Book Review: How to Catch a Man, How to Keep a Man, How to Get Rid of a Man

The Glamorous Life of Zsa Zsa Gábor

Zsa Zsa Gábor, the Hungarian-born actress and socialite, was the epitome of Hollywood glamour during its golden era. With a career spanning decades, she graced numerous films and television shows, leaving an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. Yet, she was just as famous for her extravagant personal life—nine marriages, opulent living, and a sharp wit that made her a captivating public figure. Her 1970s book, How to Catch a Man, How to Keep a Man, How to Get Rid of a Man, reflects that same larger-than-life persona, blending memoir with relationship advice steeped in European sophistication.

A Time Capsule of Relationship Advice

Reading How to Catch a Man feels like stepping into a time capsule of 1970s romance and social norms. The book is a delightful mix of memoir and advice, capturing attitudes that have both evolved and endured over the past fifty years.

Gábor’s candid, often humorous approach makes for a quick and engaging read, offering a glimpse into past gender dynamics while sparking reflection on modern relationships. Some of her advice may seem impractical, outdated, or even offensive, but her charismatic writing suggests the book was always meant as entertainment rather than a rigid self-help guide.

Zsa Zsa's Views on Relationships and Social Etiquette

While some of Gábor’s perspectives would raise eyebrows today, they provide a fascinating lens on relationship dynamics—past and present. Her reflections highlight the importance of charm, femininity, and maintaining attraction within a marriage. Below is an excerpt that perfectly captures her humor and unapologetic perspective:

What is really important for a woman, you know, even more than being beautiful or intelligent, is to be entertaining...to be an entertaining and interesting wife, you have to look nice and attractive. Any woman who slops around the house all the time with grease on her face and curlers in her hair in front of her husband is a dumb woman...She should never forget that her husband goes to the office where the secretaries look their best in order to attract every man’s attention, because, after all, they don’t want to stay secretaries all their life. There’s no bigger competition for a wife than a secretary. They always are sweet, charming, and talented and intelligent and they never have to ask for money for groceries, never have to tell him that the child is sick, never have to ask for a new fur coat, so why shouldn’t the husband rather take out the secretary for the evening, even if it costs the most expensive French champagne? Still she’s much less expensive than a wife.

I keep on telling this about secretaries to my girlfriends and they never believe it. Every secretary practically today goes in a miniskirt, beautifully looked after because she’s still on the chase. And the man comes from home where the wife has been complaining about the plumber, complaining about the children, complaining about everything, and so he goes to the office to that wonderful secretary...The husband says to himself, “My God, efficient, beautiful, and not one complaint.”

So be smart. Outsmart the secretary. Don’t complain. Try to help your husband instead of upsetting him with things at home. Look lovely. If you find out the secretary is 10 years younger than you, it doesn’t matter. Go to the best hairdresser. Buy the best creams for your face. Shorten your skirt, or deepen your décolletage. If you are too fat, lose weight. After all, you have him, but you also have to keep him…and keep him from keeping her. —Zsa Zsa Gábor

Revisiting Zsa Zsa's Legacy

Gábor's advice, though steeped in 1970s gender norms, still holds an underlying message about effort and reciprocity in relationships. Her emphasis on charm, confidence, and self-care aligns with modern discussions about maintaining relationship attraction and fostering intimacy.

While much of Zsa Zsa's advice might be dismissed by contemporary audiences, revisiting her book offers valuable insights into historical perspectives on love and marriage. By understanding past norms, we can better appreciate the shifts in gender dynamics and the evolution of romantic relationships. Whether readers find her insights amusing, thought-provoking, or antiquated, How to Catch a Man, How to Keep a Man, How to Get Rid of a Man remains a fascinating read that captures the spirit of a bygone era.

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