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.

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.)

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.

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

Again, if I could give half stars, this one would be a 3 1/2.

This is the story of Audrey Hepburn's life. It is extremely well written, thoroughly researched, and beautifully presented.

I have always been captivated by Audrey, and this book did not let me down.

I especially found the first part of her life fascinating. She and her family were embroiled in the consequences of Hitler's invasion and occupation of Europe.

After nearly perishing from starvation and having their family fortune pilfered by the Nazis, she went on to lead an almost fairytale existence.

She frequently stated that her life was a complete astonishment to her.

I was not disappointed to discover that Audrey was just as kind, considerate, and unpretentious as I had always envisioned her to be.

Although her life was not devoid of great tragedy and hardship, she remained level-headed and grateful for all that she was able to experience.

Overall, this book provides a wonderful insight into the life of a remarkable woman.

Audrey Hepburn was truly one of a kind.

When was the last instance that we knew of a star of such great significance aiding a friend in business and even dismissing his/her manager for attempting to profit from that help? Although I was cognizant of her work with UNICEF, I had no idea of the profoundness of her dedication. The journey to Sudan was arduous enough just to read about. I simply cannot fathom going there as she did.

World War II's deep wounds were carefully concealed from the public eye. For the majority of the war, she and her family lived in daily fear for their lives and ultimately came close to death due to starvation. Just 8 years later, Audrey was at the zenith of the glitz and glamour of a film career, having won an Oscar. The impacts of the war, the hardships of living with a reserved aristocratic mother, and the rigid roles for women in the 1950s are alluded to but not fully explored. The insecurities these engendered are evident in her marriages, and the empathy is manifested in her extraordinary work for UNICEF.

This book chronicles her life, yet it does not delve into her inner self or the era. Fortunately, she is not a star in this day and age. Today's even more invasive paparazzi culture and career journalists might have destroyed her for us and for herself. Spoto does a wonderful and respectful job of presenting her life story.

I've always had a deep admiration for Audrey Hepburn. In fact, it seems that most girls have a somewhat strange obsession with her at some stage of their lives. Reading about her life was truly fascinating. It's not easy to assess someone's character from a third-party perspective, but from what I've learned, she was an extremely remarkable individual.

The idea of being famous and still remaining a good person intrigues me. And it appears that Audrey Hepburn did everything in her power to stay true to herself. She had a rather difficult life, and the most captivating part of the book was the section that included quotes and memories of her experiences during World War II and how she coped with the German occupation in Holland.

It was a great book. I was so inspired that I even wrote an incredibly long blog post about it. Through this book, I gained a deeper understanding of Audrey Hepburn and was able to appreciate her even more. Her story serves as an inspiration to us all, showing that it is possible to maintain one's integrity and kindness in the face of fame and adversity.

This biography stands out from others about Hepburn as it is not overly flattering.

It endeavors to distinguish the Audrey Myth from the Audrey Reality. However, it has its drawbacks. There are insufficient photos, and although the book delves into details regarding her costumes, photographers, and photo shoots, one wishes to see the corresponding images but is only presented with 4 pages of small black and white prints.

I found it interesting to learn about a more "realistic" Audrey. She was far from being an angelic and perfect being. Her life was filled with fortunate coincidences that contributed to making her "The Audrey Hepburn." Nevertheless, the difficult relationships she had with those around her seemed to keep happiness at bay for a significant portion of her life. The author was able to uncover numerous quotes from actors who worked with her, depicting her as a rather sad individual.

A great deal is written about the movies themselves, the people who collaborated with her, and her work for UNICEF. This provides a comprehensive look at different aspects of her life and career.

Overall, while the biography has its limitations, it offers a unique perspective on Audrey Hepburn that is worth exploring.