Rating: 
Summary: A life in turmoil
Review: "Vivien" is proof positive that there can be a well-written, well-researched, realistic yet understanding biography of a messed-up star. This book could have been a sordid tangle of tabloid sensationalism, but Alexander Walker carefully crafts it into a tapestry.Vivien Leigh was one of the most memorable actresses of the twentieth century, playing the headstrong Scarlett O'Hara. Yet Vivien was not as strong or indomitable as she appeared onscreen. The book starts with a poetic interlude during a peaceful time in her life, with several guests attending a dinner, then shifts back to her girlhood. Her first marriage fell as her fame rose, and she soon met the man she would fall in love with, her also-married costar Lawrence Olivier. But Vivien's life, despite her fame and idyllic life, was never a happy woman, her mental problems plaguing her to the end of her life. Very few authors are able to strike a balance between admiration and reality; they'll either idolize the object of their biography, or pour vitriol on them. Walker does neither. While he acknowledges Vivien's faults, he also seems to care about her and her struggles. Nothing could more poignantly convey Vivien's pain than when she shrieked at a nurse, "I'm not Scarlett, I'm Blanche!" (Blanche being a character she played who went mad). Vivien herself is a vivid presence from the first pages onward. Her struggles with mental illness are done with great delicacy, as is her relationship with Olivier. He himself is almost as strong a presence, even though he ultimately could not stay with her; another impressive real-life presence is Jack Merivale, the understanding younger man who remained with her until her untimely death. The scene where Merivale brings Olivier to his dead ex-wife's beside is another extremely effective anecdote. The writing style is lush for a biography. Quite uniquely, there is also a lot of focus on Vivien's movies as well as her personal life, especially her dogged pursuit of roles that she desperately wanted to play. The pictures are well-suited for this book -- they're clear, elegant, well-laid out, relevant to the different parts of Vivien's life, and balanced well between her on-screen roles and her personal life. Walker keeps these pictures of her roles grounded by mentioning what was going on in Vivien's life while she filmed the movie. Alexander Walker's biography of Vivien Leigh is a treasure for all of her fans. Without being sordid ior adoring, he creates a believable biography about a troubled, talented and passionate actress. Outstanding read.
Rating: 
Summary: a tad disappointing
Review: As a fan of Vivien Leigh, I was hoping for a biography that would delve more into her personal life. Instead, it dragged with pages and pages dedicated to mostly her career. However, if you can breeze through the boring parts, the rest is worth it.
Rating:
Summary: THE LIFE OF VIVIEN LEIGH
Review: As intriguing, complex and mysteriously serene as the woman it celebrates, Alexander Walker's "Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh" is the capital biography that the beloved actress has long deserved. Known for her breathtaking work in the films "Gone With the Wind" and "A Streetcar Named Desire", Walker's story reveals a woman who was, in essence, both Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche DuBois: a charming, stubborn, headstrong woman and fragile, uncertain human being. Leigh's story is chronicled from her early childhood years in India, to the pretty young girl who passionately desired to be an actress, to the woman who left a husband and child to court Laurence Olivier, to the movie star that the world fell in love with. Leigh's success as a Hollywood actress and storybook romance with Olivier would prove temporarily satisfying for a woman who craved more than she had: more love, more adoration, to be more sure of herself... and both would become catalysts in the snapping of her delicate mental balance. Leigh's fragile state of mind bewildered the husband whom she lived for, and the costars who could never speak more fondly of her. Ultimately, Leigh seems never to have had the security that she so desperately wanted, but somehow managed to make it as long as she did. And the book reveals a lighter side of Leigh, an intellectual, witty lady who was charming and indeed beautiful to many who knew her, and could also have a very tart sense of humor when it suited her. She was an actress always expanding her range, from London melodramas to Hollywood epics to Broadway musicals. Yet through it all, Leigh retained her quiet dignity and serenity until the day she died, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of films, appearances, and memories... shared for the first time in this extraordinary, meticulously researched biography, which perfectly captures the essence of the woman who was Vivien Leigh, the woman, Vivien Leigh, the movie star, and Vivien Leigh, the human being. As enchanting and unforgettable as Leigh herself, "Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh" will be enjoyed and savored by those touched by Leigh's talent and who will always love her.
