Portrait of Jennifer: A Biography of Jennifer Jones

Portrait of Jennifer: A Biography of Jennifer Jones Edward Z. Epstein (Simon & Schuster, $24) There are two ways to read this biography of the actress Jennifer Jones. First, as a fascinating tale of how a Hollywood star can be crafted and maintained, seemingly regardless of talent and box office draw. ! Grant her a lover (and later husband) like David O. Selznick, with the publicity force field that goes with him, and even a critical disaster like Duel in the Sun can be outlived. Or, one can approach Portrait of Jennifer from the perspective that an editor isn't such a bad thing after all. Where was the editor on this book? The reader almost feels compassion for the thorough research of Epstein, who has dredged up more details than any fan could ever dream of but continually stumbles on his own language. Dramatic times are rendered as ''The month was full of surprises for Jennifer Jones'' or ''Once again the beleaguered actress had stumbled out of the limelight and into the cold.'' Ultimately, Epstein can provide little in- sight into an actress who, notoriously shy of the press, refused to elaborate on her life, even for this book. C+ -Rebecca Ascher-Walsh