Status
Available
Publication
Hachette Books (2015), Edition: Reprint, 320 pages
Description
A personal account of the iconic actress's pre-fame life traces the time between her birth in 1935 and her discovery by Walt Disney during her 1962 Broadway performance in Camelot, a period marked by her relationships with a vaudevillian mother and teacher father, the World War II London Blitz, and her work as a Royal Command Performance child soloist.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member clamato
I can't wait to read this! Such a beautiful photo on the cover - she has freckles! She's one of my all-time favourite actresses! And we share the same name. Sound of Music is one of my top 10s. Gush gush, gush but who doesn't love Julie Andrews??
LibraryThing member francesuzanne
This is a delightful book. A very easy read but lot's of details from Julie Andrews life from the beginning up to just before filming Mary Poppins. Anyone who loves Julie Andrews will love this book. She has included secrets about her family that even her siblings didn't know until she wrote this
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book. She also includes lots of brief stories of many other famous people like Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Carol Burnett, Queen Elizabeth II, Walt Disney and many others. I can't wait until she writes about the rest of her life. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucymaesmom
Really liked it. Need more pictures, though! Hoping she writes a sequal
LibraryThing member sleepydumpling
An excellent read, a frank and flowing view of Julie's early life. I admire her all the more after reading this book.
LibraryThing member DF6B_LaurenE
This was an absolutely wonderful book! It begins back about 2 generations of her family and everything that they had to deal with back then. It moves to more recent times to when she was a little girl, with her mom, dad, step-dad, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, and eventually her husband
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and daughter. She talks about her "job" to watch/listen for bombs during World War II, she talks about her singing careers on Broadway playing lead characters in shows like "The Boy Friend" and "My Fair Lady". Show Less
LibraryThing member mochap
An absolute must to listen to on CD--read by the fabulous authoress herself. Captures an era, and genteelly tells of her early life and family. Lovely.
LibraryThing member BrokenSpines
This is far more than just an autobiography; it's a fascinating history of the waning days of the British Music Hall era and of the early years of Broadway's "Golden Age." Ms. Andrews graciously pays homage to many British music hall performers who were the stars of their day. Her descriptions of
Full of interesting facts like this: Andrews needed a dialog coach to master Eliza Doolittle's Cockney accent..
Recommended for anyone interested in theatre.
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their acts are important contributions to theatre history. Full of interesting facts like this: Andrews needed a dialog coach to master Eliza Doolittle's Cockney accent..
Recommended for anyone interested in theatre.
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LibraryThing member debs4jc
Some books are enhanced so much by hearing them in the authors own voice, and that is definitely the case with this one. I greatly enjoyed hearing Julie Andrew's elegant voice narrating the events of her life. The book got off to a slow start, but once Julie's career started to take off things
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really got interesting as she related her her experiences on Broadway with My Fair Lady and Camelot. She shares about her rocky family background, her early romances, and most of all about all the wonderful and memorable people she met as a result of her work. The snatches of music in between each chapter and disc also lend the perfect tone to this book, as do small excerpts of Julie's musical performances. Definitely pop this into this your CD player for an entrancing listening experience--but be warned, the book ends abruptly and you will be left wondering when Ms. Andrews plans to come out with the next volume. Show Less
LibraryThing member pictou
This was a bit of fluff on my part--celebrity autobiography. Easy reading, a bit of sorrow for the way she was treated as a meal ticket as a child. Her earnings ended up be the main support for a dysfunctional, English showbiz family. Surprising is the lack of financial savvy in a woman whom I
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thought would have handled her career better. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rebalioness
A very comprehensive memoir up to the start of filming of Mary Poppins and the birth of her daughter. Julie does not like 'dishing dirt' on anyone, so no major scandals are exposed. A good read for anyone interested in theater history.
LibraryThing member savageknight
I had been looking forward to reading this biography from the time I purchased it. Not really knowing much of Julie Andrews beyond Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, I was curious to see how much of who she is came out on the screen.
