What Falls Away

Rating:
Summary: From Frank to Woody! What was she thinking?
Review: The most striking for me was how she fell for Frank Sinatra, a man with whom she had nothing in common except for his father-like fragrance. She apparently had no prior sexual experience (in fact she almost became a nun!), so became Frank's dame wa an incredible jump. Then to understand that Woody is truly a dispicable, amoral, narcistic sleaze (which Howard Stern has been saying for years) which takes her too long to realize! Well, the books ends with Mia seeming to realize her true self and not having to live through a powerful man, so we can only wish it lasts. What's next, Marv Albert? Dennis Rodman? Frank Gifford?

Rating:
Summary: A true survivor!
Review: There is not a lot to add to the reviews already given here. I really enjoyed reading this memoir of Mia's life, and look forward to how the rest of her life plays out. She was born into much more richness than many of us had, but her life shows that she was not immune to many disappointments: from the Polio she had as a child to the ultimate betrayal by Woody Allen. I was pleased to see how important her family was to her, and how important her children continue to be to her. What caused her more problems than anything was her poor choice in men, and in that failure she is certainly not alone. She is a true survivor as well as a woman with a very big heart. I read the book on vacation so quickly, I had to buy another book to read. And, then I even had time to read it again. Like it or not, Mia tells it as she sees it.

Rating:
Summary: The true Mia is revealed. And it ain't pretty.
Review: There's no doubt that what Woody Allen did with SoonYi was out-of-bounds. But, sorry, it wasn't illegal. He wasn't her stepfather (only in figure, as he was dating her stepmother). Anyone interested in psychology or child abuse, however, may benefit from reading this book. As one other reviewer alludes, Farrow has a seeming obsession with children and adoption. Just because she is rich and a woman does not exempt her from inflicting abuse of her own on these adoptees. If, as she contends, Woody Allen was a molester, then it brings into question her own diligence and competence as a mother. Further, ALL of her adult relationships with men have proven to be Svengali-like, which, again, reveals her passive-aggressive hidden self and her weak will. I have no doubt that what Mia Farrow has written here she truly believes. But she also reveals herself to be a narcissistic personality, very controlling, and, while interesting as a case study, she is not someone I would ever care to know personally. Quite frankly, she creeps me out.

Rating:
Summary: Mia, Mia.
Review: This book basically gives a lot of insight into the mentality of Mia Farrow. Her good heart, but her weak character. I don't think it's any secret to any of us that what Woody Allen did would terrify us all, fathers and mothers alike. The court documentation in the book is a nice addition to clarify it. Mia Farrow's behaviour and her twisted relationship with father-figures shows what the illness is with a lot of women today, in which they defer to someone else's judgement about how to live their own lives. It's a book I'd recommend for every woman before she wants to have children.

Rating:
Summary: I could never watch a Woody Allen film again...
Review: This book is entertaining and hard to put down, but it's also frustrating and infuriating. Why in the world would Farrow spend so many years with a man she doesn't describe at all positively? And, of course, why would he do the horrendous things he did? We'll never know, but I surely don't want to see any of his movies anymore.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting, if uneven ,look at a celebrity life.
Review: This book was a good read, but I would have enjoyed more insight into her view of the people in her life. I never felt at all clear about the attraction to Mr. Sinatra, or his for her. I didn't gain any insights into Dali, or many of th e other people in her life. A clear picture of her father emerges, and a few others. In my opinion, the book is worth reading for the account of her life with manical egotist Allen, and the resulting judge's ruling regarding custody of the Farrow children in itself, but Farrow truly did have an interesting life before the infamous break-up. I feel as though I can't ever sit through an Allen movie again without this horrific view into the man's psyche interfering with any enjoyment. But Farrow emerges as a much more interesting person than Allen, and her struggles, blindnesses, and final triumph are quite absorbing at times.

Rating:
Summary: Ms. Farrow is a person to be admired.
Review: This was a very good book; I enjoyed it a great deal. Her life makes a very interesting story and she is to be admired for adopting all those children. The subtle humor in it is great. And Woody Allen should be in jail--what a creep

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This was written from the heart, Mia's pain seeps through the ink. Loved reading her story.

Rating:
Summary: Time Stopper
Review: Time stopper, February 3, 2000 Reviewer: lynnanz (see more about me) from USA 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 Woody Allen would have gotten jail time.

Rating:
Summary: An eloquent memoir of a troubled life lived selflessly
Review: Truly memorable. I have gained much respect for this woman who I knew little of other than her role as Mrs. Woody Allen and the mother of Rosemary's Baby. Mia is truly a woman who has spent her life in the service of others, but who has had very little left to give to herself. I come away feeling that Mr. Allen's unquestioned genius is a subversion of and reaction to the unspeakable darkness that occupies his soul. There are no villains in this story so much as there are victims. Mia's children are blessed to have such a loving mother; Woody's despicable behavior in all its bizarre manifestations is the outward expression of a tormented soul that will never know peace, joy, or true happiness. He is surely suffering, as he has caused profound suffering in others. I wish Ms. Farrow and her children peace, love, and finally, contentment. But most of all, peace.