book is better than the movie but this was not one of those times.
b_austridge's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jenmat1197's review against another edition
2.0
This is a story of two sisters. Jane was a star as a young girl (think Shirley Temple). Then along came her younger sister, Blanche who was prettier and more talented. She started to get a lot of acting jobs and a lot of attention, and Jane was pushed to the side.
One night, Jane and Blanche are in a terrible car accident and Blanche is left paralyzed from the waist down. Everyone blames the accident on Jane - saying she caused it because she was jealous of Blanche's success. Over the last 20 years Jane has been caring for Blanche - closed up in Blanche's mansion. But Jane is unstable, and still holds a long grudge of Blanche's success. Things start to go downhill for the sisters. As Blanche tries to get outside help to get her away from her unstable sister, Jane becomes more dangerous.
This book was not that great It wasn't entertaining, and it wasn't well written. I know it was written in the 1960s, but it just wasn't that suspenseful. It was predictable, and none of the characters very likable.
I don't recommend it. I was glad to be finished with it.
One night, Jane and Blanche are in a terrible car accident and Blanche is left paralyzed from the waist down. Everyone blames the accident on Jane - saying she caused it because she was jealous of Blanche's success. Over the last 20 years Jane has been caring for Blanche - closed up in Blanche's mansion. But Jane is unstable, and still holds a long grudge of Blanche's success. Things start to go downhill for the sisters. As Blanche tries to get outside help to get her away from her unstable sister, Jane becomes more dangerous.
This book was not that great It wasn't entertaining, and it wasn't well written. I know it was written in the 1960s, but it just wasn't that suspenseful. It was predictable, and none of the characters very likable.
I don't recommend it. I was glad to be finished with it.
add_a_little_spook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Torture, Murder, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Ableism
Moderate: Death and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent