toastlover1's review
3.0
I read this memoir on the recommendation of a theater professor. Even though I am not an actor, I love memoirs of people I've watched for years. I was also voyeuristically curious as to Ms. Turner's rather drastic physical changes since I watched "Romancing the Stone" as a kid and why she had disappeared so suddenly from mainstream films. I would describe this book as a good fit for several types of people: actors (especially stage), women who believe in self-empowerment (especially of a certain age), and people who have suffered (or watched someone suffer) from a chronic illness. Ms. Turner is opinionated and intelligent, and she is aware and proud of it. Sometimes her insight is profound, and sometimes she seems narcissistic. Her opinions can be quite reductive and judgemental, for instance, her descriptions of Los Angeles came across as biased, clique and "New York elitist" to someone who lives here. I felt that the book could have been a bit shorter and that some of the bloating was a bit self-indulgent, yet not surprising from a woman who acknowledges being in love with her own voice. Overall, the strengths outway the weaknesses and it is a very readable book.
sunshinemagik's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
songbirdz's review
It was interesting, but probably not something I'd read through again. I've never seen her movies, so the connection isn't really there for me. Yes it's a memoir of her life, but her me me me seemed a little excessive. I certainly do give her credit though for putting it out there. She's honest and certainly seemed to know what she wanted - like when she went for Virginia Woolfe, if I remember correctly.
eandrews80's review
4.0
When I was in middle school, I had an inexplicable yet hopeless celebrity crush on Kathleen Turner. I watched Romancing the Stone and Undercover Blues for months on end. I'm still vaguely embarrassed by this fact, but reading her book has lessened my guilt. She is, put simply, a pretty kick-ass broad. No-nonsense, blunt at times, honest, ballsy, and passionate. This probably isn't the best written celebrity autobiography on the market, but it's entertaining and has a lot of wisdom to offer. Her struggle with and victory over rheumatoid arthritis actually brought me to tears at one point.
michaeldmcclain's review
4.0
I think I've only seen a handful of Kathleen Turner's films but when you explore someone's life, like you do when you read their memoir, it makes you want to learn more about them and watch more of their work. Ms. Turner is bold but humble about her accomplishments and heartbreakingly honest about the losses. Her confidence-it never goes into arrogant territory-shines through. That confidence is very inspiring. And if you listen to the audiobook, her voice is warm like butter and makes you feel like you're sitting across from her in a big armchair, with a glass of whiskey, and she's telling it like it is.
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