Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Home: A Memoir of My Early Years
Book Review: BY GEORGE, SHE'S GOT IT!
Summary: 4 Stars
Finally! The woman who brought life to the landmark musicals The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady and Camelot, and the woman who will always and forever be Mary Poppins---has written her life story. OK, so the book ends with Julie and hubby Tony Walton and babies flying first-class to California where Walt Disney (and a new book) awaits. Better than actually reading the book is listening to Andrews read it herself---the audio version of Home takes us through Andrews' parents' divorce and her early musical career as she traveled to perform vaudeville and musical theater, eventually financially supporting her mother and alcoholic stepfather. To listen to Andrews describing the incredible scenes of the London Blitz during WWI---at age 9, she was the only child able to identify the sound of German bombers and was charged with alerting her entire neighborhood---is as electric as it is eerie. There are wonderful anecdotes about wonderful friends and co-stars; the ribald story of Noel Coward at a certain "audition" had me howling for hours. As an extra bonus, Andrews reading includes original music by Ian Fraser and contains an enhanced CD with photos from Andrews' personal family photo collection. What is here is a richly detailed, poignant memoir, recounted in a voice as captivating on every page as it has been done on stage and on film, in that veddy proper British bent. By George, she's got it (down)!Book Review: How Can You Not Love Julie Andrews?
Summary: 5 Stars
I think she has never really been given her due outside of "The Sound of Music" but Julie Andrews was gifted with a truly heavenly voice and a strong acting talent as well. This book takes you to where it all began.
A great read for Andrews' fans.
Book Review: Surprising memoir
Summary: 5 Stars
The perfect upper crust image that many have of Julie Andrews is blown out of the water by this well-written, detailed memoir of her far-from-classy beginnings. Many will be surprised that she was raised in something very close to poverty in a family that was often torn apart by drink and infidelity. Along the way, however, she was loved enough to become a tender, grounded person capable of using her amazing voice and dramatic talent to thrill the world. The stories of her childhood are fascinating and every theater fan will relish her memories of her extraordinary Broadway years. The book ends just as she's about to begin filming "Mary Poppins."
Please hurry with the rest of the story, Miss Andrews! Even though I've followed your movie career from Day One, I'm still waiting with happy anticipations to read all about it in your own well-chosen words.
Book Review: Loved Home but it wasn't enough
Summary: 5 Stars
Julie Andrews' Home is a lovely account about her early days in England, concluding just as she arrives in the U.S. where her career truly took off. It is beautifully written and wonderfully supported with details and many interesting accounts I knew nothing about. I was so sorry when it ended where it did because I, as probably many other readers, would love to know her sentiments about how the remainder of her marvelous career developed. Some of her insights and honesty are richly rewarding because she has always been that illustrious "star" so well admired by fellow entertainers and zillions of us, her fans. Home is a tease and I hope she will one day collaborate with her daughter, Emma, and finish the rest of the story.Book Review: Julie Andrews is one Fair Lady
Summary: 5 Stars
Julie Andrews is no stranger to the world of books and it's apparent in her biography. It's a well written book and Julie's personality shines through it. The details of Julie's early life may be more of a revelation to the readers than the parts of the book dealing with her broadway success and beyond. Still, Julie presents her feelings about some well-known events, such as being given massive amounts of coaching by Moss Hart in preparation for her role as Eliza Doolittle. This is a classy book about a classy lady.