Book Review: Home

This week’s book is Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews.

1. What I like about the book

There are two reasons I like this book: the author, and the title.

I have been a fan of Julie Andrews ever since watching The Sound of Music. I’m not a movie buff and hardly ever find a show good enough to watch more than once, but I’ve watched Sound of Music more than twenty times in my life and can now sing along to every line in that movie.

The book tells the story of Andrews’ childhood and early career in vaudeville, singing first with her mother and stepfather in small shows all over England, and later coming into her own as a singer and actress in London and America.

She tells of her difficult initiation into the world of theatre, apparently being a terrible actress at first. Although she obviously has talent, you also get the feeling that this is somebody who worked extremely hard for her success. She endured long periods away from her family, feeling lonely and without friends, but always knowing that ‘the show must go on.’

Andrews describes her friendship and courting days with Tony Walton, a designer whom she married and had a daughter with. The book ends with the family heading to Hollywood for the next phase of their lives, a phase which will include her meteoric rise to stardom in Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music, and her divorce from Walton and second marriage to Blake Edwards.

She certainly leaves us in great suspense as this memoir ends abruptly while she travels to England to America. It is a clever ending, designed to entice readers to wait eagerly for the sequel.

Julie Andrews comes across as, very simply, nice. There is no self-importance or pompousness that you tend to sense in some other stars. This is despite the fact that she must have an inner core of steel to survive and thrive in showbiz. Moss Hart, who directed her in My Fair Lady, once famously remarked of her that “She has that terrible British strength that makes you wonder how they ever lost India.”

The choice of title is also commendable. ‘Home’ is a word that resonates with everyone, and goes to show how Andrews considers herself an ordinary person just like any other, notwithstanding the fact that she is actually Dame Andrews after being conferred that title by the Queen.

Julie Andrews is to me the “sound of music”. She is also the perfect combination of lady and commoner, “a spoonful of sugar” who comfortably yells “move your bloomin’ arse!”, a consummate professional and somebody who just wants to go home.

2. Who should read this book and why

Fans of Julie Andrews

Anyone who has watched and loved Andrews’ works may be interested in the leading lady’s early years which eventually led to such wonderful musicals. To read her memoirs while hearing that crystal clear, soaring, effortless voice in your head is a real treat. Most people know Andrews as the star that she is, and have no idea what it was like for her, performing to such a gruelling schedule from a young age and the toll it took on her health and family life. It’s always fascinating to be allowed ‘backstage’ as it were.

Those intending to write their memoirs

I have read many autobiographies and Andrews’ memoirs stand out as the most conversational, truthful and kind piece of writing I’ve come across. While not hiding her own feelings about the people and events in her life, she manages to reflect well on everyone she talks about, even those who obviously were rather unkind to her. Her impeccable manners in the way she treats others makes me more of a fan than ever.

3. Quotes from the book

My favourite quote

“Madame gave me a valuable piece of advice, which as stayed with me over the years. ‘Julie,’ she said. ‘Remember: the amateur works until he can get it right. The professional works until he cannot go wrong.’” (page 121)

Other quotes

“Madame also put great emphasis on the ends of phrases. For example, if I was coming to the end of a song and holding the last note, she would say ‘Follow it, follow it, follow it – see it going down the road in front of you as far as you can. See it disappearing into the distance. Now just close your mouth on it and finish the sound.” (page 52)

“There is no more magical feeling, no one luckier than I. It is to do with the joy of being a vessel, being used, using oneself fully and totally in the service of something that brings wonder. If only one could experience this every night.” (page 261)

“Camelot is a tragic three-way love story; Arthur, Guenecere and Lancelot care deeply for each other. The king hopes to use his power, his sword and his intellect to create a better world for mankind. ‘Might for Right’ is how he describes it… ‘Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment, that was known as Camelot.’ It was grand theatre stuff and, for those of us who remember, the theme was adored by John F Kennedy, and it came to symbolize his presidency.” (page 287)

4. Other reviews of the book

Moira Macdonald wrote a lovely review using lines from Andrews’ best known songs as section headings. This is a raving review, as evidenced by the opening and closing lines of the review which are “As a kid, I wanted to be Julie Andrews. As an adult, I still do.”

If you don’t intend to read the book but want to know some of the details of Andrews’ childhood, Susan King’s review offers some snippets of information from the book.

For those more interested in Andrews’ professional career, Elinor Teele offers a detailed summary of Andrews’ famous works with quite a few quotes from the book.

Finally, John Simon posts a gushing review on Julie Andrews’ very own website, with additional quotes (not found in the book) by those who worked with Andrews.

  • Share/Bookmark


If you like this post, why not sign up for more?


Posted by Daphne | November 2, 2008 | in Book Reviews


No Responses to “Book Review: Home”

Leave a Reply