- Mass Market Paperback: 370 pages
- Publisher: Bantam; New edition edition (Feb 1 1992)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0553293060
- ISBN-13: 978-0553293067
- Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.4 x 3.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 249 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
In this chatty autobiography, Gardner, who died last January at age 67, tells of her upbringing in a poor but proud Southern family, her sudden success in early-'40s Hollywood--mainly because of her beauty--and rails against MGM, which played up her cheesecake potential. She neatly sums up the problems in each of her three short marriages: Mickey Rooney was a blatant womanizer; Artie Shaw was cool and overbearing; Frank Sinatra (the two were the loves of each other's lives) was as jealous as she, leading to drunken marathon fights. Gardner also sketches a creepy portrait of Howard Hughes, who for years stopped at no machination in an unsuccessful attempt to bed and marry her. A shy woman who used drink to feel comfortable socially, Gardner seems very likable, down-home, spontaneous and sadly derogatory toward her intelligence, acting abilities--and even her beauty. Of the seven included "eulogies" from friends and colleagues, Stephen Birmingham's best captures the joy and tragedy of Gardner's life. Photos not seen by PW .
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Book Description
The late actress and sex symbol discusses her early days in Hollywood; her marriages to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra; her memorable roles; her friendships and affairs; and more Reprint. NYT.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok,
By A Customer
A breezy book, with comments/chapters by her friends, so it's not all in Ava's words. And, as happens, I've read others' perspectives of stuff mentioned in here, and Ava wasn't as selfless and vain-free as this book suggests. But she seemed warm, and insecure (I once saw Roddy McDowell speak. He said, "Ava had no self confidence at all."). She seemed generous. She was beautiful, and I would have loved to have been one of those matadors she had an affair with! A good, undemanding Hollywood book to read.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ava: My Story,
By A Customer
Worth reading for her version of a life full of events that many others have previously chronicled. Written it seems to set the record straight, one is still left wondering when comparing her version to others whether she remembers it a little differently from the way it happened. One notable variation lies in the Howard Hughes connection. She stedfastly refuses to admit that there was any sexual relationship at all where her biographers previously have assumed that there was. In putting together other impressions about Mr. Hughes and in evaluationg her book, I would personally believe her. I believe that she finished all she had planned to say before she died, but I'm not sure of that, if seems that she never saw the final printing of the book. I would also wonder if the book was almost completely composed by others instead of her having any direct role in it because, at times it seems that there is too much of an effort made by the narrative to "sound like she would sound" but, of course, she gave it her complete blessing and it belongs to her estate, so I am not sure that it makes a material difference, but one would hope that the book is her own words as captured on tape. Especially if you like old Hollywood an or if you are curious about what the wealth and fame syndrome seems to entail and or if you just are fascinated by her entire generation a la Tom Brokaw, you'll find it quite worthwhile.
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Great Story from and Interesting Woman,
This was a wonderful book, which kept me engrossed until I finished it in 2 days. Ava tells a wonderful entertaining version of her life, warts and all. Afterwards, I rented as many movies as I could in which she starred. The book was well written, and the story of her life and loves interesting.If you enjoy biographies, this is definately one to select.
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