It's Always Something: Amazon.ca: Gilda Radner: Books

Product Description

From Library Journal

Completed before Radner's death last month, this is her personal account of her struggle with ovarian cancer and her inspiring attempt to keep an upbeat attitude during her illnes. Her discussion of a Santa Monica patient support group called the Wellness Community is the best part of the book and may be of interest to cancer patients and their families. However, readers expecting the show business history that the promotional material to this book promises will be disappointed; Radner's work with Saturday Night Live, her creation of such memorable characters like Emily Litella and Roseanne Roseannadanna, and her film work with husband Gene Wilder get scant attention here. Radner certainly deserves a biography that would record those achievements. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club alternates.
- Judy Quinn, "Library Journal"
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Death Be Not Proud: The Book Remains A Victorious Volume." -- --Detroit Free Press

"Extraordinarily Candid...A Testament To Her Courage And Comedic Spirit." -- --Chicago Tribune

"Touching and Witty." -- --USA Today --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.

First Sentence
LIKE IN THE ROMANTIC fairy tales I always loved, Gene Wilder and I were married by the mayor of a small village in the south of France, September 18, 1984. Read the first page

Explore More
Concordance

Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.8 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Always Something........Something Wonderful, May 3 2004

By

Mona Lisa Smile (St. Louis) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Always Something (Paperback)

On Sunday, May 21, 1989, I was dining at a favorite restaurant, poring over the front page of "The Kansas City Star." When I saw the cruel headline ("Gilda Radner Dies at 42"), my appetite vanished - and I felt as if I had lost a very close friend. Two months later, battling my own chronic illness, I was given a copy of "It's Always Something" while hospitalized with major depression. I had always loved Gilda from "SNL", but now I loved her even more.

The gifted comedienne's gripping, poignant, wrenching (and, yes, at times humorous) account of her fight with Ovarian cancer touched my heart, and I mourned her death even more fully. Ovarian cancer ended Gilda's life, but Radner's tragedy didn't begin and end there. The medical community failed Gilda. Her maligancy was not diagnosed until TEN MONTHS - that's right - nearly a near - after her symptoms began. By the time she underwent surgery in October 1986, she was at Stage IV in the illness - a time in which survival rates are distressingly low.

I'm angry. I was angry in July 1989 - and I'm still angry nearly 15 years later.

But the sorrow and regret do not mitigate the joys and beauty of Gilda's wonderful book. Her vulnerability, endearing childlike innocence, her abundant wit, her lovable nature, and her enduring kindness pervade "It's Always Something." And that's probably why I loved this book, even at the lowest point in my own life, when I was facing potential long-term hospitalization.

Luckily, I didn't have cancer, but I still relate - in spades - to Gilda's frustration with the medical establishment. I'm still fighting the condition diagnosed 15 years ago, and I still love and revere the beloved comedienne who inspired such loyalty from so many.

I adore Gilda Radner, and "It's Always Something" I'll carry in my heart.....forever.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Inspiring, Dec 19 2003

By

Emily (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Always Something (Paperback)

I have always loved Gilda Radner's sense of humor, but this book showed me there is much more to her than just her ability to make people laugh. This book was written by Gilda herself and chronicles her battle with ovarian cancer. She goes into detail about certain procedures she had done, about how she reacted when she lost her hair from chemo and about how the Wellness Community helped to keep her sane when she could no longer cope with having cancer. I had tears in my eyes thoughout the book, but I was able to smile and rejoice along with Gilda when she managed to put a positive spin on a bad situation. It doesn't matter if the reader can relate to her experiences or not. This book will touch your heart either way.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

5.0 out of 5 stars A brave woman..., Sep 9 2003

By

meiringen "meiringen" (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Always Something (Paperback)

I read this book during the big blackout (using my trusty booklight), and it really affected me. Such a vital, funny, and brilliant young woman who was lost to ovarian cancer much too soon. It made me laugh, cry, and all the emotions in-between. A must-read book!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Report abuse

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Want to see more reviews on this item?

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 37 reviews 4.7 out of 5 stars

Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful and sad
I could not help feeling a sense of sadness hovering over me while reading this book. After all, I knew the end already. Read more

Published on July 24 2003 by Manola Sommerfeld

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll never forget it
I read this book for the first time about 10 years ago. It touched my heart, made me laugh and made me cry. Read more

Published on July 11 2003 by Tracy