Home: A Memoir of My Early Years
by Julie Andrews
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Book Reviews of Home: A Memoir of My Early Years
Book Review: Home Sweet Home
Summary: 5 Stars
When it was announced that Home, Julie Andrews' much anticipated memoir would only cover until she began Mary Poppins, I was initially disappointed. But as I began delving into Home, I realized the detail she was able to afford her early years by doing so allowed a story to unravel that was absolutely absorbing; something that likely been comprised had Home chronicled her entire illustrious career. I was very ignorant of Julie's early career, thinking it essentially began with My Fair Lady on Broadway. What I didn't know was the dark lonely childhood lived in poverty during the war. Unlike Elizabeth Taylor, Julia (as she was originally named) did not have the luxury of seeking refuge elsewhere, and was forced to remain in a very bleak and dark London; many nights spent huddled in one of the city's Underground stations with her mother and her new stepfather who she despised. Weekends spent with her father in the countryside provided fleeting moments of happiness for the young girl.
As she grew a little older, her stepfather discovered that she had an extremely powerful singing voice, and she was quickly enrolled in lessons. In no time she was shoved onstage to entertain crowds alongside her parents in dusty old music halls across England. Julie, known as the "pigtail prodigy," became the centerpiece of the act, much to the frustration of her jealous stepfather, who was an alcoholic. In Home, Julie intimately remembers her early days spent touring around England during the dying days of vaudeville. As interest in the family act begins to dissipate, Julie appears in Christmas pantomimes and on the radio, and catches the eye of producers who are mounting the Broadway production of The Boy Friend, a recent musical hit there on the West End. By the end of Home, Julie is the toast of Broadway, originating the lead roles in My Fair Lady and Camelot, and is to begin work on the film that made her an icon, Mary Poppins.
In Home, the story of Julie Andrews' early career tumbles out a rapid pace, all the while displaying grace, wit, humour, and surprising honesty. It was quite clear to me just how meticulously researched Home actually was. As this book took ten years to complete, I doubt we'll see another so soon--although I pray I'm wrong. I'd love a follow-up just to know what happened in the lives of Dad, Mum, Pop, Aunt Joan, etc. after the book's completion. The characters are that endearing. Home is one of the greatest memoirs I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It's not hard to know why Julie Andrews and her films have become such an important part of our lives. Bravo, Julie. Bravo.
Book Review: gracious to those who helped
Summary: 5 Stars
Julie Andrews is the beneficiary of exceptional talent, hard work, good luck and the support of others. Many times she graciously calls out people who helped her in time of need, from timely advice to taking a risk, or who simply did something for which she was ever-grateful. That's the sweet and professional Ms. Andrews we all expect, and that part of her memoir was unsurprising, albeit very enlightening.
The surprise for most readers will probably be Julie's youth of humble origins and near poverty in rural England. I knew she was a child prodigy by twelve or so, but always assumed she had been at least middle class to have had that opportunity. Instead her family struggled to get by, compounded by alcohol and family breakup. Similarly, her real early years in the business were focused on the vaudeville circuit with her mother and stepfather, rather than highbrow appearances for the cultured set. The lessons learned were exceptionally valuable to Julie as she hit the big time on stage while still a teenager.
Julie clearly loved her Dad immensely, generous with his loving support throughout, even though absent when Mom split for Ted Andrews. She could easily have fallen off the tracks without Dad and Aunt Joan and some teachers. Her loyalty to Dad when Mom confesses to Julie's true paternal origins was touching.
A book of all sweetness and modest tell-all would be insufficient. The author's tale of the home life is frank, without being mean or vindictive. She understands the struggles of her Mom, who still did a lot for young Julie, and the sad decline. Fortunately, Julie had the gifts and will to survive as a teen and hold the family together enough. The image of sweet and innocent Julie masked a tough girl who got by, even when she didn't really know what was going on or what to do. She is honest about how often she came close to failure, again calling out her good fortune at key moments.
The stories behind "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot" and other productions include enough spice to keep the narrative moving, with insights about Rex Harrison, Richard Burton and so many others.
At the end, when Walt Disney has charmed Julie and Tony into "Mary Poppins", it's amazing that such a good memoir has been written, while the author's two most known achievements have yet to occur.
Some film clips with audio of the young Julie are out there on the Internet, and make a nice companion to the book.
