Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly
Vanessa Redgrave, a political rebel of the show-business world, has written a straightforward, chronological account of her life. She is a member of the famous Redgrave theater clan (father Michael, mother Rachel, two acting siblings, Lynn and Corin, and her daughter, Natasha Richardson), was married to Tony Richardson, bore Franco Nero a son, pursued a successful acting career and espoused controversial causes. She takes herself extremely seriously, seemingly omitting no detail, which has the curious effect of making her dramatic life feel flat. Born in London in 1937, her earliest memories are of the war and evacuations to the countryside to avoid bombings. The late Michael Redgrave achieved greater stardom in Britain than in the U.S. as both a Shakespearean actor and a film idol. Vanessa, on the other hand, always made headlines on both sides of the Atlantic with her outspoken political views, especially her vociferous support of the Palestinians. She moved back into the cinematic limelight recently with performances in Merchant Ivory films, including Howard's End, but her efforts here to set the record straight politically may have limited appeal for American readers. Photos not seen by PW. (Dec.)
Vanessa Redgrave: An Autobiography
by Vanessa RedgraveView All Available Formats & Editions
"She is the greatest actress of our time," Tennessee Williams said. And not many people would argue with him. Vanessa Redgrave has been acclaimed for her work on the stage and in movies for over thirty years, since her first great success, playing Rosalind in As You Like It at Stratford-upon-Avon. She made the "leap into political life" almost simultaneously, joining… See more details below
Overview
"She is the greatest actress of our time," Tennessee Williams said. And not many people would argue with him. Vanessa Redgrave has been acclaimed for her work on the stage and in movies for over thirty years, since her first great success, playing Rosalind in As You Like It at Stratford-upon-Avon. She made the "leap into political life" almost simultaneously, joining Bertrand Russell in the movement for nuclear disarmament, and her commitment to political activism has been unwavering. As she explains here, these twin passions - for her art and for politics - nurture and feed on each other, providing the two great themes of a truly remarkable life. The Redgrave family has a long history in the theatre, and Vanessa writes thoughtfully and intelligently about her craft. Her grandparents and great-grandparents were actor-managers, writers, and actors. Her father, Michael Redgrave, was the son of an actor who starred in some of the first silent feature films in Australia. Vanessa married the director Tony Richardson, and they had two daughters, the actresses Natasha and Joely Richardson. She had a son, Carlo, with the Italian actor Franco Nero. Redgrave writes movingly of the strain her political activity has put on her family, and of the effect it has had on her career. But she is stalwart in her commitments. Her book is an honest and poignant account of an artist's compassionate, intelligent, brave, and loving engagement with the world.
Editorial Reviews
Library Journal - Library Journal
Redgrave, famous as an actress and sometimes infamous for her political views, tells her side of the story.
Product Details
- ISBN-13:
- 9780517171615
- Publisher:
- Random House Value Publishing, Incorporated
- Publication date:
- 07/12/1997
- Pages:
- 419
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