It was no Breakfast at Tiffany's.

However, I truly loved the way she managed to create her own unique style.

In a world where many strive to conform to established norms and trends, she stood out by forging her own path.

Her style was a reflection of her individuality, a blend of different elements that came together to form something entirely new and captivating.

Whether it was in the way she dressed, the way she decorated her living space, or the way she expressed herself in her daily life, she always had a distinct flair that set her apart.

I found myself constantly inspired by her ability to be true to herself and to create a style that was all her own.

It made me realize that we don't have to follow the crowd to be fashionable or interesting.

Sometimes, the most beautiful and memorable styles are the ones that are born out of our own creativity and self-expression.

I'm not overly intrigued by the lives of those who are renowned for acting and singing. However, I picked up this particular book on a whim because I was aware that A. Hepburn had endured World War II. Additionally, I don't peruse a great deal of biographies, so I'm uncertain if this was penned in the typical style of a biography. But to me, it seemed extremely fanatical. The author rambled on and on about how astonishing she was, while anything negative about her was minimized. (I'm not sure if there was actually a great deal that was negative about her, but surely there must have been something she did that irked someone.) Overall, she came across as a very likable individual, and her life was fascinating, especially considering her persistent insecurity despite all that she had achieved and represented. The movie reviews also seemed out of place in the biography. But perhaps biographies of actors commonly include such reviews? All in all, it was an enjoyable read, but extremely one-sided.

3.75 It has pleasantly surprised me.

Although there are times when other movies or other people are talked about, it takes me out of the life of this actress.

We idealize this type of actresses and don't realize that they are flesh and blood and that they suffer and endure like the common mortals.

It makes me think about how we often put celebrities on a pedestal and forget that they have their own real lives and struggles.

We should respect and understand them as individuals, not just as the characters they play on screen.

This realization has made me look at this actress in a new light and has deepened my appreciation for her work and her as a person.

I hope that more people can see beyond the glamour and recognize the real people behind the stars.

This biography places a significant emphasis on Hepburn's life within the movies, as well as her fascinating childhood and early adulthood prior to her foray into the film industry.

However, it dedicates very little time to her private life subsequent to her major movie successes, specifically her life as a mother.

There is indeed a section dedicated to her charity work, yet it seems rather incomplete when compared to the more detailed entertainment sections.

I also noticed certain stories that seemed to be in conflict, which detracted from the evident research that went into the book.

The author utilized sources such as her son, but the inclusion of details regarding her numerous affairs gives the impression that this is more of a tabloid than a comprehensive and respectful biography.

As a result, she no longer appears to be the angelic figure that I initially thought she was.

Overall, while the biography does provide some interesting insights into Hepburn's life and career, it also has its flaws and不足之处.

I listened to this as an audio book.

I truly adored reading about Audrey. In fact, I was so moved that I had to hold back tears at the end when she passed away.

For the most part, she was a tortured soul, yet she was always kind to everyone and didn't behave like a "spoiled movie star." Her own parents weren't very pleasant, and when a person isn't shown love from their own parents, it leaves a lasting mark.

I'm giving this four stars because I did learn a great deal about Audrey, but I didn't care for the writing style. It really frustrated me the way the author would tell the plot of all her movies and then have these never-ending dialogues directly from the scripts. If you're an Audrey fan, you already know the movies, and if you haven't seen them, the author spoiled the whole plot. It was annoying either way.

The narrator wasn't my favorite either. The book emphasized that NO ONE had a voice like Audrey, yet she tried to imitate Audrey's voice every time she quoted her. It just got on my nerves.

I'm really glad I was able to learn more about the precious Audrey Hepburn, but the author could have done a much better job by using a more engaging writing style.

A precious book, narrated as if it were a novel. From almost the beginning, you forget that you are reading a biography, the story of a real person. An actress as iconic as her life was, full of lights and shadows. A fascinating character who is part of the history of cinema and of those who love it.

Whether you like Audrey, if you have enjoyed her movies dozens of times, if you love cinema, or if not, it is a book that I recommend. You will not regret getting to know a little better the great lady of cinema.

This book offers a unique perspective on Audrey Hepburn's life. It delves into her personal and professional journey, revealing the challenges she faced and the triumphs she achieved. The author's writing style is engaging and captivating, making it easy to get lost in the story.

By reading this book, you will gain a deeper understanding of Audrey Hepburn as a person. You will learn about her values, her passions, and her relationships. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the life and career of this remarkable actress.

Audrey Hepburn has always been a figure that I deeply admire. To anyone who has laid eyes on her, it is evident that she was an incredibly beautiful woman. However, beneath those enchanting looks resided an even more beautiful heart. Her extensive charitable works brought about a significant amount of positive change and good in the world. In comparison, her acting seems almost like a brief footnote.

Unfortunately, this book focuses more on Audrey's career rather than her life with UNICEF. I did learn many interesting things about her, ranging from her childhood in Nazi-controlled Holland to her tumultuous marriages. Nevertheless, I would have preferred to see more details about the remarkable good works that she accomplished. Still, I suppose I should bear in mind that her fame was what enabled her to shine a spotlight on the people in the world who were in desperate need.

Surprisingly, I did enjoy the book more than I initially anticipated. The writing style is engaging, and Spoto managed to keep my interest piqued throughout. It was quite obvious that he was a devoted fan. He had very few negative things to say about Miss Hepburn. If you are a fan of Audrey or have an interest in the film industry of the 50's and 60's, I highly recommend picking up this book. It contains numerous fascinating tidbits that are sure to captivate you.

