Thing of Beauty

In this compelling biography, author Stephen Fried chronicles the rise and fall of Gia Carangi, who transitioned from a teenage counter worker to one of the fashion industry's most iconic models within a year. Despite her fame, Gia struggled with personal demons, including a relentless need for her mother's approval and a devastating drug addiction that ultimately led to her downfall and death from AIDS at just twenty-six. Drawing on extensive interviews, Fried's work not only revisits Gia's tumultuous life but also reflects on broader societal themes surrounding beauty, fame, and the complexities of love and loss.