As a bio, it did its job of informing me of how she got into the
Seeing as this bio really just takes us to the initial meeting with Walt Disney, I'm thinking that any follow-up bio would truly be more to what I'm looking for.
As a bio, it did its job of informing me of how she got into the
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business and her slow rise to stardom through the trials and tribulations of the Stage. However, it was often more a simple retelling of places and events as opposed to really digging in to learn about who she is/ was and her thoughts/ desires/ dreams coming up in the world. I think the most shocking thing (for me) was reading about how pregnancy tests were done way back when!!Seeing as this bio really just takes us to the initial meeting with Walt Disney, I'm thinking that any follow-up bio would truly be more to what I'm looking for.
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LibraryThing member millhold
The books is well written, and I enjoyed it; I have only myself to blame for being irritated at the ending. The cover clearly explains that this is a "Memoir of My Early Years," therefore, I shouldn't have been annoyed when the book ended just as she is flying to California to make [Mary Poppins].
Andrews is very forthcoming about those kinds of family details most of us would rather keep private. Like many others, her relationship with her mother was very complicated, and the relationship with her step-father was most unfortunate. Luckily, her father and step-mother seem always to have proved dependable.
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Andrews is very forthcoming about those kinds of family details most of us would rather keep private. Like many others, her relationship with her mother was very complicated, and the relationship with her step-father was most unfortunate. Luckily, her father and step-mother seem always to have proved dependable.
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LibraryThing member itbgc
This is such a delightful book! I only have one complaint. I was sad when it ended so soon (with Ms. Andrews' arrival in California with her husband and newborn daughter for the filming of "Mary Poppins"). I hope she will write the rest of the story!!
By the way, I was blessed to hear her speak of
By the way, I was blessed to hear her speak of
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her life at a community event. That night my husband, who was working part time at a hotel, had the privilege of helping Ms. Andrews with a maintenance problem in her room. He was amazed at how kind, courteous, and respectful she was to him. She is such a beautiful lady inside and out! Show Less
LibraryThing member bookswoman
This autobiography goes from earliest days to the invite for her first film (Mary Poppins). Ms. Andrews writes honestly and with a deft touch that makes the stories she tells touching yet unblinking.
Early life wasn't easy for her as a child, parents divorced, step-father who drank heavily and
A child prodigy who was the youngest person ever to perform for the Queen Julie eventually was the sole support of the family, keeping the house from being sold and keeping her siblings together.
Even with this proof that she was pretty good as a singer and performer she suffered from a distinct lack of self worth.
I loved this book and hope that she gets around to publishing more, I would love to hear her adventures in the movies with Disney and the story of her marriage to Blake Edwards.
Early life wasn't easy for her as a child, parents divorced, step-father who drank heavily and
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eventually a mother who did the same. Her father was her touchstone and she talks so lovingly of him that you know it was a mutual love.A child prodigy who was the youngest person ever to perform for the Queen Julie eventually was the sole support of the family, keeping the house from being sold and keeping her siblings together.
Even with this proof that she was pretty good as a singer and performer she suffered from a distinct lack of self worth.
I loved this book and hope that she gets around to publishing more, I would love to hear her adventures in the movies with Disney and the story of her marriage to Blake Edwards.
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LibraryThing member lindap69
A lovely memoir of Julie Andrews early years-the ending makes it rather clear that a continuation will be forthcoming. Her choice to focus on the positive aspects as well as detailing the work that she and others devote to their craft made this a gentle read. Her skills as a writer made it a joy to
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read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Clueless
Charming and riveting read. She had a very rough early life but her phenomenal voice was given the attention it deserved.
I now finally understand 'the Blitz' and 'The Battle of Britain' thanks to her lucid and clear writing about it.
Be aware this is only half a book and ends with her first child.
I now finally understand 'the Blitz' and 'The Battle of Britain' thanks to her lucid and clear writing about it.
Be aware this is only half a book and ends with her first child.