4.5 stars
Book Review: Practically perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
"Home" was the first word that toddler Julia Wells -- soon to become Julie Andrews -- spoke. Though it was denied her as a young girl, a normal home life was important to Andrews from the beginning.
The embodiment of a class act, Julie Andrews tells the story of her impoverished upbringing in London with grace and candor. She recounts what must be painful memories in a straightforward way, never whining or asking for pity. She holds nothing back.
Stories of her alcoholic stepfather -- and his obvious efforts to molest her -- left me shaken. When she was 9, he insists he show her "how I cuddle with Mummy." At 16, he shows up in her bedroom and demands that he "really must teach you to kiss properly." Her uncle installs a padlock on her bedroom door. Julie's two younger brothers are regularly beaten and abused. When her 3-year-old brother has a potty-training accident, the stepdad rubs the little boy's nose in it.
Andrews began performing to support the family while still very young. She tells fascinating stories of learning to sing properly and working the shabby vaudeville circuit. The result of her first screen test? "She's not photogenic enough for film." To combat the stress the 12-year-old would go to a nearby cinema to watch Mickey Mouse cartoons between her two performances of the night.
The fact that Cinderella is her door out is almost too perfect. Later, when Walt Disney picked her to play Mary Poppins, she gets a whirlwind tour of Disneyland by Walt himself, riding the Jungle Cruise and seeing the Swiss Family Treehouse. "Mary Poppins" author P. L. Travers even calls her, complaining: "Well, you're much too pretty, of course. But you've got the nose for it!"
The memoir ends there, with Andrews on the cusp of real stardom.
Book Review: I'm glad this book covers the early years in such evocative detail...
Summary: 5 Stars
Julie Andrews' new autobiography, "Home," is a must-read for anyone who loves Disney, entertainment, England and great family stories. She is a consummate writer -- yes, she is one of the celebrities who writes her own books -- and evokes the mood, settings, and even the smells of her early life, from a dysfunctional but loving family and the last days of British Vaudeville to Broadway stardom and getting the role of Mary Poppins.
I was not aware that two Disney legends crossed paths twice in their careers. Julie Andrews performed in her first big stage variety show with none other than Disneyland Golden Horseshoe fixture Wally Boag. Boag also figures prominently in Steve Martin's autobiography, in which he fondly recalls Disneyland as his haven from an unhappy home life.
Julie's childhood had tough times, but she remained very close to her family over the years despite the bumps in the road. I'm glad she chose to focus in so much detail on her early career in this book, since many of us know little about the theatrical world she came from. Mary Poppins makes an appropriate stopping point since she suggests that her early experience led to her being uniquely qualified to play the part, which had a lot of music hall-style set pieces. The life she led after the movie made her an international star is really another story for another book.
I listened to the book on CD. Hearing Julie Andrews herself spin her tale in a warm, friendly way is a remarkable experience. Some of my friends chose to read the book first. I also bought the book to share with family and friends, and to have on hand for quick reference.
Book Review: A good start to a fascinating life
Summary: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed Julie Andrews' recently published memoir, "Home." Sadly, the reader is left at the beginning of her catapult to stardom wishing that the follow-up book was already available. Fans wanting to learn all about "Mary Poppin" and "The Sound of Music" will be disappointed, as this volume ends just as Julie is about to begin production on "Mary Poppins." Many will wonder what she could possibly fill a book with, leaving out the bulk of her career. I can tell you: PLENTY! "My Fair Lady" & "Camelot" on Broadway, "Cinderella" in the early years of television, live performances for the British Monarcy, and much more. Julie has written a beautiful tale of her early years; how her amazing vocal talents were developed, the trials and tribulations of growing up in a broken home, as well as all the things that contributed to her being able to grab the plum role of P.L. Travers' famous nanny, Mary Poppins (especially touching is her recounting of Walt Disney personally walking her around Disneyland). Julie is extremely frank, candid, and revealing; she had more than her share of hardships growing up. One will get a sense of what World War 2 was like for a little girl; she vividly paints the picture of the bomb shelters and the constant unease of not knowing when an evacuation might occur. Still, with all of the sadness that Julie reveals, her positive spirit never once asks for sympathy or for tears. This is an uplifting tale that is able to rise above the typical "who I slept with" narratives that so many celebrities choose to concoct. I highly recommend this book to those who admire Julie Andrews and want an inside look at her early years.