Faye D. Resnick

A few years after reading this work (see review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/1011277/reviews/23929153) I happened to listen to the abridged audio version. Clocking in at 3 hrs of playing time, that was plenty to give the reader/ listener more than enough of the book's content.

As recounted in Faye's breathy voice, the listener learns of the final years of Nicole's life after her separation from ex-sports star OJ Simpson, as well as the violent temper and jealousy that led Simpson to murder her. Likewise, despite the heavy abridgement, the salacious details made the cut (Nicole's alleged sexual preferences; the famous "Brentwood Hello"; and Nicole and Faye's night between the sheets). This work was widely panned as trashy and opportunistic, and with good reason. Two years after its publication, Faye cashed in again on her brief friendship with Nicole, with a book on the murder trial itself. In subsequent years. Faye eventually kicked her drug habit; posed for Playboy magazine; and went on to become a "socialite" (whatever that is) and a "television personality".… (plus d'informations)

Faye Resnick's first claim to fame is that she had been friends with Nicole Simpson, wife of sports star OJ Simpson who brutally murdered her in 1994. In this brief work, she (through a ghost writer) portrays Nicole's relationship with OJ in the three years after their separation and divorce, and offers her perspective on what led OJ to murder Nicole.

It's hard to view this work dispassionately. On the one hand, Faye is a far from admirable character; she comes across as spoiled, wealthy, and narcissistic; a woman with a history of broken marriages, and drug and alcohol abuse. What's more, she opportunistically used her friend's murder to gain fame for herself; in fact, she published this book during OJ Simpson's trial for murder, thereby increasing the risk of a mistrial. On the other hand, if this memoir can be trusted, Nicole told Faye of several serious episodes of spousal abuse and beatings by OJ, and her belief that OJ ultimately would kill her and get away with it (as he of course did). Thus, OJ is portrayed as a possessive, controlling, and jealous man with an uncontrollable temper, and who had a long history of violence towards Nicole. This portrayal is consistent with the strong (and in fact overwhelming) evidence that OJ murdered his ex-wife.

The book is trashy and gossipy. We're told of partying and rampant promiscuity; of Nicole's affair with OJ's close friend Marcus; and of her (alleged) growing predilection for interracial liaisons. Readers interested in prurient details will thrill at the "Brentwood Hello" (Nicole's very friendly way of welcoming male newcomers), as well as Faye and Nicole's (alleged) night of passion. Faye seems compelled to insist to the reader (or is it to her future husbands) that she has no lesbian tendencies, this being a one-time event. As for Ron Goldman (who was also murdered by OJ), we're assured that Nicole had a crush on him but had no physical relationship with him.

Overall, this brief work will chiefly be of interest to those obsessed with the OJ Simpson/ Nicole Brown murder case, which (after nearly a quarter century) represent a small and declining number of people.… (plus d'informations)