She dazzled millions as Gigi. Eliza Doolittle. Holly Golightly. But to her most adoring fan, Audrey Hepburn was best known for her role as "Mummy....
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Aug 15, 2010
Carol
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A beautiful and touching book. Sean Hepburn Ferrer's deep love for his mother is evident on every page. He tells her story with dignity and respect and offers a rare and intimate glimpse into her life. Audrey Hepburn truly was beautiful not only on the outside but also on the inside.
"She really was like those characters you saw in the movies: emotional, courageous, delicate, romantic." (Sean Hepburn Ferrer)
"God kissed her on the cheek and there she w More...
"She really was like those characters you saw in the movies: emotional, courageous, delicate, romantic." (Sean Hepburn Ferrer)
"God kissed her on the cheek and there she w More...
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Jan 26, 2011
Gabrielle
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I have read several biographies about Audrey Hepburn, and this was by far the most touching. Her son tells her life story from her childhood in war-torn Holland to her enormous fame as an actress and her later work as a UNICEF ambassador. The book also contains almost 300 photographs from family albums and various publicity shoots. Audrey's caring spirit is captured not only in the way her son remembers her as a mother but also in the work she did for UNICEF. In reading this, her son's admiratio
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Jan 08, 2010
Elena
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I just finished reading AUDREY HEPBURN, AN ELEGANT SPIRIT which when I received as a birthday gift I thought would merely adorn my coffee table forever and ever. I was terribly mistaken and although the photos are worthy of any coffee table book, it is also a captivating read about a woman who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. The book is a moving testimony of a son about his incomparable and unforgettable mother. Anyone who has lost a beloved parent could not help but be
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Nov 15, 2007
Alice
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If you do not already love her you may after reading this book. Written by her son, it is an intimate yet not intrusive view into who she was to her family and friends. This book allows you in on the incredible person that Audrey Hepburn was, the legacy she has left not only through her unique style but also through her example as a star who used her incredible charisma to improve the lives of countless children through UNICEF.
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Apr 23, 2008
Kirstin
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Audrey Hepburn has held a very special place in my heart for as long as I can remember, and as a result I have read a good amount of the biographies that have been written about her. This one, written by her son Sean, is absolutely the best of the bunch.
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Feb 08, 2011
Dawn
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I have always loved Audrey Hepburn so of course I had to have this book. I grew to admire her even more while reading this book. Audrey's humility and capacity for forgiveness and love is remarkable. I loved how her son related how she refused to sit in first class on a plane. She felt she was no better than anyone else, so why should she sit in first class? Also, her ability to forgive her father and then care for him when he was ailing can be a lesson for all of us about the power of forgivene
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Feb 22, 2010
Samantha
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I read thisbook in less than 2 days. I started it on the way down to see my grandparents. I was on the last 20 pages, with less than 5 minutes of travel left. I had to stop because I found myself silently crying in the backseat of the car. I was so touched by the description that her son gave of the day that she died. It brought back the memories of my own grandmothers passing. I felt like I was reading the transcript of that day. The entire book was full of beautiful pictures of Audrey and her
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Jul 28, 2010
Brandon
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I love people people like this. I have been recently been looking up Audrey Hepburn and I think this was a wonderful tribute to the woman, humanitarian, mother, actress etc. I recently lost my grandmother, who was also my best friend, and this book really hit home with comments made by the author who also is the son of Audrey Hepburn. I strive to live by the words made by people like her. The pictures, the biography, the humanitarian side, the sons comments are all wonderful. I thank Sean F
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Jun 12, 2011
Sharon
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Such a beautiful, touching, well presented and intimate memoir. Written by her son, and describing her life from the childhood struggles she endured through the war, her famous films to her charity work in Somalia with UNICEF before her death, Audrey is portrayed exactly as she has been remembered, as an inspiration to us all. Containing everything from personal family photos, passport photos, letters, speeches and childhood drawings this took me into her life, made me cry at times and left me m
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Dec 21, 2011
Melissa
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She’s been well loved for years. Whether it be through her work on the dance floor, her grace behind the camera, her compassion for impoverished children all over the world, or her permanent print in the fashion industry, Audrey Hepburn has, at one time or another, touched all our hearts.
In this beautiful and poetic dedication to his beloved mother, Audrey’s son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, fondly remembers a woman not many people knew…Sure we all remember Audrey from Breakfast at Tiffany’ More...
In this beautiful and poetic dedication to his beloved mother, Audrey’s son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, fondly remembers a woman not many people knew…Sure we all remember Audrey from Breakfast at Tiffany’ More...