LibraryThing member nancynova
Very good autobiography of Julie's early childhood and young adult years - right up until she is going to play Mary Poppins. An abrupt end & left me wanting to know more about her middle years of her life. What happened with Tony? How did she wind up married to Blake Edwards? etc, etc. I hope
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there's another book published soon! Show Less
LibraryThing member silva_44
I absolutely loved reading this memoir by the beautiful and talented Julie Andrews. Being a singer and having had some experience onstage, I thoroughly enjoyed the portions of the book where she described her vocal and stage training and experiences. She is a woman of great poise, and is a great
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inspiration to those who have come from a difficult background and long for a life of success and contentment. I truly hope that she will write another memoir - I am especially interested in hearing about her experiences surrounding the making of The Sound of Music. Show Less
LibraryThing member AdrienneJS
I really enjoyed this memoir. I listened to it on audio, narrated by Julie Andrews Edwards herself. I was fascinated by some of the details she was able to share, especially about her childhood in England during World War II and the years that followed. I think even if she were not a famous person,
I felt like the book flowed faster in the first half, which was her earlier childhood and teen years, than in the second half, when she talked about her early career. I think it was because I knew nothing about the earlier years, but I already knew some things about her early career and some of the musicals and other productions she was in. But overall I still thought it was a great book, and I am glad I read it.
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I would still find many of the details of her early life to be very interesting, and I think I learned a lot about the importance of recording your personal history, no matter who you are. It was also interesting to learn about the hardships and trials she faced in her family life, and how her career got started. I felt like the book flowed faster in the first half, which was her earlier childhood and teen years, than in the second half, when she talked about her early career. I think it was because I knew nothing about the earlier years, but I already knew some things about her early career and some of the musicals and other productions she was in. But overall I still thought it was a great book, and I am glad I read it.
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LibraryThing member Auj
Love Julie Andrews and with her reading, it sounds like she is telling me her story.
LibraryThing member writerfidora
I really enjoyed this memoir. I listened to it on audio, narrated by Julie Andrews Edwards herself. I was fascinated by some of the details she was able to share, especially about her childhood in England during World War II and the years that followed. I think even if she were not a famous person,
I felt like the book flowed faster in the first half, which was her earlier childhood and teen years, than in the second half, when she talked about her early career. I think it was because I knew nothing about the earlier years, but I already knew some things about her early career and some of the musicals and other productions she was in. But overall I still thought it was a great book, and I am glad I read it.
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I would still find many of the details of her early life to be very interesting, and I think I learned a lot about the importance of recording your personal history, no matter who you are. It was also interesting to learn about the hardships and trials she faced in her family life, and how her career got started. I felt like the book flowed faster in the first half, which was her earlier childhood and teen years, than in the second half, when she talked about her early career. I think it was because I knew nothing about the earlier years, but I already knew some things about her early career and some of the musicals and other productions she was in. But overall I still thought it was a great book, and I am glad I read it.
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LibraryThing member AnaKurland
Loved it! I hope there's a continuation. I got so happy when she said that she used to read Enid Blyton books.
LibraryThing member Gingermama
I highly recommend the audio CD version, as you get to hear it read by the author herself in her beautiful voice. My only complaint about the book is that it ends too soon, as she heads to California to begin filming "Mary Poppins".
LibraryThing member glade1
This was a charming memoir of the early part of Andrew's life. I was surprised and interested to learn of her childhood, which certainly was not perfect, but had lots of interesting twists and turns. I actually found that more interesting than the later, acting related parts. This book only serves
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to solidify my admiration for Ms. Andrews. Show Less
LibraryThing member JenniferRobb
Julie Andrews recounts her childhood, her early days of performing for vaudeville, transitioning to theater stages, marrying Tony Walton, and being asked to play Mary Poppins for Walt Disney (with many successes in between). This is all before her role in The Sound of Music.
Much in her early life
Much in her early life
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was not pretty, nor is some of what she saw backstage. I would definitely wait until late high school at least before saying someone should read this book. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
American Book Fest Best Book Award (Finalist — Autobiography/Memoirs — 2008)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2008
Physical description
320 p.; 5.25 inches
ISBN
0786884754 / 9780786884759