Past Imperfect

 Joan Collins

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
Genre: Nonfiction

Past Imperfect is a book about the early life and career of Joan Collins, tracing her path from a post-war English childhood to her break into Golden Age Hollywood. Across its pages, Collins recounts the highs and lows of her studio career alongside her tumultuous personal life, including her first three marriages and several high-profile romances. Beyond the surface glamour and studio politics, the memoir takes a heavy turn when she opens up about her daughter’s near-fatal car accident and painful recovery, giving readers a surprisingly raw look at the woman behind the public image.

I have to admit, as a huge fan of Dynasty, I went into this full of expectations. I started reading the book without even checking the publication date, so I spent half the time wondering and waiting for Alexis Carrington to make her grand entrance. It never happened. It turns out the book came out back in 1978, a few years before Dynasty ever hit television screens. I was definitely disappointed at first, and honestly, if I had known that beforehand, I probably would’ve passed on it entirely. Still, I'm glad I stuck with it. Joan Collins happens to be a genuinely captivating star, and getting a window into her early life was surprisingly rewarding, imperfect as that past appears to have been.

Where the book really hooked me was its behind-the-scenes look at how Old Hollywood actually functioned. Collins doesn't just list her acting credits; she offers a candid glimpse into standard 1950s contract deals, awkward screen tests, and the bizarre machinery of studio PR. Her account may suggest a lot of glamour on the outside, but it seems life on set was mostly relentless grinding and navigating predatory studio execs. Her witty, unfiltered voice makes those old industry mechanics feel human and real rather than like a dry history lesson.

That said, because the story focuses heavily on the 1950s and 60s, a lot of the references flew right over my head. I’m just not that familiar with every B-movie director or minor starlet from that period, so some chapters felt a bit bogged down by names I had to look up—or simply gave up on trying to place. The abrupt tonal shift from light party gossip to the heartbreaking reality of her daughter's injury can also feel a little jarring to read. Even so, Collins’ charm keeps things moving, making it a solid, worthwhile read for anyone who enjoys classic Hollywood memoirs.

Key Themes

• Resilience
• Survival
• Motherhood
• Vulnerability
• Hollywood
• Reinvention