Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life

by Sophia Loren

Hardcover, 2014

Status

Available

Publication

Atria Books (2014), Edition: 1st.., 352 pages

Description

"Film legend Sophia Loren shares vivid memories of work, love, and family"-- "In her first memoir, the Academy Award-winning actress Sophia Loren tells her incredible life story from the struggles of her childhood in war-torn Naples to her life as a screen legend, icon of elegance, and devoted mother. In her acting career spanning more than six decades, Sophia Loren became known for her striking beauty and dramatic roles with famed costars Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, Jack Lemmon, and Paul Newman. The luminous Italian movie star was the first artist to win an Oscar for a foreign language performance, after which she continued a vibrant and varied career that took her from Hollywood to Paris to Italy--and back to Hollywood. In Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, Loren shares vivid memories of work, love, and family with winning candor. Born in 1934 and growing up in World War II Italy, Loren's life of glamour and success was preceded by years of poverty and hardship, when she lived in her grandparents' house with her single mother and sister, and endured near starvation. She shares how she blossomed from a toothpick-thin girl into a beautiful woman seemingly overnight, getting her start by winning a beauty pageant; and how her first Hollywood film, The Pride and the Passion, ignited a high-profile romance with Cary Grant, who would vie with her mentor, friend, frequent producer, and lover Carlo Ponti to become her husband. Loren also reveals her long-held desire to become a mother, the disappointments she suffered, the ultimate joy of having two sons, and her happiness as a mother and grandmother. From trying times to triumphant ones, this scintillating autobiography paints a multi-dimensional portrait of the woman behind the celebrity, beginning each chapter with a letter, photograph, or object that prompts her memories. In Loren's own words, this is a collection of 'unpublished memories, curious anecdotes, tiny secrets told, all of which spring from a box found by chance, a precious treasure trove filled with emotions, experiences, adventures.' Her wise and candid voice speaks from the pages with riveting detail and sharp humor. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is as elegant, entrancing, and memorable as Sophia Loren herself"--… (more)

Rating

½ (15 ratings; 3.6)

User reviews

LibraryThing member NellieMc
Fairly light reading by one of the iconic actresses of the 20th century. This book has a definite voice—one that seems proud and happy of a life well-lived. Particularly poignant when discussing her early life as a child in wartime Italy, essentially starving and often almost homeless. It's
Show More
obvious that a number of people befriended the young Sophia and gave her her chances—she is grateful to all of them and gives them kudos and assures us that their kindness was due to their generous spirits. Those of us who are cynical may wonder quite what was extended in return, but she seems to be such a good-natured and genuinely kind person, that is doesn't really matter. Not a book for those looking for either indepth analysis or gossip - just a nice middle-of-the-road autobiography.
Show Less
LibraryThing member gaillamontagne
An incredible story of rags to riches. She was a child in Italy during WWII and remembers the horrors, starvation and devastation of war. She describes herself as shy and knew she was unusual looking at a young age. Raised by an independent single mother and her grandmother, Sophia learned from her
Show More
mother to not give up and use her beauty to her advantage and still keep her Catholic morals. Her career began at 15 in beauty pageants which earned money for her starving family and filled the dreams of her beautiful mother who was not allowed to be a pageant contestant in her earlier years. Very interesting childhood life in Italy and her rise to stardom. Her experiences with jewel robberies, miscarriages and her personal relationships with Hollywood actors, Brando, Newman, Charlie Chaplin, Burton, Cary Grant, Jane Mansfield etc. was very interesting but there was far too much detail about her Italian scripts which I have no interest in. Although, it was interesting learning about her most famous Italian films such as Two Women and how she got the part. Her fans in Europe may be more interested in her earlier carrier. I skipped several chapters because of the focus on Italian films which were hard for an American who doesn't know anything about it to follow. I think the book could have used a lot more editing , just not exactly what I was looking for.
Show Less
LibraryThing member untitled841
A glimps into Sophia's life. I knew very little about Sophia, her movies and her life so this was an enlightening read.
LibraryThing member LauGal
I am a huge fan of Sophia Loren,have been since I was a child.In our Sicilian household she reigned supreme. I've read other books abt her. For me she is the epitome of female. She had had it all,and lost it all,been put down and never gave up,always persevered,yet she is the same humble person.
Show More
She has lived her life her way and by her choices.We all should be able to do that! She once said "everything in her life came late.For me that has always been a reminder to be patient. I liked this book a lot.Yes it was dry in spots but most biographies and autobiographies are.The photos are beautiful. Liked it a lot. had the library copy now buying my own copy. I loved reading her life story form her!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Zcorbain
Quite an enjoyable look into Sophia Loren's life, not just her triumphs, but her struggles and strange controversies.

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

352 p.; 6 inches

ISBN

1476797420 / 9781476797427
Page: 0.1414 seconds