She was an Oscar-winning Hollywood actress; he the scion of Europe's longest reigning monarchy. The marriage of movie star Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier Grimaldi of Monaco (a romance ironically spawned by a chance, MGM publicity-driven photo op) was one of the 20th century's most enchanting fables come to life. Yet, in veteran Hollywood biographer J. Randy Taraborelli's retelling, (the first comprehensive chronicle of the royal couple's romance and quarter-century reign) their day-to-day struggle with romantic inertia and a legacy of familial dysfunction cast their fairy tale existence in a bittersweet light long before the 1982 automobile accident that took Grace's life.

Taraborelli's struggle to walk the fine line between the respectful biography he intends and the salacious, tell-all exposes he decries makes for occasionally awkward passages. However, the author eventually succeeds in giving his royal subjects--and the ongoing conflicts with their respective families--a familiar, all-too-human scale. --Jerry McCulley


From Publishers Weekly
The "happily ever after" marriage of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III of Monaco is explored and demythologized in this fascinating, compelling and well-researched royal biography. After failed romances with married co-stars (Ray Milland and William Holden) and turning down a marriage proposal from Oleg Cassini, Kelly met Rainier, the prince of a popular Mediterranean resort town who was searching for a princess he hoped would become "the manifestation of all that we hope for and dream about in Monaco." Nine months after what was called "the wedding of the century" (watched by 30 million TV viewers) in 1956, Grace gave birth to the first of their three children. Never planning to stop making films, she bowed to her husband's wishes and soon her loneliness and boredom were replaced by severe depression. The prince encouraged her to accept Alfred Hitchcock's offer of the lead in Marnie. But the subjects of Monaco objected and forced her to withdraw. Before her tragic car accident death in 1982, Grace found contentment in the life she chose. As he demonstrated in his 2002 bestseller, Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, Taraborrelli is adept at illuminating political intrigue and complex family dynamics. He smoothly weaves together hundreds of exclusive interviews (in fast-paced, short chapters) to create vivid, full-blooded portraits. This is the definitive book on a marriage that started as an arrangement but ended as a love story. 16 pages of b&w photos.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Whether you're a history enthusiast or a fan of love stories, the remarkable story of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier offers plenty to touch you. Grace was challenged by her roles as princess, wife, and mother; biographer Taraborrelli presents a well-researched account of her life and sudden death. Edward Herrmann's warm narration invites the listener into the life of Grace Kelly, from her years growing up in Philadelphia to her role as a movie star to her meeting and marrying the Prince of Monaco. Herrmann seamlessly moves from straight narration to portraying interviews with the Princess, Prince Rainier, and the other members of their families. Although aware of the tragic ending, the listener will enjoy reliving Grace's life and seeing the world through her eyes. K.M.D. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
A journalist and the popular biographer of such luminaries as Madonna, Frank Sinatra, and Michael Jackson now turns his focus on a supremely glamorous couple, the late Grace Kelly and her princely husband. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Publishers Weekly, 4/15/03
"... illuminating political intrigue and complex family dynamics...vivid, full-blooded portraits..."


Book Description
From master storyteller J. Randy Taraborrelli comes the powerful and moving story of one of royalty's most secretive families. Grace Kelly was swept away when the handsome Prince Rainier, a man she barely knew, asked for her hand in marriage. After a series of relationships with married co-stars, she was exhausted by the show-business lifestyle. If she married Rainier, she would be more than just a movie star, she would be Her Serene Royal Highness Princess Grace. Once in the palace, however, Grace found herself trapped in a fairy tale of her own making. Forced to make sacrifices that cut deeply into the core of who she was as a woman, she would then surrender her desires and ambitions for her spouse and her children. Grace and Rainier may have been royalty, but they were also husband and wife, and parents--and, as such, just as vulnerable to the conflicts that can contaminate any household. Drawing upon hundreds of exclusive interviews with family and friends, ONCE UPON A TIME portrays its subjects with passion and sympathy, revealing Grace, Rainier, Caroline, Albert, and Stephanie in ways both startling and compelling.


