Donna and Rudy Rewrite History

The cover of Donna Hanover’s new memoir, My Boyfriend’sBack, prominently identifies her as New York City’s former FirstLady, but reporters seeking to interview her about it are barred from bringing up one awkward topic: her marriage to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Hudson Street Press, animprint of Penguin, paid Hanover a six-figure advance to write her book, whichdiscusses her rekindled romance with the high school boyfriend she married shortly after divorcing Rudy. Though Hanover agreed to participate in an extensive PR push to promote the thin work, sources say that her agreement withthe publisher bans interviewers from asking her about her famously awful marriage. While most reporters agreed to Hanover’s terms, Oprah Winfreystood firm until Hanover reluctantly relented to a quick exchange abouther divorce. Despite all the publicity, however, the book appears to be a flop.“This was a dumb idea,” says a source inside the publishing house.“Even with all the marketing and publicity we did, it only made theextended best-seller list, and then only for a week....

The cover of Donna Hanover’s new memoir, My Boyfriend’sBack, prominently identifies her as New York City’s former FirstLady, but reporters seeking to interview her about it are barred from bringing up one awkward topic: her marriage to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Hudson Street Press, animprint of Penguin, paid Hanover a six-figure advance to write her book, whichdiscusses her rekindled romance with the high school boyfriend she married shortly after divorcing Rudy. Though Hanover agreed to participate in an extensive PR push to promote the thin work, sources say that her agreement withthe publisher bans interviewers from asking her about her famously awful marriage. While most reporters agreed to Hanover’s terms, Oprah Winfreystood firm until Hanover reluctantly relented to a quick exchange abouther divorce. Despite all the publicity, however, the book appears to be a flop.“This was a dumb idea,” says a source inside the publishing house.“Even with all the marketing and publicity we did, it only made theextended best-seller list, and then only for a week. She landed Oprah and stillit went nowhere. Who cares about her old boyfriend? The only reason she got anyairtime was because she’d been married to Giuliani!”