Helpful Score: 2
I listened to Ellen's narration of the abridged version. She overcame a tough childhood, and messed-up marriage, to become the celebrity she is today. Some might be turned off by the new-age aspect of her approach to life, but I found that the best part.
One of the best auto biographies I've read in a long time. Wonderfully written and a great testimony to a woman's search for meaning.
Better than average memoir, tracing not only Burstyn's acting career, but also her journey toward accepting her own spirituality. Verges a bit on the California-Woo-Woo side at times, but is often thoughtful and insightful.
Excellent.
I almost wish I hadn't listened to this audio book. Ellen Burstyn has been one of my favorite actresses for years; I loved her in "The Last Picture Show", "The Exorcist", "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore", and "Same Time Next Year".
After enduring 8 cd's of her talking about her feelings, her fears, her run-away emotions, her unhappy childhood, her victimhood, her abortion, her numerous love affairs, her conversion to the Sufi religion and her dabbling in other new world religions, her airy fairy flower child opinions about so many things - I'd be happier if I knew less about her and could just enjoy her acting abilities. She almost makes Shirley McLaine seem rational and well-grounded.
Maybe someday I'll learn. I had the same feelings after listening to an Angelina Jolie biography, and was so repelled by John Malkovich's autobiography I couldn't even finish it after he bragged about using his acting abilities to evade the draft - wrong thing to say to someone who spent over 21 years in the military...
After enduring 8 cd's of her talking about her feelings, her fears, her run-away emotions, her unhappy childhood, her victimhood, her abortion, her numerous love affairs, her conversion to the Sufi religion and her dabbling in other new world religions, her airy fairy flower child opinions about so many things - I'd be happier if I knew less about her and could just enjoy her acting abilities. She almost makes Shirley McLaine seem rational and well-grounded.
Maybe someday I'll learn. I had the same feelings after listening to an Angelina Jolie biography, and was so repelled by John Malkovich's autobiography I couldn't even finish it after he bragged about using his acting abilities to evade the draft - wrong thing to say to someone who spent over 21 years in the military...
An extremely moving story of a fully lived life.
