Julie Andrews has been one of my very favorite singer-actresses since I first saw her in The Sound of Music when I was 7 years old. I have watched almost all of her movies and this book points out many that I didn't even know she was in! A couple of years ago, my oldest daughter, Courtney, gave me the 2 memoirs for Christmas. I cherish them!
SUMMARY
This is a non-fiction memoir written by Julie and her daughter Emma (from her first marriage to Tony Walton). We learn of her start in singing/acting/musicals in the first memoir Home. I reviewed that a while back.
This book centers on her film career in Hollywood.
She begins with her role in Mary Poppins and let's face it.....there is NO one who can do Mary Poppins like Julie Andrews!! That musical movie was then quickly followed by her amazing role as Maria in The Sound of Music. That was my absolute favorite section of the book. I loved that she included so many photos from the filming, too.
These films brought Julie Andrews to success. She is an icon to millions of people throughout the world.
She writes with a frank candor and she seems very charming. She has given the reader a good look at the behind the scenes workings of Hollywood and it is not all glamorous by a long shot!
After her marriage to Tony ended, their daughter Emma split her time between the two. Julie then married Blake Edwards who wrote and produced many notable films (The Pink Panther series, Victor/Victoria, 10, S.O.B) Victor/Victoria was a gender-bending comedy that earned multiple Oscar nominations. I really never saw the complete film so that is on my bucket list!
This book delves into her personal family life. For instance, I did not know that she had adopted (with Blake) 2 little girls, a year apart, from Vietnam just after the horrible war. This was an informative peek into her feelings and thoughts during a crazy busy time in her life going from her homes in Los Angeles and Switzerland (her preferance). They also lived for a time in NYC and London.
I had known she had written a children's book for her daughter Emma titled Mandy but I didn't know she went on to write more books with her daughter, for children. If I ever have grandchildren, I may buy some of those books!
There were a couple of quotes that jumped out at me:
"...when singing, one exposes one's soul.......dancers can look at a mirror, a writer can look at a page, and a painter can look at a canvas and see their work reflected back at them. But singers can only hear and feel what they are doing. After all the training, technique, use of breath, and placement of sound, it boils down to an emotional repsonse to music and lyrics---and the way they touch one's heart and soul" (pg 257 Home Work by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton, c 2019)
Maybe because I majored in Music Education/Piano and minored in Voice that this resonated with me!
and this one after she toured war-torn Cambodia and South Vietnam:
"I don't understand why the world as an international body isn't able to help more. the common denominator is human misery. The most important thing I have learned is the simplest of all: people are just people---no matter their politics, their skin color, or where they live. There is no difference in our humanity; only in our circumstances" (pg 295)
Amen, Julie!
and finally, this:
"I have been lucky. To have been given the gift of song---and to recognize that it was a gift; to have been mentored by giants, who taught, influenced, and shaped me; to have gained resilience from hard work; to have loved, and been loved; and to have sometimes felt an angel on my shoulder, a reassuring presence that helped center and guide me when I needed it most...actually, that's more than luck. I am profoundly blessed." (page 316)
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir and I highly recommend both books if you are a fan of Julie Andrews.
There are some deep struggles in this book: drug addiction (her brother); feelings of abandonment and trust issues (her adopted daughters); split families and blended families (between her and Tony; and Blake's children from a previous marriage); suicidal attempts (Blake's ex-wife) and the many things that go into a working woman's life when raising children in different countries!
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to some mature content)
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this a 10.
1 comment:
I gave my Mom this book for Christmas. And now it's my turn to read it. Can't wait to get to it. I remember not liking Victor/Victoria but it's been so long since I've seen it.
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