| Ava My Story |  | Author: Ava Gardner
Publisher: BANTAM BOOKS
Category: Book
Buy Used: $0.01
as of 9/6/2010 05:14 EDT details
Used (21) Collectible (2) from $0.01
Seller: Menu of Books
Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 1721339
Media: Hardcover
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.9 x 1.1
ASIN: B00142HRJA
Publication Date: January 1, 1990
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 12
 Superb Service August 11, 2010
Robert Brodowski (Liverpool, NY)
I did not expect this book to arrive as quickly and in as good a condition as it did. Very pleased.
What a story! June 16, 2010
Klara Spyri (Sweden)
I have a confession to make -- I am in love with Ava Gardner.
I have read many autobiographies in my time, especially movie star ones, being the devoted cinema scholar that I am. Ava's story tops it all, rivaled only by Rosalind Russell's.
This book of average length is literally a breeze. People say some books have them flipping pages because they're so engrossed. This is one of them. You don't even need a great concentrating ability. I mean, I woke up this morning and the first thing I did was to finish reading this gem. On one occasion, I was flipping through with great enthusiasm and found myself absolutely absorbing in her account of a fight with Frank Sinatra, when this experience came to an abrupt end due to the picture pages in the middle of the book. I nearly found myself cursing. That's how interesting her stories are. I have to add, though, that the pictures were so beautiful to look at and the captions so full of Ava's voice that I soon forgot my previous complaint. The story was resumed after a number of breathtaking photos, and I was put in an overall marveling mood.
The thing that surprised me the most was the amazingly fresh candor she displays. It is by far the most down-to-earth book that I have ever read in my entire life. She is so honest throughout the entire book, about the goods and the bads. She is not above admitting her faults, and in fact, clearly shows tremendous understanding of herself as well as of others. As her friend Franka says, she never badmouths anybody. She loved people in spite of their down sides, or perhaps even because of them. And when she couldn't stand somebody, she simply didn't bother. Her vocabulary is equally as frank and varied, making for hilarious lines and extremely touching passages. This book was the first that made me laugh and cry, which is one hell of an achievement for a book.
Aside from the delightful words from Miss G. herself, there are a few pages filled by some of her friends, including Gregory Peck and Arlene Dahl. These portions more-or-less corroborate the image of Ava Gardner you get by reading her story, and then some. Truth be told, I've always liked Ava, but had admittedly identified her with the roles she has played on-screen. Frank and funny -- which she is -- but also assertive and dominating. That would have been a fine character, but instead who I found was completely fresh. A lovely, honest Southern girl with a robust appetite for life. I don't think I know anyone like that, but if I did, I would be the first to be an appreciative friend. And the beauty of this book is that for a few hours in your life, you are. Because she is right there with you in the room, talking to you. All you have to do is provide an attentive ear... or eye!
An exciting read! March 17, 2010
lovehitzalot (Minnesota)
I loved this book! I actually picked it up because I knew nothing about Ava Gardner, except that she was a film star/sex symbol, and I wanted to find out who she really was. I'm so glad I did! Ava was so funny, endearing, and genuine in her thoughts and actions. This book has it all! I laughed out loud at her stories from childhood on up-it's amazing how cinematic her real life actually was! There were sad and touching moments too and I found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. When she first arrived in Hollywood as an extra, the picture she painted of her view of the studio was so down to earth that it seemed like she could have been practically any country girl and at any Hollywood-esque time (including now). I was intrigued by how she dealt/coped with terrifying and dangerous situations. Wow! I also loved how loyal she was to her husbands and was so impressed with her refusal to give in to Howard Hughes' offerings of anything she wanted in the world, since she didn't love him (the icing on the cake were the little lines at the end of those sentences, something like.. "I would do it all over again... I think"). :) I smiled most of the way through and could hardly put this book down! I definitely recommend it!
A peek inside old Hollywood January 23, 2006
mommy reader
9 out of 12 found this review helpful
I thoroughly enjoyed this auto-biography by Ave Gardner. She really said what she thought. Her writing style seemed to be her true personality, since she was from rural N. Carolina. She was the definition of a "broad". She was a great beauty, but she seemed to definitely dwell on her looks. She may have thought she didn't have much else going for her. Having recently read Gene Tierney's autobiography, I noticed that difference between the two. Tierney was fabulously beautiful, but didn't mention her looks but a few times,(possibly because it was so obvious). Ava Gardner also drank heavily. I'm amazed she was able to keep her looks for being such a heavy drinker. But in her films, around the age of 40, when she should have still been gorgeous, not having had children, she began to have a droopy face. That had to be the result of all that alchohol. It saddened me that she felt the need to abort the child she concieved with Frank Sinatra, even though they were married! It's no wonder she died a lonely woman.
a DAMN good book!!! May 26, 2005
Joseph Vannoy
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
If you can imagine what Ava Gardner was like, then this book is a must. It reads just like you'd imagine it would. This is absolutely the best-of-the-best autobiography I have read to date. I have read Marilyn Monroe's and Maureen O'Hara's, and they weren't nearly as captivating. When I think of Ava Gardner, I use to think of sexuality and booze. Now after having read this book, I still think that. She has quite the sense of humor and makes numerous witty retorts in regards to her life and the studio system that she fervently disliked. This is most evident in her words on husbands Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw, and Frank Sinatra, and how they were in bed. Also, not to be ignored is her unique relationship with "the Aviator" himself, Howard Hughes. Ava is the only woman who could have turned him down, and gotten away with giving him a scar to remember her by. She also discusses her love of Spain, which made me want to visit the place instantly, even though I have yet to do so do to limited means (I don't have a job and still live with my parents - get the picture?). This is probably the best book I have ever read.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 12
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