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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
35(35%)
3 stars
29(29%)
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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One of my favorite actresses in the last few years has been Audrey Hepburn. Since college, I was more of a Natalie Wood fan, but in the last few years, I really delved into Audrey's work.
This book is a pleasant read. I had read it before, but upon re-reading it, I paid more attention to the author's focus on her extra-relationships and sometimes depression.
We all know Audrey from "Breakfast At Tiffany's", but this book provides more insights into films like "Charade" and "Sabrina" and how her co-stars treated her on set. The writer offers a wonderful ending about her death, where one will get emotional while reading about her wonderful work with UNICEF, showing that she was doing great things after she felt Hollywood had moved on from her. It is a wonderful read for fans of the Classic Hollywood era.

July 15,2025
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Before reading this book, I had only witnessed one Hepburn movie, namely Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Even that was a pleasant surprise for me as I had no anticipation of it being what it truly was.

Regarding this book, I truly relished it. I was completely unaware of Audrey’s background and the nature of her upbringing.

I even took pleasure in the author providing details about her movies, which piqued my curiosity to such an extent that I began watching some of them while perusing the book.

I watched Sabrina and Roman Holiday, but I am extremely intrigued to delve into The Nun’s Story as well.

Overall, it offered us a窥探 into who Audrey was as a person; who she was off-camera and what drove her to become a UNICEF goodwill ambassador!

This book has not only enhanced my understanding of Audrey Hepburn but has also inspired me to explore more of her works and learn about the woman behind the iconic roles.

It is a fascinating read that provides a unique perspective on one of the most beloved actresses of all time.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in Audrey Hepburn or the golden age of Hollywood.
July 15,2025
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I just happened to pick up this book in the local library. At first, I only thought I'd take it home and casually peruse it. However, to my surprise, I ended up reading every single word. I mean, who doesn't have an admiration for Audrey Hepburn? Her movies were not only full of fun but also some were extremely poignant.


I was astonished to learn that she was so unsure of herself, always doubting if she was good enough. These feelings actually originated from a rather traumatic childhood. Yes, I was also surprised about her various affairs and her chain smoking, as these things didn't seem to fit her "Image". But the truth is, she was so much more than just her image. She truly discovered herself when, after making those wonderful films, she dedicated her life to working with UNICEF. That was the moment when she truly became a "Star" in the truest sense of the word.

July 15,2025
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Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses, and her classic ladylike style has always been something I look up to. However, before reading this book, I didn't know much about her. I was truly shocked to discover the many similarities between us. For example, she suffered from constant insecurity, never really knowing her self-worth.

She led a rather sad and tragic life, and I believe her parents are partly to blame. Her controlling, unfeeling, and private mother, who never showed affection, and her father, who abandoned her when she was little, set the stage for her failed relationships. She married and became involved with men who resembled her father. Reading about her experiences during the Holocaust was difficult, and it's hard to imagine what it must have been like to live through that. Miraculously, she survived, and I think that experience gave her a soft grace on screen. She had a magnificent movie career in the beginning. Although I haven't seen all of her movies or any of her more serious dramas, it's clear that she was a remarkable actress with great talent that she unfortunately never fully recognized.

It wasn't until her mid-50s that she truly began to find herself. After giving up movies and with her sons grown, she joined UNICEF. It was there that she discovered who she really was and channeled the idea of her character, Sister Luke, into her work. From a young age, all Audrey wanted was to be a wife and mother. Despite two failed marriages, five miscarriages, and an endless string of lovers, her love life left much to be desired. However, it was her children, Sean and Luca, who gave her life meaning. She used that love to become a voice for all the children in poverty-stricken and disease-ridden countries, where children were dying right before her eyes. For the first time in her life, she seemed to have a real drive and purpose, and she completely opened herself up to the spotlight, but only as an ambassador for UNICEF to help raise awareness. She was passionate and on fire, and I believe that if she had lived longer, she would have accomplished even more amazing work.

Tragically, her death came relatively fast, and she was still rather young. She was diagnosed with cancer and passed away not long after.

Her life should be remembered and learned from. This amazing book taught me so much and is one of the best biographies I've read in a long time.
July 15,2025
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Audrey Hepburn was truly a remarkable individual who was worthy of having a book written about her.

I chose to read this particular book because I have a deep love for movie history and was primarily interested in gaining insights into the films she had been a part of. Little did I know just how difficult her childhood and youth had been, and what an incredibly interesting person she was overall.

The book was well-written and presented her in a favorable light while still not shying away from revealing her flaws. At times, it delved into excessive detail about the plot of a movie and the author's perception of it, but this was really only a minor criticism. Overall, it was a fascinating read that provided a comprehensive look at the life and career of one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

July 15,2025
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For sure, this is one of the best biographies I've ever read in my entire life. It is extremely moving and provides a detailed account of the life of one of the icons of the gold age cinema. Audrey was an incredibly fascinating woman, yet at the same time, she was so real. The author clearly seems to have a great deal of respect for her, which I truly appreciate in this particular case. This is because some modern biographies have a tendency to be overly cynical when it comes to Hollywood figures. However, Spoto is not like that at all. I highly recommend this biography to anyone who is interested in learning more about Audrey and her remarkable life. It is a truly engaging and captivating read that will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of this iconic figure.

