I began this book with great excitement. Her early years were truly captivating, and the author's writing style was quite engaging. I was thoroughly enjoying it until Spoto started delving into the movies she was in. That's when he really started to irk me.

For the most part, Spoto's writing is well-executed. However, he seems to muddle the line between being a biographer and a film critic. A biographer should focus on the facts. They should tell us which films she was in, what occurred during filming, what the public's reaction was to the film, and other such concrete details. A film critic can offer their opinion of the films, but since they present themselves as critics, we understand that it's just their perspective. So, for instance, when Spoto started talking about "Sabrina" and how challenging Humphrey Bogart was to work with, that was acceptable. But when he stated as a fact that Bogart was "miscast," that didn't sit well with me. He provided no quotes from critics who shared that view, nor anything from those involved in the production who thought he wasn't suitable for the role. It was just his opinion that Bogart was "miscast" (yes, they had initially wanted Cary Grant, but that doesn't mean Bogart didn't perform well in the film). And yes, I disagree with his assessment that Bogart was miscast, but the point is that it's not the biographer's job to also be a film critic.

I was willing to overlook it the first time, but it happened again with several other films. According to Spoto, "The Nun's Story," which I haven't seen but plan to, is nearly one of the best movies ever. "Green Mansions," which I actually liked, is terrible (yet there are no quotes from critics to back this up). Marni Nixon as the singing voice in "My Fair Lady" was a complete disaster, and the audience immediately felt a disconnect between the singing and Audrey every time a song started (while the studio's handling of the dubbing situation was indeed糟糕, the movie itself is not). By the time he got to "My Fair Lady," I was quite annoyed with Spoto.

Nevertheless, I finished the book because I wanted to learn about her work with UNICEF. That part was interesting. So, I enjoyed the beginning and the end, as well as some interesting tidbits in the middle. I wish I had chosen a different biography, but at least this one was a bargain.

Love, love, love Audrey! She is truly an icon. However, this book was just average for me. It had a fair amount of repetition, which made it a bit tiresome to read. I really wanted to read the actual critics’ reviews of her movies rather than just the author’s opinions. I would have preferred a more factual approach throughout the book.

For example, I was curious to know Audrey’s reaction to Julie Andrews’ quip in her acceptance speech at the 1964 Oscars. Andrews thanked Jack Warner, who had chosen not to cast her (despite originating the role on stage) but Hepburn in My Fair Lady. This decision left Andrews open to take the role of Mary Poppins, for which she won an Oscar. Meanwhile, Audrey wasn’t even nominated. I wonder if she laughed it off or if it bothered her.

It was both interesting and appalling to see the huge salary difference between actresses and actors in that era. Audrey received only $11,914 for her role in Sabrina, while William Holden got $80,000 and Humphrey Bogart received a whopping $200,000.

In addition, I would have loved to read more about Ms. Hepburn’s work with UNICEF. The author seemed to skip over some decades, which left me feeling a bit disappointed. I was also not satisfied with the photo selections in the book. So, I decided to post some of my favorite pictures of Audrey that were not included in the book.

Overall, the book had a rather sad undertone. It delved into her choices in men, her mother’s inability to express love, her absent father, her five miscarriages, and her many affairs. It was quite a contrast to the image of class, elegance, style, grace, and gentle strength that she projected in her pictures. But I guess that just goes to show what a great actress she was.

Jardins des Tuileries, 1956.


Audrey Hepburn sporting a black turtleneck in Funny Face, 1957.


Audrey Hepburn with William Holden in Sabrina, 1954. She’s wearing the exquisite Givenchy gown, for which he received no credit, but certainly helped Edith Head win her Oscar.


Audrey Hepburn publicity shot for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, 1961.


Audrey Hepburn in My Fair Lady, 1964.


Audrey Hepburn, Somalia, 1992 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

I have a deep love for Audrey Hepburn, and as a result, I clearly had a great enjoyment of this book. However, I'm not entirely sure to what extent I adored the author's style. On the back of the book, one of the reviews utilized the word "gossipy", and I firmly believe that this description is highly accurate. An elegant woman like Audrey Hepburn truly merits more than a biography that is predominantly driven by gossip.

Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that the book did manage to make the reading experience interesting, and there were indeed several outstanding parts within it. I took pleasure in reading it, but it will definitely not be the sole biography of hers that I intend to peruse. In my opinion, when it comes to any biography, having multiple different perspectives and authors is an excellent approach to take if one desires to gain a comprehensive understanding of someone else's life. It allows for a more well-rounded and nuanced portrayal, rather than relying on just one individual's account.

This way, we can piece together a more accurate and detailed picture of the subject, and truly appreciate the complexity and richness of their experiences. I look forward to exploring other biographies of Audrey Hepburn to further enhance my knowledge and admiration for this remarkable woman.

Gracias Irene por conocerme tan bien.

You really understand my interests and preferences.

The fact that you gave me this book shows how much you care.

I have been looking forward to reading it for a long time.

As soon as I received it, I couldn't wait to open it and start reading.

The content is so interesting and engaging that I couldn't put it down.

I am really grateful to you for this wonderful gift.

It means a lot to me and I will cherish it always.

Thank you again, Irene.