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As the title indicates, Phillips recounts her life in theater (and radio, TV, and films) from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. She and O'Toole separated around 1976 and divorced in 1979. The earlier part of the book, where O'Toole (as she almost always calls him) figures prominently, was more focused and interesting: a four. The latter part, during which she is married (almost without knowing why) to the younger actor, Robin Sachs, feels too much like a recitation of dates, places, and people, without a cohesive theme: a two. Maybe that's how Phillips was feeling at the time, but it doesn't make for compelling reading. And when, on the final page, she proclaimed that she was (at about age 60) "happy ... at home and unafraid of what the future might bring," I couldn't really figure out what had brought her to this point other than, perhaps, time dimming her anxiety and worries.
But, oh, the rapture of her life with O'Toole, even if he comes across as a charming, controlling, chauvinistic ass. One can see that when their life was good, it was astonishingly good. But it was also obvious it could not last without Phillips' continued sublimation and even subjugation of her own needs and desires.
Splitting the difference with a 3-star rating.
But, oh, the rapture of her life with O'Toole, even if he comes across as a charming, controlling, chauvinistic ass. One can see that when their life was good, it was astonishingly good. But it was also obvious it could not last without Phillips' continued sublimation and even subjugation of her own needs and desires.
Splitting the difference with a 3-star rating.
