clemmi's review
5.0
This is an incredible book. So humble and life-affirming. Lots of stories of humans at their best in here.
rodhunt's review
3.0
Good - lots of McInnes fun and more serious stuff - especially about facing death - from Watt (although she had a great sense of fun too.)
larrys's review
4.0
This month's bookclub selection.
As it was handed out to bookclub members last month, this book was introduced with, 'A little *light* reading this month.' There is that feel about it -- magazine-glossy paper with a generous number of full-page colour photos. An easy read, surely.
"Who are these people?" someone asked, and it may have been me. I don't know much about famous people. Last time bookclub was required to read something written by an Australian actor, it was Judy Nunn's Maralinga, and my scathing rant has gone down in bookclub history as the shit-brown standard for scathing rants, mainly because I gave it negative 36 out of 10.
However, William McInnes is as much writer as he is actor. Sarah Watt I knew only as a director -- I had no idea the two were married. I've seen Look Both Ways and My Year Without Sex, but because I spend more time in imaginary worlds than in the real one, I hadn't realised Sarah Watt had died. I still may not have realised that, had I not been told at book club, by the same person who declared this 'a light read'.
This is far, far from a light read. Getting my dates mixed up, I've had to read most of it in a single sitting, and I feel the way I felt after watching Look Both Ways: Utterly affected, looking at life as a big picture of big emotions, mulling over death.
The humour of McInnes and the fact that Sarah Watts is writing in first person, often in present tense, only makes her 2011 death feel sadder.
I'm sad not just for the family, but sad also because there are too few women making films, and even fewer making films *about* women. So to lose someone just as she (probably) was moving into her prime movie-making years is gut-wrenching.
I found myself willingly distracted by email and Facebook just so I wouldn't have to sink into the final chapter of this memoir. I already know that some of the bookclub members haven't been able to read it due to the topics, but I'm interested to hear what others think of this book tonight.
As it was handed out to bookclub members last month, this book was introduced with, 'A little *light* reading this month.' There is that feel about it -- magazine-glossy paper with a generous number of full-page colour photos. An easy read, surely.
"Who are these people?" someone asked, and it may have been me. I don't know much about famous people. Last time bookclub was required to read something written by an Australian actor, it was Judy Nunn's Maralinga, and my scathing rant has gone down in bookclub history as the shit-brown standard for scathing rants, mainly because I gave it negative 36 out of 10.
However, William McInnes is as much writer as he is actor. Sarah Watt I knew only as a director -- I had no idea the two were married. I've seen Look Both Ways and My Year Without Sex, but because I spend more time in imaginary worlds than in the real one, I hadn't realised Sarah Watt had died. I still may not have realised that, had I not been told at book club, by the same person who declared this 'a light read'.
This is far, far from a light read. Getting my dates mixed up, I've had to read most of it in a single sitting, and I feel the way I felt after watching Look Both Ways: Utterly affected, looking at life as a big picture of big emotions, mulling over death.
The humour of McInnes and the fact that Sarah Watts is writing in first person, often in present tense, only makes her 2011 death feel sadder.
I'm sad not just for the family, but sad also because there are too few women making films, and even fewer making films *about* women. So to lose someone just as she (probably) was moving into her prime movie-making years is gut-wrenching.
I found myself willingly distracted by email and Facebook just so I wouldn't have to sink into the final chapter of this memoir. I already know that some of the bookclub members haven't been able to read it due to the topics, but I'm interested to hear what others think of this book tonight.
sharolyn's review
4.0
I liked Sarah Watt's chapters better than Williams'. He seems like a great Aussie bloke, a genuinely nice guy, but I did find myself hanging out for his chapters to finish so that I could read Sarah's which are interspersed. Perhaps it was her female perspective, perhaps it was because I love her films and I know she battled cancer and I wanted to hear her perspectives. The last few chapters were particularly raw but I appreciated the open and honest tone of the whole book. An unusual format (the book is a non-con-formative size) and with photographs throughout that have no captions or explanation - though I will always encourage pictures - I would have liked to know more about their meanings. A lovely read, the small chunks made it possible to fit in
during breastfeeds. (I think if there were half stars I would give it 3.5 but I'll err on the side of generosity)
during breastfeeds. (I think if there were half stars I would give it 3.5 but I'll err on the side of generosity)
leepydumpling's review
4.0
Beautiful. I laughed, I cried, I felt like I was reading about old friends.
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