Overview
The internationally acclaimed actress Patricia Neal (1926-2010) was a star on stage, film, and television for more than 60 years. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Alma Brown in Hud, which earned her the 1963 Academy Award for Best Actress.
But there was much more to Neal’s life. She was born in Packard, Kentucky, though she spent most of her childhood in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 1953, Neal wed famed children’s author Roald Dahl, a match that would bring her five children and 30 years of dramatic ups and downs. At the pinnacle of her screen career, Neal suffered a series of strokes which left her in a coma for 21 days, and Variety even ran a headline erroneously stating that she had died. She appeared in several television movie roles in the 1970s and 1980s and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Dramatic TV Movie in 1971 for The Homecoming.
Patricia Neal: An Unquiet Life is the first critical biography detailing the actress’s impressive film career and remarkable personal life. Author Stephen Michael Shearer conducted numerous interviews with Neal, her professional colleagues, and her intimate friends and was given access to the actress’s personal papers. The result is an honest and comprehensive portrait of an accomplished woman who lived her life with determination and bravado.
Review
Patricia Neal was an acclaimed actress with a Golden Globe and an Academy Award under her belt. She was married to the famous author, Roald Dahl. She had several dramatic ups and downs in her life but she still managed to do some amazing accomplishments..
I had never heard of Patricia Neal…I know…GASP! I have probably seen a good bit of her work and just did not realize who she was. I love her tenacity and her intelligence. It is hard to believe all of her life changes. Her life was definitely a challenge. She was full of strength and fortitude!
The only thing holding me back from giving this 5 stars is all of the descriptions of every show, movie, play Patricia was ever in. In my opinion, and it is only my opinion, this could have been left out and just hit the high spots or just give a synopsis of the ones that she won awards for. This made the biography a bit long and tedious in places.
The narrator, Christa Lewis is excellent! I am on the lookout for more books read by her!
Need a good, old Hollywood biography…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Purchase Here
reecaspieces 