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Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn

donald spoto

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Her name is synonymous with elegance, style and grace. Over the course of her extraordinary life and career, Audrey Hepburn captured hearts around the world and created a public image that stands as one of the most recognizable and beloved in recent memory. But despite her international fame and her tireless efforts on behalf of UNICEF, Audrey was also known for her intense privacy. With unprecedented access to studio archives, friends and colleagues who knew and loved Audrey, bestselling author Donald Spoto provides an intimate and moving account of this beautiful, elusive and talented woman.

Tracing her astonishing rise to stardom, from her harrowing childhood in Nazi-controlled Holland during World War II to her years as a struggling ballet dancer in London and her Tony Award–winning Broadway debut in Gigi , Spoto illuminates the origins of Audrey’s tenacious spirit and fiercely passionate nature.

She would go on to star in some of the most popular movies of the twentieth century, including Roman Holiday , Sabrina , Funny Face , The Nun’s Story , Breakfast at Tiffany’s and My Fair Lady . A friend and inspiration to renowned designer Hubert de Givenchy, Audrey emerged as a fashion icon as well as a film legend, her influence on women’s fashion virtually unparalleled to this day.

But behind the glamorous public persona, Audrey Hepburn was both a different and a deeper person and a woman who craved love and affection. Donald Spoto offers remarkable insights into her professional and personal relationships with her two husbands, and with celebrities such as Gregory Peck, William Holden, Fred Astaire, Gary Cooper, Robert Anderson, Cary Grant, Peter O’Toole, Albert Finney and Ben Gazzara. The turbulent romances of her youth, her profound sympathy for the plight of hungry children, and the thrills and terrors of motherhood prepared Audrey for the final chapter in her life, as she devoted herself entirely to the charity efforts of an organization that had once come to her rescue at the end of the war: UNICEF.

Donald Spoto has written a poignant, funny and deeply moving biography of an unforgettable woman. At last, Enchantment reveals the private Audrey Hepburn—and invites readers to fall in love with her all over again.

“She was as funny as she was beautiful. She was a magical combination of high chic and high spirits.” —Gregory Peck

“In spite of her fragile appearance, she’s like steel.” —Cary Grant

“Audrey was known for something which has disappeared, and that is elegance, grace and manners . . . God kissed her on the cheek, and there she was.” —Billy Wilder

“There is not a woman alive who does not dream of looking like Audrey Hepburn.” —Hubert de Givenchy

“Her magnetism was so extraordinary that everyone wanted to be close to her. It was as if she placed a glass barrier between herself and the world. You couldn’t get behind it easily. It made her remarkably attractive.” —Stanley Donen

“She has authentic charm. Most people simply have nice manners.” —Alfred Lunt

368 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1,2006

This edition

Format
368 pages, Hardcover
Published
September 19, 2006 by Harmony
ISBN
9780307237583
ASIN
0307237583
Language
English
Characters More characters
  • Audrey Hepburn

    Audrey Hepburn

    Audrey Hepburn (4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend in Golden Age Hollywood, and was inducted...

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About the author

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donald spoto

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A prolific and respected biographer and theologian, Donald Spoto is the author of twenty published books, among them bestselling biographies of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, and Ingrid Bergman. His books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Donald Spoto earned his Ph.D. in theology at Fordham University. After years as a theology professor, he turned to fulltime writing. The Hidden Jesus: A New Life, published in 1999, was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "offering a mature faith fit for the new millennium." His successful biography of Saint Francis was published in 2002.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
MattoTheFatto
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I've always heard about how truly amazing Audrey Hepburn was, and I was eager to understand what all the fuss and hype was really about. So, I watched some of the films for which she was so well-known, such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, and I really, really enjoyed them! But I wanted to delve even deeper into her life and story. That's when I decided to start with this biography. This book truly brought to light the hidden aspects and the real person behind the glamorous Audrey that we saw on the screen. I especially relished reading about her life before she embarked on her acting career. What I really liked was that Donald Spoto didn't just focus on Audrey herself, but also wrote about the people and things that surrounded her. It gave a more complete and vivid picture. My favourite quotes from this book are as follows:


Audrey recalling something Cary Grant said to her - "And he laid his hands on my two hands and said, 'You've got to learn to like yourself a little more.' I've often thought about that."


Something Audrey did/said - "she sat and inhaled the winter air, raising her head toward the sunlight and whispering, 'Mmmm, delicious.'" These quotes really capture the essence and charm of Audrey Hepburn.

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Sorasan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Breakfast At Tiffany's is one of my all-time favorite films. In fact, I have a great fondness for most of the movies in which Audrey Hepburn starred.

I was completely smitten with her when she served as the representative for UNICEF. Watching her stroll through rose gardens was a sight to behold. She was truly a heroine, a paragon of ladylike grace. Her speech was eloquent, and her face seemed to radiate a special kind of light whenever she smiled. She had a gamine charm yet was also a model of style and elegance.

However, after delving into this exquisitely written book, I came to realize that I knew very little about her in reality. I was astounded by her childhood background and her experiences in Holland during the tumultuous years of World War II. Reading this book evoked a range of emotions within me - it broke my heart at times, made me smile at others, and left me in a state of wonder. Truly, the world was her oyster, although there were undoubtedly some challenges and monsters that she had to face along the way.

