Diane Keaton is one of those stars we can relate to. She is funny, quirky (think Annie Hall), and down-to-earth with her stories of growing up in LA with down-to-earth parents. Her self-deprecatory conversational style kept me turning the pages. The writing style swept across time in a non-linear fashion.
Despite her somewhat ordinary beginnings, her life has been extraordinary, with her success in films, and her talent in photography. Interior design is another talent, and the homes she has bought, renovated, and sold are many.
In her older years, she adopted her daughter Dexter…and then her son Duke, so in her sixties, she has teenage children. I would call her brave.
Some of my favorite chapters in Let’s Just Say It Wasn’t Pretty were those dealing with aspirations for beauty, when everything she saw in the mirror felt flawed; and “bad hair days” when she bemoans the thinning hair that was always a challenge. I liked her attitude about being true to yourself, and not worrying about what others think. Her view on aging and reaching the end of our time felt practical, philosophical, and not morose.
I also loved how she is still great friends with many of her co-stars, like Jack Nicholson and Woody Allen. Al Pacino is one she describes as a love she aspired to marry, but didn’t.
Some of the scenes with her kids were also fun, showing the readers (and fans) that she, too, gets impatient and has to remind herself that she has many blessings.
A delightful read that covered a lot of territory in a few pages, I will save this one for a reread…of some of the sections, at least. 4.5 stars.
Nice review, you have me curious about this one 😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sam, glad you could stop by. I enjoyed this book!
LikeLike
It sounds as though you found lots to relate to in this biography Laurel. I prefer stars who are ‘true to themselves’ too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting, Cleo, and I definitely enjoy this star. Her quirky style makes her fun and relatable to me.
LikeLike
I haven’t read her books but she does sound pretty down-to-earth and I like many of her movies. Her slew of star boyfriends is amazing. Did she go out with Sam Shepard once too? I didn’t know about that. She must have had a stable full of these guys …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, she definitely had her share of hot guys…lol. I got the sense from things I’ve read, including this book, that Al Pacino was the one for her. Thanks for stopping by, Susan.
LikeLike
Pingback: HUMP DAY READING: CURRENT, PAST, & FUTURE READING – SERENDIPITY
Pingback: BOOKISH THURSDAY #35: SERENDIPITOUS MOMENTS – SERENDIPITY