Celebrity memoirs
From the Elephant to Hollywood by Michael Caine
Bossypants by Tina Fey
My Name Escapes Me by Alec Guiness
Let me clarify – I am not one to pick up any book written by a celebrity. I am not interested in tales of conquests, false modesty, “I have no regrets – my experiences have made me the person I am today.” I do not want to read anything vapid, fake, self-congratulating, surface-skimming. I like celebrities who have wit, are self-effacing with honest senses of humor about themselves, hard-working – but most of all, have a talent for writing. I have found three this past year that I really enjoyed, one of which I adored.
I love Michael Caine. He is one of my favorite actors and I have to admire any man who has been married to the same woman for 40+ years, especially in his line of work. His memoir is fun, honest, packed with stories of other actors I like – all while written well and very tongue-in-cheek. He relays stories that show him in a great light and stories that would be embarrassing if he were not so comfortable with himself. It is filled with stories of his upbringing from the Elephant, his neighborhood in England, to his current resurgence in the Batman movies (which I really like). It is not time-consuming or mind-taxing – it is just entertaining. I thoroughly enjoyed From the Elephant to Hollywood.
Who doesn’t like Tina Fey – come on! (David says I should go as her for Halloween.) Her Bossypants has gotten a lot of attention over the last few months and understandably so. It is not a biography; just stories from her childhood to present that tell her story and how they shaped her. I heard her say it is not a memoir as her life as a whole is not very interesting, but she has a good stories from time to time. They are hilarious, a bit stronger language than one is used to hearing from her on “30 Rock” or “Saturday Night Live,” and show she is smart, witty and has an amazingly accurate view of herself – which makes her all the more smart and witty and likeable. One of my favorites: "
My favorite of the bunch is My Name Escapes Me: The Diary of a Retiring Actor by Alec Guiness. This book is his diary as he slows down in his career, so there are several days with no entries and then the entries are everything from dinner plans, memories of friends who recently passed away, his life with his wife whom he adores, and frustrations with fans who only know him from “Star Wars” (he isn’t arrogant about it, but it just never ends). (Personally, my favorite Guiness role is the butler in “Murder by Death” -- great cast and amazingly funny movie.) He is very honest about how he is aging, getting slower, all the while appreciative of the life he has led. He is charming. He reflects on life and aging with his wife of 60+ years, Merula. He often writes about her and with great love. Regarding the birth of their only child, he writes: “Merula had a rather beastly time and was very cross about the whole experience for quite a few days.”
I would love a dinner with any of these people – alas, Alec Guiness has passed, but I read (and reread) the book and continue to enjoy him. (Locals – they are all on my shelf if you wish to borrow them.)