Honest and enthralling autobiography

I think Sian may be a wonderful actress but she may have been an even better writer, the story of her very interesting life unfolds beautifully. From Welsh poverty , to the dizzy heights of international fame she takes us on a journey that is fascinating. Her honestly about her marriage to Peter O’Toole , her admiration for him as a genius but her acknowledgment that he was a flawed character , capable of great love but also of great cruelty, is honest and the reader feels protective of the girl she was and the harms he did her while she accepted him warts and all . At no time do you feel she is asking for our sympathies, she lays bare the day to day problems of living with a man totally obsessed with work, booze and his craft , whilst raising his children and generally catering to his every need . I highly recommend this book .

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Extraordinarily honest

Well to listen to her voice is a real treat . Her analysis of herself , her thoughts and motivation very honest. To have succeeded and to have remained true to herself in public and private very admirable. Well worth the time to listen and admire .

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What a life.

Superb account by one of our best actresses from the time spent with O’Toole, to arriving where she is today.

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enthralling

admired the honesty which this book portrayed of a often sad but exciting life.Wonderful experience

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The best autobiography I have ever listened to.

I do have a passion for actor’s autobiographies. This autobiography (of which we have two volumes) however, is beyond what I have heard or read before. With a gripping honesty Dame Sian really does take us on her (now ubiquitously described) journey. And without cliche it is an expedition, sometimes literally. At one point I felt as if I was in that helicopter with her on a deadly mission to Angel Falls with Peter O’Toole. Sian’s voice is clear, calming and soothing and her outlook on life has helped me take stock of my own. I listened to the whole audiobook and immediately had to listen to it again. From the verdant Welsh village and community where she grew up to her life in London, punctuated with many international trips to exotic, glamorous locations, we travel with her. It is also a love letter to her family, the people she has shared her life with, laughed with and adored. With a rare eloquence, Dame Sian recounts her years on the stage and screen with fascinating detail. Thank you Dame Sian for narrating your autobiography, I just hope you’ll write your third instalment very soon.

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A charmed tale from a great dame often overlooked

A gifted scholar and a talented actress who tells her story with much honesty and candour.

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A Privilege to Share

Sian Phillips allows herself to be known to us and in so doing bestows that unique privilege that normally only comes with deep and close friendship.She unfolds her life with heart-touching sincerity, expressing herself completely naturally, as if she barely realises that the magnificence of her poetic prose is a thing of beauty in itself, as moving as the narrative of a life of one who has spent all her love on those who have peopled her life

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Outstanding

I have admired Sian Phillips as an actress all my life but as a writer she is extraordinary.
Her honesty, intelligence, empathy but above all her fluid literacy skills and story telling are in a class above.
I have listened to her book over 4 days, unable to metaphorically, ‘put it down’ and rejoice with her at the ending rather than selfishly demand more.
Sian Phillips is a woman and writer of exceptional ability whom it is a privilege to read.

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Wonderful diction

What a successful story of one of life’s dreamers, overcoming much. Read beautifully. Fascinating insights into the character Peter O’Toole.

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long and drawn out

So much detail and lists and lists and lists of fairly uninteresting parts of this story. Easy to listen to, especially good for falling off to sleep. Excellent professional performance from Miss Phillips. A theatrical delivery, apart from the word Ireland which the storyteller always pronounced Aarland with an Eire accent. After many hours of listening I felt as disconnected to the story at the end as I had at the begining.

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