I had enjoyed Walker's biography of Audrey so much that I decided to read another. The topic for my paper hadn't hit me yet- I knew I wanted it to be on Audrey, but I didn't know what to focus it on, her life story is magnificent and dignified, and it was hard to choose just one thing. Hoping that I would find a "spark" of sorts to my research, I picked up another biographical account of Miss Hepburn, written by Ian Woodward, it was entitled, Audrey Hepburn: Fair Lady of the Screen.
The plot of the book was just as any other biography and held the same information as the one by Walker. Chronicling the treacherous and then triumphant life of Audrey, Woodward divided her story into four parts; her early life and the war, her times as a young ballerina and first tastes of film, the stardom that came and finally her life as a mother and then UNICEF ambassador. Although providing several informative pages on WWll and Audrey's experiences, I found Walker's recounter of it to be more striking and insightful. However, after re-reading similar information on Audrey and a war torn Europe, I began to understand and realize the magnitude of influence it had on her. Tracing through the events of an iconic life, Woodward explained the family troubles she had early on, and how a young ballerina found her voice and spotlight, as well as what happened when fame hit. Woodward truly explained who Hepburn was on set and to other colleagues, and depicted how quickly a woman of mere twenties rose so highly in fame and popularity. Woodward also touched on the two spouses she had and the marriage difficulties that occurred, which remained surprisingly private ( a stark contrast from today's celebrity relationships). The last part of four talked about the motherhood and other diversions that happened on the tail-end of a tremendously successful career.
Because of having read another biography directly before reading this one made it feel boring-mostly due to the fact that I had Just heard the story before. Regardless of that, Woodward was able to take an iconic person and include only the information that was both amazing and important. It did seem to drag out a little towards the end, but otherwise it had great elements to it that made it an enjoyable read. Woodward included a special preface and a page of quotes of Hepburn on herself. This was quite an interesting way to start, and set up an atmosphere in which we know Audrey as a friend, and understand her as a human being, not as an actress. Woodward also gave more information as to the way Audrey was around others and the way they were around her. Adored. In one word, Audrey was adored. Adored and appreciated for her work, her skills and her class. Although reading yet another biography where the information was almost exactly the same was boring, a new found idea had been brought to mind and my love and curiosity for Audrey plunged me again into her world, a world I wanted to see and understand.
The plot of the book was just as any other biography and held the same information as the one by Walker. Chronicling the treacherous and then triumphant life of Audrey, Woodward divided her story into four parts; her early life and the war, her times as a young ballerina and first tastes of film, the stardom that came and finally her life as a mother and then UNICEF ambassador. Although providing several informative pages on WWll and Audrey's experiences, I found Walker's recounter of it to be more striking and insightful. However, after re-reading similar information on Audrey and a war torn Europe, I began to understand and realize the magnitude of influence it had on her. Tracing through the events of an iconic life, Woodward explained the family troubles she had early on, and how a young ballerina found her voice and spotlight, as well as what happened when fame hit. Woodward truly explained who Hepburn was on set and to other colleagues, and depicted how quickly a woman of mere twenties rose so highly in fame and popularity. Woodward also touched on the two spouses she had and the marriage difficulties that occurred, which remained surprisingly private ( a stark contrast from today's celebrity relationships). The last part of four talked about the motherhood and other diversions that happened on the tail-end of a tremendously successful career.
Because of having read another biography directly before reading this one made it feel boring-mostly due to the fact that I had Just heard the story before. Regardless of that, Woodward was able to take an iconic person and include only the information that was both amazing and important. It did seem to drag out a little towards the end, but otherwise it had great elements to it that made it an enjoyable read. Woodward included a special preface and a page of quotes of Hepburn on herself. This was quite an interesting way to start, and set up an atmosphere in which we know Audrey as a friend, and understand her as a human being, not as an actress. Woodward also gave more information as to the way Audrey was around others and the way they were around her. Adored. In one word, Audrey was adored. Adored and appreciated for her work, her skills and her class. Although reading yet another biography where the information was almost exactly the same was boring, a new found idea had been brought to mind and my love and curiosity for Audrey plunged me again into her world, a world I wanted to see and understand.