Rating: 
Summary: What Was She Thinking?
Review: I have no respect for Woody Allen as a person (he remains a great artist), and now I have none for Farrow either. Doesn't she realize the children she discusses in such pornographic, biological detail will have to deal with this book the rest of their lives? That their school friends and (eventually) children will read it? Farrow should have gotten all this out of her system on the analyst's couch, and not sent it to a publisher. There are more kinds of "child abuse" than those she accuses Allen of.
Rating: 
Summary: Sincere without being Scathing
Review: I read a whole lot. I like biographies especially, but I shied away from this one for a long time, not interested in the over-feted ex Mrs. Previn/ ex Mrs. Sinatra whose boyfriend seduced her own adult daughter and was suspected of molesting their own child. However, as a strong adoption proponent, a TV show on Mia and her many children finally convinced me to give this book a chance.I really enjoyed it. The talented Miss Farrow is an effective narrator, recounting her life without fanfare or hyperbole. She admits to her own weaknesses (you should read Eddie Fisher's autobiography for a non-example of THAT!), and she confesses that her movie-baby upbringing skewed her perspective of normalcy that most of us take for granted. She didn't even realize Frank Sinatra was a legend at the time of their marriage, for example. She bubbles over trials (polio as a youngster, the death of her father, her divorces) with the attitude that negativity deserves no chance to crush the present. However, she spends more time on Allen; her account rings with absolute sincerity as she describes the ongoing perversions of his behavior with their daughter Dylan (and readily confesses her own "wrongness" for not stopping the inappropriateness long before she actually did, earning my respect). She even included, in an appendix, the court decision refusing Allen custody of the three children they shared and the reasons why. Her anger does appear in defense of Dylan and especially upon discovery of Allen's affair with Soon-Yi, her daughter with Andre Previn. She describes without an iota of rancor or hatred scenes of him attempting to justify himself, but I could not help but want to smack him hard for the damage he foisted on innocent children. Yes, I think Mia should have been smarter in the first place about him. So does she. But he was wrong, evil. Usually, after I read one biography, I read others about the same person (or about his or her loved ones, if they're famous and have their own books out) to try to avoid a skewed perspective of the truth... but in this case, it'll be quite a while before I would care to touch a Woody Allen ANYTHING, especially a book or film that would put money in his selfish, narcissistic, self-serving pocket. Her adoption mania struck me as dysfunctional at first, but in context (Mia is, herself, one of seven children... and she always first consulted her present family before introducing a newcomer... many of whom were grown by the time new babies entered the scene), it's not as startling as I imagined. Again, she describes the evolution of her nuclear family without sensationalism, without a "glorify me because I'm so heroic" attitude, just with simple comment that children all deserve families to love them, even children that most "normal" families would find it difficult to love. She has the means, and she has the imperfect though always willing heart to back up her inclinations. I would definitely recommend this book to read, although you may want to scope it out in a bookstore or library before buying it. It's not light fare.