I possess approximately a dozen DVDs of her films, and I have just placed an order for a couple more that I don't already own. One of these weekends, I am looking forward to indulging in an Audrey Hepburn film festival. I am deeply grateful that we were both on this planet at the same time, even if only for a short while.

(An added note: I had just made a donation to UNICEF on the very day that this book about her arrived in the mail. It was quite an astonishing coincidence! And when I reached the part of the book that detailed her time with that organization, I was overjoyed that I had made that contribution.)
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teajunkie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Paneksin tegelikult hindeks 3,5.

It's a nice book, but there was something missing. The storytelling and description of the films were somehow dry. It didn't add much value. I would have liked to know more about him as a person, rather than just how and with whom he acted.

Maybe the author could have included more personal anecdotes or insights into Paneksin's life and career. This would have made the book more engaging and interesting.

Overall, it's a decent read, but it could have been better with a bit more depth and personal touch.
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Thepriceyoupay
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I obtained from this biography precisely what I desired: the account of Audrey Hepburn's life (presumably as comprehensive as what is publicly known at present) and several fascinating details regarding life during the era and in the locations where she resided, particularly with regard to the theatre (plays) and movies of that time. This is precisely what I have always anticipated from such books.

It was evident to me that Donald Spoto was not as objective (neutral) as he might have been. I had the impression that he was attempting to deify her. Fortunately, (at least I hope so) he did not conceal any facts, enabling me to form my own perception of her. She was not a saint, but rather a good person, yearning for love and acceptance, with her own neuroses, making both good and bad decisions, and so on. Personally, I do not believe she was a great actress (as she herself had stated), although she was not a bad one either. Undoubtedly, she was and remains a cultural icon.

I would like to know and understand her better, yet I am unsure if it is feasible at this point. Her biography could perhaps have been written in a somewhat different manner, but nevertheless, Spoto's version was sufficiently satisfying for me.

[3.5 stars]
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733
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have always held a deep admiration for Audrey Hepburn. Sadly, apart from her filmography, I knew very little about her.

This biography is truly well-written. It doesn't come across as a dull textbook; instead, it feels almost like I'm reading a fictional story. Her life was far more than that of just an actress, and this book provides extensive details to showcase that.

Even if you initially don't think you have an interest in her life, you might be surprised by how engaged you become while reading this. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the many aspects of Audrey Hepburn's remarkable journey, from her early years to her rise to stardom and the various experiences that shaped her.

The author has done an excellent job of bringing her to life on the pages, making it a captivating read for both fans and those who are new to her story.
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pepegacredit
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I had no prior knowledge about Audrey Hepburn before delving into this biography. However, after listening to it, I am truly excited to have discovered more about this extraordinary woman.

She was a child survivor of Nazi-occupied Holland, yet she exuded such grace and charm. The beginning of the biography was captivating, but as it progressed, the author delved into an excessive amount of detail regarding each of Hepburn's films.

At times, the descriptions became repetitive, and the author often went off on tangents about Hepburn's contemporaries, which left me somewhat confused. If I hadn't been on a long car journey with nothing else to occupy my time, I might have given up on the book.

Nevertheless, I'm glad I persevered and completed it. Even if for no other reason than the sense of accomplishment, I now look forward to watching some of her more renowned films and further immersing myself in her remarkable career.
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Mako
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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When I was sixteen years old and just beginning to develop an interest in classic film, my aunt thrust this book upon me.

My preferences leaned more towards Universal horror, German expressionism, and silent slapstick comedies rather than movies like BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S or FUNNY FACE. However, out of politeness, I accepted the copy.

I was unfamiliar with almost all of the movies that were extensively referenced, and it would be many years before I became a fan of Audrey Hepburn. Nevertheless, I can still remember the impressions this book left on me.

After reading it, I came away with the feeling that Hepburn's existence was miserable 95% of the time and that GREEN MANSIONS was apparently the worst movie ever.

But having read more about Hepburn in the years since, I realize that this is a limited perspective on her life, which had both joys and sorrows.

Also, GREEN MANSIONS is hardly the worst movie ever. It may be cheesy and silly, but Anthony Perkins sings in it, so it has an advantage over PLAN 9 at least.

(If you really want to see Hepburn's worst film, try sitting through the sleazy and sloppy BLOODLINE from 1979.)

Honestly, Hepburn's adolescence during World War II is the most interesting part of her life. And if you're eager to read about that, then just pick up DUTCH GIRL, a much better book.
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Limpix
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have an intense love for learning about this truly amazing woman. I have always had a great passion for hearing those little stories that pop up here and there about Audrey Hepburn. However, having an entire book dedicated solely to her life and the lives of her family was an incredibly interesting experience. She was truly remarkable in every sense of the word. The book was so easy to read and enjoy, which made the process of delving into her world a pleasure. It only took me this long to finish it because I was using it as a reference to write an essay. But, unfortunately, my school is currently on strike. So, I decided to bite the bullet and finish the book anyways. It was well worth it, and I now have a much deeper understanding and appreciation for Audrey Hepburn and her extraordinary life.

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