Book Review: Marti Rulli and Dennis Davern’s Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour

It’s rare these days for me to pick up a book just because. I either read to review or have a writing how to book in hand. My Kindle reads are free reads I pick up in my spare time which isn’t often.  I thought I’d share a review today on a book I simply picked up. If you’re around my age perhaps this is a story you too remember.

I remember being 11 years old and hearing the news about Natalie Wood’s drowning. Even then, as a kid, the report surrounding her death made little sense. It has been one of those news stories I never forgot.

I discovered GNGS after learning about Ms. Rulli on Twitter. I immediately got the book and read it in under 24 hours. At times I felt the build up was a bit slow but a clear story was created to flesh out each person in this story and their relationship. The author was transparent in sharing Dennis Davern’s drinking and the different interviews he/they gave throughout the years. I came away finding Dennis Davern an employee of Wood and Wagner who was also a loyal friend. I absolutely believe he was petrified to tell the whole story and it took him as long as it did for the reasons they gave. I believe he drank to excess to self medicate even though it could also be used against him as a reason to not find him credible. He truly cared about Natalie and Robert Wagner and was very cognizant of her daughters and what all this would mean to them. I believe it took him years to see once Natalie was gone, the friendship was one sided and it was Denny’s for what was Natalie and RJ. If the friendship was mutual between Robert Wagner and Dennis Davern, it stopped being mutual the night Natalie died.

Ms. Rulli writes out each theory regarding Natalie’s death and pulls quotes from the articles and books about it over the years. She pieces everything together including witnesses who heard and saw things that night. When she weaves in Dennis’ account, I realized what a true tragedy her death was and that my 11 year old instincts were on target.

I also enjoyed this book because Dennis Davern’s account is clear regarding Christopher Walken and his conduct on the boat. As a kid who grew up watching Christoper Walken revered as a mysterious actor I always wondered about his time on the boat that night. The book makes sense to me and in it, there are no winners, although Christopher Walken definitely comes across as an actor who was on a dreadful journey he’ll never forget and knew for his best interest, silence was key.

I recommend this book for any fan of Natalie Wood, anyone who remembers her death and is curious to learn more. When I closed the book I realized how comprehensive and believable the book was. I draw the same conclusion they do and share their anger and frustration. This is worth your time.

I’m guessing most readers would understand with a celebrity story there is going to be an assortment of profanity laced throughout the book. That is definitely the case here. If strong profanity offends you, it is contained in this book through recollection and conduct key to the night of her death.

feature image from Amazon.com.

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