Rating:
Summary: Sincere without being Scathing
Review: I read a whole lot. I like biographies especially, but I shied away from this one for a long time, not interested in the over-feted ex Mrs. Previn/ ex Mrs. Sinatra whose boyfriend seduced her own adult daughter and was suspected of molesting their own child. However, as a strong adoption proponent, a TV show on Mia and her many children finally convinced me to give this book a chance. I really enjoyed it. The talented Miss Farrow is an effective narrator, recounting her life without fanfare or hyperbole. She admits to her own weaknesses (you should read Eddie Fisher's autobiography for a non-example of THAT!), and she confesses that her movie-baby upbringing skewed her perspective of normalcy that most of us take for granted. She didn't even realize Frank Sinatra was a legend at the time of their marriage, for example. She bubbles over trials (polio as a youngster, the death of her father, her divorces) with the attitude that negativity deserves no chance to crush the present. However, she spends more time on Allen; her account rings with absolute sincerity as she describes the ongoing perversions of his behavior with their daughter Dylan (and readily confesses her own "wrongness" for not stopping the inappropriateness long before she actually did, earning my respect). She even included, in an appendix, the court decision refusing Allen custody of the three children they shared and the reasons why. Her anger does appear in defense of Dylan and especially upon discovery of Allen's affair with Soon-Yi, her daughter with Andre Previn. She describes without an iota of rancor or hatred scenes of him attempting to justify himself, but I could not help but want to smack him hard for the damage he foisted on innocent children. Yes, I think Mia should have been smarter in the first place about him. So does she. But he was wrong, evil. Usually, after I read one biography, I read others about the same person (or about his or her loved ones, if they're famous and have their own books out) to try to avoid a skewed perspective of the truth... but in this case, it'll be quite a while before I would care to touch a Woody Allen ANYTHING, especially a book or film that would put money in his selfish, narcissistic, self-serving pocket. Her adoption mania struck me as dysfunctional at first, but in context (Mia is, herself, one of seven children... and she always first consulted her present family before introducing a newcomer... many of whom were grown by the time new babies entered the scene), it's not as startling as I imagined. Again, she describes the evolution of her nuclear family without sensationalism, without a "glorify me because I'm so heroic" attitude, just with simple comment that children all deserve families to love them, even children that most "normal" families would find it difficult to love. She has the means, and she has the imperfect though always willing heart to back up her inclinations. I would definitely recommend this book to read, although you may want to scope it out in a bookstore or library before buying it. It's not light fare.
Rating: 
Summary: The audio is compelling because of her personal tone.
Review: I read the other reviewer who felt the audio was flat. I feel the opposite. I find the audio version of the book allows us to hear Ms. Farrow tell her story in her own voice. She comes to realization too late in most instances, like most of us, and relates her saga with clarity and poignant honesty. This is a commentary on fame, on relationships, on dawning consciousness, on parenthood. I found it compelling throughout.
Rating:
Summary: Such a nice person!
Review: I really felt the pain Mia suffered with her lover her daughter and the deceit. This book is written straight from her heart.
Rating:
Summary: Time stopper
Review: I started this book at 4:30 last night and finished it at 3:45 this morning. It was written so well and so interesting I couldn't put it down. Mia gave us a look into a different life-style than most people have experienced. I only wish Micky Rooney would have gotten jail time.
Rating:
Summary: Very honest, very sad. An odyssey in personal growth.
Review: I thoroughly "enjoyed" reading Mia's story. I suppose that "enjoyed" isn't the appropriate word because I find it a very sad story. I guess I should say that I was rivetted to the book. Hard to put it down. Mia's life was one of incredible events. She appears to me to be a person who forever saught approval and acceptance from a world that, in it's most part, doesn't deserve such innocence and naivete. She was easily influenced in the hope that she would be appreciated and accepted. From all the hurt and hard times Mia had to grow up with, she comes out of all her trials with incredible dignity and honest self-acceptance. I have just one thing to say about Woody Allen... I will never pay one cent to see any of his movies ever again. He is discusting and selfish and extremely self-absorbed. While reading her account of life with him, I wanted to scream at her right from the beginning "What do you see in this freak?" I hope that Mia is happy today and continues to care for herself...
Rating:
Summary: Loved this!
Review: I usually love to read a good mystery. I decided to try this one out and loved it! Mia is so honest about her life's ups and downs. I recommend this!
Rating:
Summary: ENCHANTING AND REAL
Review: I was ready for anything with this book. I love the idea of Mia Farrow's unconventional lifestyle and her eccentricity but that does not a great writer make. However, I was really happily surprised at her lovely writing style. She is a natural talent. Her writing voice is clear and elegant and does justice to her very interesting life. I, of course, was interested in the Woody Allen scandal, but that is only a small part of what this book has to offer. Wonderful read.
Rating:
Summary: ENCHANTING AND REAL
Review: I was ready for anything with this book. I love the idea of Mia Farrow's unconventional lifestyle and her eccentricity but that does not a great writer make. However, I was really happily surprised at her lovely writing style. She is a natural talent. Her writing voice is clear and elegant and does justice to her very interesting life. I, of course, was interested in the Woody Allen scandal, but that is only a small part of what this book has to offer. Wonderful read.
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