Customer Reviews
Geez, enough already 
2008-08-02
I bought this book as a fan of Ms. Turner's acting. Geez, it seems she is her biggest fan. I can't think of an author I've read that was more self-congratulatory. At the start of the book, it was just odd. By the middle, it was so laughable, I found myself quoting the book to see people's puzzled reactions. By the end, I wanted to just chuck the thing out of the window. Where was the editor on this one? Must have been one star-struck fan.
I give it 2 stars just for the story itself and for her frankness.
Sexy and Classy Lady 
2008-07-27
Like others, I was introduced to Kathleen Turner in the incredibly sexy movie Body Heat. This book fills in her career which, while maybe not at the same level as Body Heat, was quite impressive with many box office hits. After Body Heat her solid career is highlighted again with her collaberation with Mike Douglas/Danny Devito in Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile and later, War of the Roses. Turner gives a full behind the scene look at these films and all her others but does a better job with the overlay of her family history, love life, Broadway career, and struggle with illness late in her career.
I'm quite surprised by the wide diversity of reviews as I found this book so compelling. Kathleen exemplifies intelligence and professionalism and I'm happy she shared it with us.
This Book Isn't Bad.... 
2008-07-09
...it's just written that way. Gag! For one vulgar, obnoxious read this is the book for you! Learn all about Kathleen's beauty, talent, political bent, etc.etc. She says that if she was a woman in Morocco, she'd be an activist. Oh, really? Like to see how that'd work out. And BTW, how come she gets all bent out of shape when Strom Thurmond called her "honey" when she "honeys" and "babies" us all through this book?
Great conversation with Kathleen. 2008-05-09
This book was such an enjoyable read. I felt like I really got to know Kathleen Turner, almost as if she came into my living room for coffee and spilled it all (and I don't mean the coffee!). As a dramatic writer and actress, I really appreciate the insight into her approach to her roles that this book provides and I admire her obvious devotion to her craft. She is truly a great actress who can make the transition from film to stage and back again. I only wish I could have seen her as Marha in Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf. You can be sure that I'll do my best to see her next stage role after reading this book. Thank you, Kathleen.
disappointed 
2008-05-02
I LIKE TURNER AS AN ACTRESS, BUT THOUGHT HER BOOK COULD HAVE BEEN MORE EXCITING - WHEN WRITING A MEMOIR, TELL IT ALL. WAS SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED IN THAT SHE FEELS, TO ME AT LEAST, TO BE EGOTISTICAL.
If you enjoy Kathleen Turner and theater it's a must read. 2008-04-23
From her film debut as the sultry schemer in
Body Heat to her award-winning role as Martha in
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, actress Kathleen Turner's unique blend of beauty, intelligence, and raw sexuality has driven her personal and professional life. Now, in this gutsy memoir, the screen icon tells us of the risks she's taken and the lessons she's learned-sometimes the hard way.
For the first time, Turner shares her childhood challenges-a life lived in countries around the world until her father, a State Department official whom she so admired, died suddenly when she was a teenager. She talks about her twenty year marriage, and why she and her husband recently separated, her close relationship with her daughter, her commitment to service, and how activism in controversial causes has bolstered her beliefs. And Turner reveals the pain and heartbreak of her struggle with rheumatoid arthritis, and how, in spite of it, she made a daring decision: to take a break from the movies and relaunch her stage career.
Along the way, Turner describes what it's like to work with legends like Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas, William Hurt, Steve Martin, Francis Ford Coppola, John Huston, John Waters, Edward Albee...and, with characteristic irreverent humor, shares her behind-the-screen stories of dealing with all types of creative, intimidating, and inspiring characters.
Kathleen Turner has always known that she would play the lead in the story of her life. It's impossible not to take her lessons on living, love, and leading roles to heart. And it won't be long until you'll be sending
yourself roses!
Kathleen must send herself roses because no one else would! 2008-04-15
I have just experienced the most uncomfortable weekend slogging through this tripe of a book. I was quite disappointed because I used to quite admire Kathleen Turner for her ballsy, strong female image. Now, I think she is a self-involved, angry alcoholic with TERRIBLY low self-esteem.
The first irritation was her penchant for calling me, the reader, "honey" or "babe". Ms. Turner, I guarantee you I am NEITHER YOUR HONEY NOR YOUR BABE. Never will be either, thank goodness.
She would speak of herself and her actions as if she was a brand: "I Turnered it." Ugh, I wanted to read about her as a human being, not her as a made up corporation.
On page 91 of my copy: "Michael (Douglas) always says nice things about me...as well he should." Get OVER yourself!
On page 98: Her husband (poor guy stuck it out for 20 years longer than any sane man should have) confronts her on his embarrassment about a movie she is in. Her response: "...but we're going to get this straight right now that you cannot tell me what I can and cannot do in my work." Compromise, working as a team? Compassion and support of your partner's feelings? Nope! Not when you are married to the Turner brand!
Page 118: Nicholas Cage sued her for remarks she wrote on this page and rightfully so. I noticed that she was fond of saying how much she disliked this and that person and Mr. Cage is not the only person she slandered in this book. But I found it deliciously ironic that she writes: 'For years, whenever I saw Nic he would apologize again. I'd say, "Look, I'm way over it. It's okay now." ' Obviously, she is so "over it" that she brings it up in her autobiography and gets sued so now SHE must apologize to HIM in every further printing of this book, and on national TV. Payback!
Being a strong woman is all well and good, but being a compassionate, open hearted, forgiving woman is much better. That is a person I want to read a book about.
Overall, I just felt her tone and approach showed not the strength she wanted to, but the self-centered desperation that she is truly full of.
I simply can't stand this book. But now, I TRULY UTTERLY despise Ms. Kathleen Turner.
Turnerize that.
I loved this book 2008-04-14
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how honest Kathleen Turner is about her life. I thought of it as an honor to read anything about Kathleen Turners life. I think alot of people forget that she is just human like the rest of us and she makes mistakes too.
What will happen to her ego now? 2008-04-10
that she has to read all these honest and scathing reviews? Who or what will she blame her inappropriate behaviors on? What a dissapointing read and personality. I am going to burn my copy so no one else I know has to go through this.
Repetitious, bounces around, sometimes frank, mostly rambling 2008-04-08
Be forewarned, the book's subtitle is "Thoughts on My Life, Love, and Leading Roles," so it isn't really an autobiography. It's more like a course in acting because she goes on at great length about the actor's life, approaching roles, living parts, stagecraft. You'll find some of that interesting if you are also an actor.
Even though Turner had a co-writer, the book desperately needed an editor. She repeats herself a lot, like a pitcher winding up a pitch and not quite letting it go. It's very conversational in that sense, but most conversation -- when you see it in written form -- seems inane.
Most people have boring childhoods and you rush through that part, but Turner's childhood is almost more fascinating than her adulthood because her father was in the diplomatic service and they traveled and lived all over the world.
She makes quick work of discussing her films except for "Body Heat" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf." She discusses those two too long and keeps revisiting them out of context. You quickly can tell the co-stars she hated. (And I agree with her tastes. I hated them in the films, too.) It's amazing to think that she had very little experience when she was hired to do "Body Heat," her first film, and it became her signature role. Things happen fast for some people, and because of her decision to live in New York, continue stagework, and be very selective about her films, she has a fairly unHollywood like existence with just one husband.
Still, I can't really recommend this book to anyone but acting students because too many pages are devoted to her philosophy of life and the art of acting, and it bogs down for long stretches. And yet at the same time she hasn't left out much if anything. It's all there. So the only thing you can conclude is that her life is almost too ordinary to make a whole book without a lot of philosophical padding.
