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Jane Fonda: The Private Life of a Public Woman
Bosworth goes behind the image of an American superwoman, revealing Jane Fonda—more powerful and vulnerable than ever expected—whose struggles for high achievement, love, and successful motherhood mirror the conflicts of a generation of women.
In the hands of this seasoned, tenacious biographer, the evolution of one of the century’s most controversial and successful women b...more
In the hands of this seasoned, tenacious biographer, the evolution of one of the century’s most controversial and successful women b...more
Hardcover, 608 pages
Published
August 30th 2011
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published September 1st 2006)
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Patricia Bosworth has definitely done her homework in this well-written and researched book about Jane Fonda. Bosworth has delved into the psychological aspects of Fonda's life and written not only about her acting and activist careers but her insecurities and foibles.
Jane Fonda's childhood was not the privileged one the public thinks a child of a famous actor (Henry Fonda) would have but one full of determination to please her cold, unemotional father and rejection of her mother. Her mother com...more
Jane Fonda's childhood was not the privileged one the public thinks a child of a famous actor (Henry Fonda) would have but one full of determination to please her cold, unemotional father and rejection of her mother. Her mother com...more
Excellent biography about one of the best actresses of the 60s, a trailblazer and perpetual truth seeker who redefined stardom, especially for women. To Jane, it was never enough just to be a famous actress, though it was hard enough to achieve that, even with Henry Fonda for a father; once her consciousness was raised (in her late 20s, as it was with many of her generation), she had a burning desire to change the world in an era of revolution and political chaos.
Like the author of this book, I...more
Like the author of this book, I...more
Jane closely resembled her father, in personality and physicality. Her long-term bulimia was both a product of her Hollywood existence and her desire to look more like him. She has assumed a more traditionally male role in her life — she was away from home a lot, relegating the raising of her kids to others, finally wanting to reconnect with family in her 60s, when her many careers were on the back-burner.
On the surface her story reads like the evolution of a feminist, and Jane did live through...more
On the surface her story reads like the evolution of a feminist, and Jane did live through...more
Not too much new--spoiled, rich kid with all kinds of hang-ups and a sense of entitlement. I liked her as an actress--the Jennifer Aniston of her day, cute perky and sometimes miscast in something heavier or emptier. Personal life hedonistic with all kinds of excuses: she was young, she let men dominate her because of a father fixation, she was driven. Bottom line she is self-centered,headstrong and not very bright in a lot of ways. A follower, not particularly a leader. Not surprised. Certainly...more
This book went into a little too much detail for me. (But then oddly it rushes through the time period Jane Fonda was married to Ted Turner.) Probably the most interesting part was about her trip to Vietnam and how she posed with the guns.
I read this book thinking that Jane Fonda seems very generous and intelligent, but quite gullible. And in some ways she is very business savvy, but lacks common sense. Her daughter, Vanessa, agrees with me. There is a quote in the book where she says her mom i...more
I read this book thinking that Jane Fonda seems very generous and intelligent, but quite gullible. And in some ways she is very business savvy, but lacks common sense. Her daughter, Vanessa, agrees with me. There is a quote in the book where she says her mom i...more
Bosworth covers Jane's life well except for her non-acting period in the 1990s and early 2000s, which left me wanting a bit more. The book does go deeper than Fonda's autobiography of 2005, with observations and insights from a variety of sources. If you like Jane Fonda you will probably like the book. I like her honesty, which she takes too far at times, if you think that is possible. She is one of the least devious people I can imagine, which can be endearing or maddening depending on your vie...more
It took me awhile but at 2:18 A.M. I finally finished Jane Fonda: The Private Life of a Public Woman by Patricia Bosworth. It's a very thick book. I thought I would be able to finish it sooner, but life hit me. Having said that, this book is awesome. When it was all over I learned TOO much about Jane Fonda's sex life. While I'm reading it, I'm wondering when did this woman have time to act?
I've seen one of her movies, Nine to Five, and that was the extent of my Jane Fonda knowledge. I had heard...more
I've seen one of her movies, Nine to Five, and that was the extent of my Jane Fonda knowledge. I had heard...more
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A good biography about a woman who I myself have misunderstood and to whom I identified myself with by the nd, even though I've had one marriage, and she's had several. She was a decade or so ahead of me and in a very public sphere, but otherwise, in terms of feelings about our times, we as women trying to find our place in the midst of insecurity and societal expectations had/have so much in common.
Interesting independent of what you might think of Jane Fonda going into the book. Personally, I had mildly negative feelings about her going into the book and finished it more sympathetic. Depressing to realize even such a strong and financially independent woman could be in so many humiliating relationships. Book could have been half the size as redundant and slow at times.
Apparently it took Patricia Bosworth 10 years to research and write so it is quite thorough. I knew bits and pieces of Fonda's life and had heard some heated denunciations of her. It was good to find out for myself. The book didn't shy away from controversy and gave me a new appreciation for her.
Patricia Bosworth goes behind the scenes on the life of a very public woman, a woman one could think knows everything about, since she´s been for over 6 decades a famous person, and for over five decades THE Famous woman.
Complete Review here http://seriesandtv.com/jane-fonda-the...
Complete Review here http://seriesandtv.com/jane-fonda-the...
Bosworth really did her homework on Fonda. It was exciting to read about all the people she's been involved with, all her major life changes, etc. Jane Fonda is an icon.
This is a fascinating historical account of Jane's life and the times she grew up in. I am just at the point in her story where she is with her soon to be husband Vadim and all his intellectual friends in Paris who are critical of the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, and I can see how she got pulled into that way of thinking and didn't realize how her later actions (going to N. Vietnam etc.) would be perceived by many Americans who hated her after that and ended up labeling her Hanoi Jane.
a huge surprise for someone not a big fan. Candid, funny and detailed, it tells a story of a political evolution as much as it does a story of a great actress.
I flew through this book. Have always loved Jane Fonda, such an interesting life.
This lady has had some sexy escapades! Overall an enjoyable read.
Bosworth does a good job of making a fairly familiar story seem new-ish. The end(where Fonda is now in her life) feels incomplete and too short, but maybe that's inevitable when your subject is still alive. But fascinating insight into the Fonda family early on.
It was well written. I didn't realize Jane Fonda was such a flawed individual.
She certainly has had many demons to confront throughout life.
She certainly has had many demons to confront throughout life.
Very good book - well written and interesting. I am not a Jane Fonda fan, per se, which is probably why I didn't LOVE the book. That said, she is a fascinating woman.
Up and down.
Fascinating. Interesting that most of the stuff I had been told about her was a fabrication by Nixon and his advisors.
Well-written and researched bio on a woman who has played many different roles in her life, both on the screen and in real life.
Interesting read. Can't get through it right now. I've got too many delish novels waiting for me.
Poor little rich girl!
Jun 15, 2013
Nancy
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