Absolutely Inspirational!

This story is truly one that will touch your heart and inspire you to reach for the stars. It is filled with moments of courage, determination, and perseverance that will leave you in awe.

The protagonist faces numerous challenges and obstacles along the way, but never gives up. They continue to push forward, believing in themselves and their dreams.

Through their hard work and dedication, they are able to achieve great things and make a positive impact on the world around them. Their story serves as a reminder that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard and never give up.

So, the next time you feel like giving up, think of this story and let it inspire you to keep going. You never know what great things you can achieve if you just believe in yourself and stay committed to your goals.

Within the initiative #mujeresdeépoca organized by @LaPeceradeRaquel, we read the biography of Audrey Hepburn by Donald Spoto. This has allowed us to learn a little about the life of this movie icon. And I say a little because, while the book has a magnificent first part focused on the actress's childhood and adolescence, relating quite unknown parts of her life, especially those related to the Nazi occupation of Holland and her first forays into the world of acting, it then gives way to a succession of stories about movie shoots, scripts, co-stars, and other ins and outs of the movie world. What is interesting at times can become irritating for two main reasons:

1st, the author does not hold back when it comes to spoiling almost all the endings of the movies, -except for "Charade"-, which obviously, if you haven't seen the films and wanted to, then they have spoiled the surprise of the ending for you because it reveals everything.

2nd, the author sets himself up as a film critic, without anyone asking him to. Perhaps if he hadn't detailed the movies so minutely, the reader of his biography could have formed their own judgment about the work, without being conditioned by Spoto's opinion. Really, was it necessary?

I suppose that the secrecy with which Audrey shielded her private life during her star years makes the person Audrey remain blurred in a large part of her life, although I really liked how she got involved as a Unicef ambassador and what this brought her in her last stage.

Reading the book, I was left with the impression that she was a person with a great inner sadness, perhaps as a result of her childhood and the hardships lived during the war, but there are few photos, both in the book and on the internet, in which the smile she gives us reaches her eyes.

Finally, and as someone in the LC group commented, Audrey is a style icon, she had exquisite taste in clothes, but very bad taste in men.

Thanks to Raquel, for organizing the reading and for continuing to help us discover more women of the era.

I can do without the movie-making minutiae, and there's plenty of that in "Enchantment".

For me, the most captivating parts of this Audrey Hepburn biography were the beginning and the end. Hepburn's childhood, growing up in Europe during WWII, was truly fascinating. I deeply wish we had more in-depth details about that tumultuous period of her life. Just imagining a young Audrey courageously helping the Dutch resistance and tenderly nursing soldiers is simply amazing. Its profound impact on her life is undeniable, and it would have been far more interesting to explore this aspect rather than which co-stars she might have had relationships with.

The last few chapters focused on her time as an ambassador for UNICEF. Once again, this was much more engaging than learning about how she selected her acting roles. But let's be brutally honest... if it weren't for Audrey Hepburn the renowned celebrity, we likely wouldn't be reading about any of the other aspects of her remarkable life.

As far as the movie-related content goes, what truly surprised me, to be frank, is the relatively large number of less-than-stellar movies she made. Thank goodness for classics like "Roman Holiday", "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and a few others. Otherwise, this particular Hepburn might have been long forgotten in the annals of Hollywood history.

I recently embarked on a journey of watching classic films. Before my 25th year, these films held little allure for me. I always had the desire to enjoy them, but I simply couldn't overcome my aversion to the black and white. However, as I have aged a bit, perhaps due to running out of Netflix options, I have truly begun to relish classic films.

I am enamored by their simplicity, the uncomplicated plotlines, and the raw emotion展现 by Hollywood's brightest stars. I take pleasure in the good, straightforward stories and the absence of overt sexuality, violence, and vulgarity. It is truly a lovely experience.

Regarding the book, my interest in Audrey Hepburn was piqued after watching several of her films and being "enchanted" like most people. I would have awarded the biography 5 stars, but I felt that it placed too much emphasis on her career and roles and not enough on her as an individual. (Not that it didn't cover her personal life at all, but I simply craved a bit more).

My favorite aspect of Audrey is that towards the end of her life, she wished to utilize her fame for good. It is a perspective that I struggle to understand how some famous individuals fail to grasp. What is the purpose of fame and wealth if one does not do something productive with it? Isn't that the essence of life? To feel a sense of fulfillment by assisting others who are often in dire circumstances? That is how I feel, and it is also how many kind-hearted people around the world feel. It is a valuable lesson.

The Dark Side of Audrey Hepburn's Life

It is understandable that compiling a biography solely based on outside sources, without the personal experience and influence of the subject herself, can be a challenging task. However, this particular book seems to jump haphazardly from one aspect of Audrey Hepburn's life to another. It goes from her surviving the war, to her movie projects, to her suffering relationships, then back to movies, followed by a miscarriage, depression, and a failed marriage. The timeline is presented in a matter-of-fact manner, with a clear focus on the negative aspects. Audrey is portrayed as a promiscuous and sad individual. This approach, in my opinion, does a great disservice to her. It strips away a significant amount of the joy that must have been intertwined with the pain that we all experience in a lifetime. We all have our dark sides, and life is not all roses. But there is something about the way this biography is written that feels too mechanical and lacking in depth and nuance. This is the first Audrey Hepburn biography I have read, and unfortunately, I cannot recommend it.