A Star Isn't Born, She Worked Her Ass Off!
Why you'll want to listen to Barbra Streisand's memoir
Every month or so, I offer up a recommendation on what I’ve been reading, listening to or watching. Usually, it’s something that prompts my thinking about what I am (un)learning. Or sometimes, it’s just because I think you might love it too.
Hello dear reader and Happy Spring,
📚 🎧 Audio Book: My Name is Barbra Written and Narrated by Barbra Streisand
It’s been awhile since I wrote about what I’m loving and that’s because I was busy listening (and loving) Barbra Streisand’s memoir. The book is the size of a brick, and almost as heavy. And the audio book? It’s over 48 hours of listening to Funny Girl herself explain, laugh, sing and recall with uncanny precision her life, loves, work, movies, singing, friendships, art, architecture, interior decorating, travel, spirituality and everything in between. All while being a working single mom in an industry that couldn’t deny her unlimited talents and drive.
As the only child of a single mother until I was 9-years-old, TV was my constant companion. In the early 70’s Barbra Streisand was always on TV and I fell in love with her. She was my fantasy mother. Funny and self-deprecating, beautiful and exotic and always with a hint of knowing mischief in her eyes and on her unmistakable face. Her confidence made her radiate beauty.
The way she narrates her story is no less entrancing. It was like wrapping a familiar blanket around myself and sinking into her warmth, honesty, humour and feeling like you were getting a massive hug from a woman you’ve admired your whole life. As a woman, especially a working woman with alot of drive and ambition, I felt comfort in knowing I’m not alone.
I was sad when I came to the end of the book. Listening to her tell her stories—with her funny asides and the best part, the musical accompaniments, the snippets from her movies and hit songs through the decades, took me back to my own youth. Her knack for detail means you can picture in your minds eye exactly where she is and what she’s seeing and feeling. As she’s telling us about her films or albums and breaks into song, you literally get swept away in time and space.
Highlights for me:
-Understanding how the early death of her father and the remoteness of her mother drove much of who she became. Seeking out the approval and love of a father that wasn’t there. I could relate.
-How her longtime agent negotiated contracts on her behalf that included final creative approval and a percentage of sales—which was unheard of in those days and likely changed the trajectory of her career—for the better.
-The root cause of what became her lifelong stage fright - a shitty co-star from her very successful stage run of Funny Girl who whispered mean taunts and insults on the stage while they were performing—that only she could hear. Trying to throw her off her performance. What an asshole.
-The snub by the Director’s Guild after her directing debut with Yentl and Prince of Tides.
-Her romance with Canadian Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau. Her attraction to well educated and intelligent men included this dashing, single man, who wanted to marry her. Can you imagine a different universe where she became the ‘first lady’ of Canada?
-My favourite was her meeting and courtship with her husband, the actor James Brolin. A funny tale that only she could tell and so normal and relatable. I love, love stories and I love that she found her true love and trusted companion in the end.
I’ll be savouring this memoir for a long time to come. Thank-you Barbra for sharing your gifts, talents and stories with us. We are richer and much wiser for it.
Keep (un)Learning. KVB. xo
What about you…
Have you read anything great lately?
What’s your favourite Barbra Streisand movie (either as Direcor, actor or both)?
Funny Girl or Disco Inferno era?
One of the first movies I ever saw was Hello, Dolly. I didn't understand much of it, but I remember being enchanted by it.
The Way We Were is my all time favorite. Barbara film.
Funny Girl and The Way We Were 😭 I adored your takeaways from Barbra’s memoir! Super juicy. And I can’t believe I didn’t think about picking this one up in audiobook form…that’s gotta be the only way to consume it! It’s on my list now.