For their adoring fans, Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were the epitome of Hollywood glamour and passion. They loved each other recklessly and with abandon, threw themselves intensely into their acting roles, and lived a wild life of parties, champagne and jetsetting. They lived to excess and left carnage in their wake, including each other once their passion was spent.

Stephen Galloway chronicles their adventures and follies together in Truly, Madly. I found myself questioning how much their problems arose from the fantasy world of acting, alcohol, the constant travel and grueling schedule, as well as the experience of living in a fishbowl with their entire lives as public property, and the topic of gossip columns from Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons. Naturally this was the worst imaginable lifestyle for Vivien Leigh, eventually diagnosed with Manic Depressive Disorder. The toll this illness placed on both actors over the years was oppressively high.

The author researched his topic meticulously, which shines through in the long list of sources and references. I felt like I knew these legends of the Silver Screen much better after I finished it, while obtaining an insider view of the backstage during a golden era of Hollywood. If you are fascinated by this era, then definitely pick up this book!

I so enjoyed reading this and many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with a copy.