Download Description
Grace Kelly was swept away when the handsome Prince Rainier, a man she barely knew, asked for her hand in marriage. After a series of relationships with married co-stars, she was exhausted by the show-business lifestyle. If she married Rainier, she would be more than just a movie star, she would be Her Serene Royal Highness Princess Grace. Once in the palace, however, Grace found herself trapped in a fairytale of her own making. Forced to make sacrifices that cut deeply into the core of who she was as a woman, she would then surrender her desires and ambitions for her spouse and her children. Grace and Rainier may have been royalty, but they were also husband and wife, and parents-and as such, just as vulnerable to the conflicts that can contaminate any household. Drawing upon hundreds of exclusive interviews with family and friends, ONCE UPON A TIME portrays its subjects with passion and sympathy, revealing Grace, Rainier, Caroline, Albert, and Stephanie in ways both startling and compelling.


About the Author
J. Randy Taraborrelli lives in Los Angeles, California.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The fairy tale wedding of Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco captured the imagination of the world. In this intimate look behind the palace gates, bestselling biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli discloses the heartbreaking sacrifices Princess Grace made in her quest to live happily ever after. Based on hundreds of interviews with family and friends, this book reveals: Why Grace decided to marry Rainier...the Prince's startling prenuptial demands...Grace's despair over her husband's refusal to let her continue her acting career...the couple's losing battle to control the behavior of their high-spirited daughters...Grace's advice to Princess Di on adjusting to life as a royal...the facts behind the tragic and mysterious accident that ended Grace's life...and much more.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

... illuminating political intrigue and complex family dynamics...vivid, full-blooded portraits...

Publishers Weekly

The "happily ever after" marriage of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III of Monaco is explored and demythologized in this fascinating, compelling and well-researched royal biography. After failed romances with married co-stars (Ray Milland and William Holden) and turning down a marriage proposal from Oleg Cassini, Kelly met Rainier, the prince of a popular Mediterranean resort town who was searching for a princess he hoped would become "the manifestation of all that we hope for and dream about in Monaco." Nine months after what was called "the wedding of the century" (watched by 30 million TV viewers) in 1956, Grace gave birth to the first of their three children. Never planning to stop making films, she bowed to her husband's wishes and soon her loneliness and boredom were replaced by severe depression. The prince encouraged her to accept Alfred Hitchcock's offer of the lead in Marnie. But the subjects of Monaco objected and forced her to withdraw. Before her tragic car accident death in 1982, Grace found contentment in the life she chose. As he demonstrated in his 2002 bestseller, Jackie, Ethel, Joan: Women of Camelot, Taraborrelli is adept at illuminating political intrigue and complex family dynamics. He smoothly weaves together hundreds of exclusive interviews (in fast-paced, short chapters) to create vivid, full-blooded portraits. This is the definitive book on a marriage that started as an arrangement but ended as a love story. 16 pages of b&w photos. Agent, Jonathan Hahn. (Apr.) Forecast: A three-city author tour hits L.A., New York and Grace Kelly's hometown of Philadelphia. Thanks to previous bestselling biographies-Call Her Miss Ross (on Diana Ross), Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness, Sinatra: A Complete Life and Madonna: An Intimate Biography-Taraborrelli is a familiar commentator on TV bio shows. This should follow the rest of his books up the bestseller list. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Princess Grace, a.k.a. Grace Kelly, was the 1950s ideal-a tall, slender, blue-eyed blonde, an "ice princess." Her father was a self-made millionaire, and her mother had longings to be part of high society. The Kellys were Catholic, and Grace's siblings, like their father, were very athletic and competitive. The third of four children, she felt she had to do something extraordinary to win her father's love and approval. Once her career began, she became the favorite of directors and gossip columnists and was often linked romantically with her costars. When the Academy Award-winner decided to attend the Cannes Film Festival in 1955, it was suggested she meet and be photographed with Prince Rainier of Monaco as a "publicity stunt." They were married a year later. The author's effort and research are admirable; he offers a fascinating glimpse of two very public lives. Read by Edward Herrmann, Once Upon a Time is recommended for all public libraries with large biography collections.-Pam Kingsbury, Florence, AL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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