July 15,2025
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Five stars for Audrey Hepburn but only three stars for this biographer. While I was completely engrossed in reading about Audrey's remarkable life, her unwavering commitment to her craft, her deep love of motherhood, and her noble work at UNICEF, I couldn't help but feel that the author took rather excessive liberties with Audrey's thoughts and motivations.


His writing style also seemed somewhat repetitive at times, which made the reading experience a bit less smooth. Even though he organized the book into sections by year, there was still a significant amount of backtracking and jumping around. This made it a bit challenging to follow the chronological flow of Audrey's life at times.


However, I do think it is the subject material that ultimately redeems this book. Audrey Hepburn is an absolutely fascinating figure. She is a true icon, yet she managed to remain quite down to earth and seemingly untouched by her immense fame. Her story is one that continues to inspire and captivate people around the world. Despite the flaws in the biographer's approach, the essence of Audrey's life and spirit still shines through in this book.

July 15,2025
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I chose this book because Audrey Hepburn is my idol. I have always been in awe of her beauty, grace, and talent. I wanted to learn more about her life, her struggles, and her achievements. Just by looking at the title, it is common sense that this book is about the life of Audrey Hepburn.


My favorite quote from the book is, "After looking inside an insane asylum, visiting a leper colony, talking to missionary workers & watching operations, I developed a new kind of inner peacefulness." I like this quote because it says so much in just one sentence. It shows the reader the kind of experiences that Audrey had and how they changed her. It doesn't just tell us that she became more peaceful, but it shows us the events that led to that change.


The author's writing style was okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't bad either. I thought that there were a lot of words on each page, and the book is 316 pages long. However, I was still able to get through it and learn a lot about Audrey Hepburn. I would recommend this book to all the Audrey lovers out there. If you want to learn more about her life and her character, this is the book you're looking for.

July 15,2025
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Enchantment is a captivating and engaging read.

Although it may not be overly remarkable, it is still well worth your time, especially if you are a fan of Hepburn.

I have come across people who accuse Spoto of being gossipy and tabloid-like. However, I was never influenced in such a manner by his book.

In fact, I found it to be well-written and highly entertaining.

The only significant complaint I have regarding it is the inclusion of a purported affair with playwright Robert Anderson.

This has never been mentioned by any other biographer, not even in rumors, and there is only one person with first-hand evidence, which is Anderson himself.

To say the least, it seems a bit suspicious, and I am not convinced that it ever actually occurred.

Quite the opposite, really.

Other than that, this is a good book, and I would recommend it to others.
July 15,2025
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Para Audrey, la cuestión era sencilla: Dar es vivir. Cuando se deja de dar, no hay nada por lo que vivir.

Audrey Hepburn es un símbolo de elegancia con un corazón muy grande. Ella no solo era una gran actriz que podía interpretar personajes, sino que prefería indagar y vivir sus personajes en profundidad.

Donald Spoto es uno de los mejores biógrafos de actores. Sin duda, ha hecho un excelente trabajo en este libro.

Este libro es altamente recomendado para los admiradores de Audrey Hepburn. Contiene no solo fotos y anécdotas detrás de cámara y de la construcción de personaje en algunas películas, sino también anotaciones de directores y compañeros de escena, y algunas personas que la conocieron y mantuvieron amistad con ella.

Así, los lectores pueden conocer más a fondo a Audrey Hepburn, no solo su belleza exterior, sino también su belleza interior y su filosofía de vida.
July 15,2025
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Honestly, I just really couldn't get into it. :-( Maybe it was because of the too slow of a start. It felt like I was waiting and waiting for something interesting to happen, but it just didn't come. The beginning seemed to drag on and on, and I found myself losing interest quickly. I tried to be patient and give it a chance, but unfortunately, it just didn't capture my attention. I was hoping for a more engaging and exciting experience, but instead, I was left feeling bored and uninterested. It's a shame really, because I had high expectations for it. Maybe if the start had been more dynamic and engaging, I would have been able to get into it and enjoy it more.

July 15,2025
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Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses from my youth. Her biography is truly interesting.

I delved into her early life and discovered many fascinating details. However, the writing style at times was a bit dry, which made it difficult to maintain a continuous flow of engagement.

It seemed that the author failed to fully develop some of the key aspects of her life, leaving me with a sense of incompleteness.

Eventually, I put the book down, thinking that I would pick it up and finish it one of these days. But, to be honest, I haven't picked it up yet.

I still have a strong curiosity about Audrey Hepburn and hope to find a more engaging and comprehensive biography that can do justice to her remarkable life and career.
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