Rating:  Summary: I Now Know What's Over The Rainbow Review: Lorna Luft had the real potential to take her private life and turn it into another "Mommie Dearest". But as you read the book, you come to realize quite fast that it is a "Mommy Dearest" in the truest and literal sense of the words. If anything, she explains what, up until now, have been question marks as to "why" and "how". There is no doubt she loves her mother, her father, her sister and her brother very much. While her story may begin with the childhood of Frances Gumm, it certainly doesn't end at her funeral. This is a rare, honest, and raw glimpse into the world of society's attitudes toward drugs and alcohol spent upon the public stage. But it was told from her vantage point...the view of a child with the forced wisdom of an adult thrust upon her at an early age.The fact that these children survived is a testament to themselves and the love they received from their parents. And if the end of the book doesn't give you hope, then you better re-read it with a little attitude adjustment.
Rating:  Summary: excellent Review: This the best book written on Judy Garland I think I have ever read. Alot of books I have read focus mostly on her tragic life but the one main focus in this book is on her and her family. Her love as a mother and wife. I think this is wonderful and Lorna Luft is an excellent writer. Its writing style is easy to follow and gives the reader a behind the scenes look at the truly gifted and wonderful person Judy Garland was. There are alot of great pictures and information. I highly reccomend this book to all Judy Fans. I think this is as real as you can get! Good edition to any collection.
Rating:  Summary: A Painful Expose of Judy Garland Review: I have always LOVED Judy Garland - the Worlds Greatest Entertainer - deeply. However I didn't love the tell all book her daughter wrote about her. Judy Garland never really had a chance, her addiction to prescription drugs was begun during her childhood at MGM, her mother being one of the main people responsible for the emotional abuse she incurred at this time. Lorna Luft comes across as the secong daughter desperate for some attention. Despite being talented, Lorna's career never reached the heights of either Judy or older sister Liza Minnelli. And this is Lorna's way of having her place in the sun. Garland would have been humiliated had she known about this. She was a good person who loved her children enormously. Sure she could be difficult,what addict isn't ? But did she deserve this ? I think not. Was this the reason Liza and Lorna had such a bitter falling out ? Shame Lorna,shame. PS If you want a great book about Judy, try "Judy Garland The World's Greatest Entertainer" a wonderful read.
Rating:  Summary: Great Book Review: I read this book and absolutely loved it. If you are a fan of Judy Garland's or just love to read stories about people's lives, you will love this book. Her daughter gives such a wonderful inside look. You will never believe some of the stories in the book. The one about the house catching on fire is really interesting and there are also some very tragic tales about the drugs Judy took since she was young. It is a must read, and if you enjoy it, you have to see the movie too.
Rating:  Summary: The TV Movie Was Much Better Review: With the exception of the last few chapters, Miss Luft's book doesn't come close to the home run hit by the TV movie version of this memoir. I knew Garland was hooked on perscription drugs and even though at 47 she looked much older, the surprising factor of the book was the extent to the addiction.
Rating:  Summary: Being a True Shadow Review: I have been a HUGE Judy fan since the ago of 5. Currently, I am only 14, but I have read almost every book written about Judy, and quite frankly, this is my favorite. I think Ms. Luft did a fabulous job with her writings in this book. I enjoyed the book so much, I couldnt put it down. I took it everywhere I went, and finished it in 5 days. In the book, Ms. Luft writes her point of view, as a daughter, of the Worlds Greatest Entertainer, and in her view, her mother. Not too many people live with that, and/or know how to deal with all the changes in their lives due to divorces, concerts, television, etc. I really thought she showed a lot of her maturity when caring for her mother and her brother, Joey. After this book, I would give anything in the world to meet with her just to tell her how much I loved this book.
Rating:  Summary: Not Too Many People Get The Point Review: The book is very interesting and I couldn't put it down. I may be wrong, but it seems that Ms. Luft wrote this totally on her own (no ghostwriter) and should be congratulated for her fine work. In my opinion, she presents herself as a true human being, not some celebrity who has decided to cash in on a life story through a professional author. Let's give her the credit that she finally deserves, I don't think I could write such a personal account of my family...to the critics, think about it, let's see you do it! I know that siblings and children are consistantly compared in 'normal' families, but can you imagine being compared with the world always watching! I've had the opportunity as well to see Ms. Luft in concert...she has a wonderful, very expressive, extremely strong voice and is a knock-out performer in her OWN RIGHT! It is wonderful that she is keeping Judy Garland's legend alive (in concert), as she was one of the most (if not the most) talented performers that ever lived, however after Ms. Luft's tours, I would love to see some CDs on the store shelves that are just hers. All who are so critical and comparative are missing out on enjoying one of the finest entertainers of our time. All who haven't the opportunity to see Ms. Luft perform, one suggestion: GO! Congratulations on the book, the movie and the tour, they are all wonderful!
Rating:  Summary: What a shame Review: "Uh...... I do not have the talent, the personality and the look that my mother and my so-called sister Liza (if she still want to consider me as her sister after reading my book) have to become respectable and famous artist. What should I do? Oh! Yes. Write to book to condemn them and make myself look good, at the same time, some profit, of course......" I supposed this is what Lorna Luft had in mind before she started to write this trashy book. She try to condemn almost everyone in her book, and told the whole world that she was the only victim. The only thing I could say is, I felt so angry and sad for Judy Garland. She actually betrayed by her own daughter. Too bad this is no "ZERO STAR" for the rating. Lorna Luft, you.......
Rating:  Summary: The GREATEST!!! Review: A great and amazing book. SO well written, true, and from and great point of view. Though Lorna isn't a writer, this is the best book I have ever read!
Rating:  Summary: Garland for sale...Anyone? Review: In the old Luft tradition of selling out Judy Garland for a profit, Miss Luft has written the most offensive biograhpy (?) of Garland to date. There were things written here that I didn't need or want to know about Judy, if they are true at all. It seems that somewhere in her booze-binging, drugged-out days, Miss Luft forgot all about The Fifth Commandment, Honour thy Father and thy Mother. It is a shame that she is trying to make money off the memory of her dead mother. If she wanted to heal herself and face the demons of her past, she could have done it in the privacy of a psychiatrist's office, like we all do. Sid must have made enough money in his "hard-working " days to afford her that luxury. Before throwing this piece-of-trash book in my fireplace, I read the quote in the back cover that says: "Lorna has more talent than all of us put together." - Judy Garland. At that point I realise 1 or 2 things: First, that Luft's GOT to be kidding! Or second, that she quit drugs 3 years to late... Think about it, if all that Luft says in her book is true, then Garland may have uttered these words in a full-fledged, drugged-out state of mind. So this quote lacks all credibility, since I'm sure no one else ever heard it from Judy's mouth. Finally, let me make this clear to Miss Luft once and for all: YOU ARE NOT THE MOST TALENTED PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY. Judy and Liza ARE.
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