This work presents the Billie Holiday story - her rise to the top from the slums and the streets, to the eventual slide down.
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*Pure pleasure from beginning to end' The Times
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Format:Paperback
Other reviewers have made the case that this autobiography is less than accurate. That may be true however I believe the book captures the spirit of Billie Holiday as well as the tenor of the times in which she lived and consequently it is an important and very interesting book.
The tragedy surrounding Holiday's life and struggle with addiction is well known and yet here it is dealt with in such a gripping and personal way that the story is moving and emotionally wrenching. Billie Holiday emerges from this book as a warm living human being with a remarkable amount of wisdom regarding her own struggles and failings. One would expect an autobiography to seek to afix blame elsewhere or excuse shortcomings. None of that is found here. This was an inteligent, wise and obviously talented though flawed woman whose story deserves to be told.
Reading this has rekindled my interest in her music and that alone was a great benefit I received from this book.
By ghost
Format:Paperback
Billie Holliday lived a sad and tortured life. She was always a victim. A victim of the racist times, the men, the music and everyone else who took advantage of her. Through it all she managed to sing and produce music that made so many people happy.
The book is easy to read, but choppy at times. If you are looking for historical accuracy, look elsewhere. The "fictionalized" parts off her life do not detract from the story. She or William Dufty may have taken some liberties, but they are used to make a point. I strongly recommend this book to any Billie Holliday fan.
The book is easy to read, but choppy at times. If you are looking for historical accuracy, look elsewhere. The "fictionalized" parts off her life do not detract from the story. She or William Dufty may have taken some liberties, but they are used to make a point. I strongly recommend this book to any Billie Holliday fan.
By Robin Ford
Format:Paperback
I felt compelled to write this review because I thought it was important to respond to so many of the comments that criticize this book for its fictionality. While it is certainly true that this book is far from "historically accurate," whatever that may mean, that in no way diminishes this book either as an important work or as a testimonial of Billie Holiday's life. The artistic liberties that William Dufty takes help to place this work within a longer tradition of African American women's writing that stems in large part from nineteenth century slave narratives, and, as a result, this book is fascinating in its awareness of and interactions with these traditions. It also remains devoted to a portraytal of Miss Holiday that exchanges accuracy for the sake not just of readability and commercial viability, but also for the sake of placing her story into and in opposition to a racist, sexist climate that ultimately destroyed one of the most important artists in American history. A factual, chronological account of Miss Holiday's life would have crushed the importance of her story in ways that Dufty attempts to resist (with varying success) throughout this vitally important work of writing.
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4.4 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Harrowing
Billie Holliday is probably the most gifted and tragic heroine of her time. She overcame poverty racism and endless failed relationships to become one of the greatest jazz singers... Read more
Published on Mar 24 2002 by Michele
3.0 out of 5 stars
a good read, but *not true*!
"Mom and Pop were just a couple of kids when they got married. He was eighteen, she was sixteen, and I was three."
These are the first lines on the first page. Read more
These are the first lines on the first page. Read more
Published on Nov 30 2001 by "capstrmbn"
5.0 out of 5 stars
A heartbreaking memoir
From the most important singer of last century comes this evocative, heart rendering and realistic book by the Lady herself. Read more
Published on Jun 20 2001 by E. Vives Cadevall
3.0 out of 5 stars
AUTObiography?
This book has had some exellent reviews, and after reading it I was not disapointed. I totaly agreed with what many people said about the book: It is one of the most honest... Read more
Published on Jan 31 2001 by Joel
5.0 out of 5 stars
the good, the bad & the ugly...beautifully recounted
I picked this book up because the woman's voice moves me. I wanted to learn more about her; wanted to know where all of the pain and dignity came from. Read more
Published on Mar 13 2000 by Johnny Roulette
5.0 out of 5 stars
MOST HONEST AUTOBIOGRAPHY EVER WRITTEN
I came across this book at a local library. Never has a more honest reflection of oneself been written. Her words are so vivid on the struggles she has lived through. Read more
Published on Nov 24 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
a stark self-portrait by an incredible woman
I picked this book up because I love the woman's voice. I wanted to know more about her; wanted to know where all the pain and dignity came from. Read more
Published on Nov 9 1999 by Johnny Roulette (bconner1@mindspring.com)
5.0 out of 5 stars
A FASCINATING MUST READ
this is the real billie holiday talking...she had a ghost writer...william dufty...but these are billie's thoughts and words. she comes out to be a real human... Read more
Published on May 14 1998 by dejakhalil@aol.com
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