Rating:
Summary: THE LIFE OF VIVIEN LEIGH
Review: As intriguing, complex and mysteriously serene as the woman it celebrates, Alexander Walker's "Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh" is the capital biography that the beloved actress has long deserved. Known for her breathtaking work in the films "Gone With the Wind" and "A Streetcar Named Desire", Walker's story reveals a woman who was, in essence, both Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche DuBois: a charming, stubborn, headstrong woman and fragile, uncertain human being. Leigh's story is chronicled from her early childhood years in India, to the pretty young girl who passionately desired to be an actress, to the woman who left a husband and child to court Laurence Olivier, to the movie star that the world fell in love with. Leigh's success as a Hollywood actress and storybook romance with Olivier would prove temporarily satisfying for a woman who craved more than she had: more love, more adoration, to be more sure of herself... and both would become catalysts in the snapping of her delicate mental balance. Leigh's fragile state of mind bewildered the husband whom she lived for, and the costars who could never speak more fondly of her. Ultimately, Leigh seems never to have had the security that she so desperately wanted, but somehow managed to make it as long as she did. And the book reveals a lighter side of Leigh, an intellectual, witty lady who was charming and indeed beautiful to many who knew her, and could also have a very tart sense of humor when it suited her. She was an actress always expanding her range, from London melodramas to Hollywood epics to Broadway musicals. Yet through it all, Leigh retained her quiet dignity and serenity until the day she died, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of films, appearances, and memories... shared for the first time in this extraordinary, meticulously researched biography, which perfectly captures the essence of the woman who was Vivien Leigh, the woman, Vivien Leigh, the movie star, and Vivien Leigh, the human being. As enchanting and unforgettable as Leigh herself, "Vivien: The Life of Vivien Leigh" will be enjoyed and savored by those touched by Leigh's talent and who will always love her.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for All Vivien Leigh Fans
Review: Even though this actress is known to the world from her role as Scarlet O'Hara, many do not know the woman behind the role. This biography does an excellent job of giving her fans a chance to know who she was. I would recommend this to both Vivien Leigh fans and anyone who enjoys a good book. Her life even though not always a fairy tale, was very interesting and Alexander Walker hold the readers attention with ease.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read for All Vivien Leigh Fans
Review: Even though this actress is known to the world from her role as Scarlet O'Hara, many do not know the woman behind the role. This biography does an excellent job of giving her fans a chance to know who she was. I would recommend this to both Vivien Leigh fans and anyone who enjoys a good book. Her life even though not always a fairy tale, was very interesting and Alexander Walker hold the readers attention with ease.
Rating:
Summary: More than Scarlett
Review: Extrordinary biography on a very interesting person. I've read many books on famous actors and this is one of my favorites. Vivien was a very driven, kind, and beautiful person that was haunted by many adversities untill her untimley death from tuberculosis.
Rating:
Summary: Deserves more than one five star review!
Review: I would like to add to the glowing review beneath by saying this is the finest biography I have read on anyone. I couldn't fault the meticulous research, the crafted stucture or the intensely readable style. I first read a copy from the library and immediately had to own it - thank you Amazon for making it available. Vivien Leigh never fails to fascinate and intrigue. She had a bewitching beauty and struggled with a heartbreaking mental illness whilst giving her finest performances, making me admire her all the more. A must read.
Rating: 
Summary: Vivien Leigh Was Too Vibrant For A Book This Dull!
Review: This book drags on and on for pages and is written in a fussy style that gets irritating after awhile. No gossip, no juicy tidbits, devotes too much time to her stage career and tells nothing of interest about the most beautiful actress the screen has ever known. The author repeatedly reminds the reader about Vivien's fondness for gin and tonics, and believe me, you WILL need a few to get through this.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent biography!
Review: This is without a doubt the definitive biography of the gorgeous and extremely talented Vivien Leigh. This book chronicles her life and the experiences that shaped her as a person as well as an actress. This book follows Vivien from her birth in India through her passionate romance with Laurence Olivier, the stage and screen roles that made her a star, all the way to the final and turbulent years of her life. She was indeed an intelligent and strong willed woman. Alexander walker does an excellent job of presenting the life of one of the most talented and breathtaking actresses Hollywood has ever known. This book is poignant, interesting, tasteful and highly recommended! Once you start reading it, you'll have an impossible time putting it down.
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