Apr 07, 2010
Heather
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I'm glad this isn't the first biography I read about her because I think I appreciated it more since I already had a working knowledge of the basics (dates, events, etc.). The purpose of this book wasn't to give a detailed biography, rather to afford greater insight into AH's personality and character. In that respect, it was a great success. There are also lots of wonderful photos in this book that you won't find elsewhere (though the captions are sometimes a bit confusing--sometimes multiple c
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Nov 21, 2008
Wendi
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I found only one drawback to this book and it certainly wasn't enough to make me drop a star. As other reviewers have noted, Sean, Audrey's son, is the only one who could have written this book with such love and intimacy. I truly don't have any interest in reading any other biographies about Audrey (I do have one other but it's mostly pictoral) since they wouldn't have the same intimacy and truth. However - and it is truly difficult to impart this criticism as he writes with such love and devot
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Sep 30, 2009
Bethany
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I just wanted to shout at her son "get on with the story and stop talking about what you thought/said/did prior to deciding to write the book!!" Seriously, he spoke so much about his idea to write a book about his mother, that half the book was about that- and not about his mother. :/ His stories were all out of chronological order as well, which drove me crazy (as anyone who's ever read my blog knows).
That said, there were a few interesting personal stories about Audrey, More...
That said, there were a few interesting personal stories about Audrey, More...
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Aug 25, 2009
This book had a good deal of photos along with an overview of Hepburn's life by her son. It is a pretty interesting read - she oozes class. She was very humble especially for someone of her position. She loved people, especially children. She boiled life down to love - to love people and the experience of life fully, live simply but well. She almost seems to good to be true.
Jul 11, 2011
Lady
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I read Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit last night. It is a sweet book by her older son who wrote it after his mother's death. My favorite quote of hers from the book is a statement she made when explaining why she stopped acting so that she could be with her sons: "Like all mothers, I am crazy about my two boys." This spoke straight to my heart.
Oct 12, 2011
Lisa
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A lovely tribute to his mom, this book seemed like a very haphazard compilation of thoughts. It jumped around, though I enjoyed his memories and tales. His description of her last few weeks was very moving. She was a great lady and I liked getting a few peeks into her life, I just didn't think the book flowed well.
Aug 10, 2011
Caroline
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After not having known much about Audrey Hepburn, I have truly come to admire her since reading this book. While the reader cannot help but wonder if the writer is biased (his being her son and all), but the unique and heartfelt anecdotes paint a picture of a truly remarkable lady. I can't wait to read my next Audrey-biography!
Aug 06, 2009
~*mandy*~
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reading a biography written by someone's child is the most beautiful and insightful way to read. there was so much personal information instead of the straight facts. Sean also made his mother's love for her work with UNICEF well known, and promoted it himself.
i loved this book. it was heartwarming and touching in every way.
i loved this book. it was heartwarming and touching in every way.
Apr 15, 2011
Rachel
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A beautiful tribute to a beautiful soul. Once just my personal style icon, Miss Hepburn is now a role model. Sean truly admired and loved his mother, as evident from every word he used. The pictures were perfect - truly a glimpse into the beautifully told intimate look at a woman who continues to inspire many.
Aug 13, 2010
Kaylyn
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This was a beautiful story about one of my biggest inspirations. Sean did an amazing job letting the reader truly feel as though they knew her. I cried during the description of her time of death. What an amazing book!
Jan 26, 2011
Jellybean
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You can tell from the way that he writes how much he loves his mother. It's very sweet. All the amazing photographs in this book are one of the things that made it so great. What a beautiful tribute he made to his mother, an amazing woman.
Aug 03, 2011
What a lovley lovley lady, and what a gem of a book, lots of photos and written with a lot of love by her son.Read it when you want to restore your faith in the human spirit.
Apr 08, 2011
Jennifer
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I absolutely loved this book. It was one of the most sincere books that i've read. I've read many hepburn biographies and I must say this one is my favourite. A great read for any Audrey Hepburn fan!
Sep 20, 2010
Katie
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So endearing to learn the life a wonderful woman through the eyes of a son. a woman we wish we knew is conveyed to us through one who loved her most. Absolutely exquisite.
Jun 02, 2009
Bird Brian
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Audrey Hepburn was timelessly lovely, and a gentle spirit like we'll never see again, but her son can't write. Generous pictures of divine Audrey in her off-stage life (rather than movie stills, which overfill most books about her) save the book from Sean's mediocre-at-best narration. To give you a sample of what I'm talking about, check out page 104, which features a picture of Audrey late in pregnancy, and Sean's inane comment "There I am- in her tummy." I'm sure Mr Ferrer is a nice
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Apr 17, 2009
Julie
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Beautiful photos, and touching memories written by her son. It didn't focus on the "Hollywood" aspect of her life as most biographers would do.
Jul 11, 2009
Melissa
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The most beautiful Audrey Hepburn book out there, not only for the many photos, but also for the loving tribute to her from her son, Sean.
Oct 13, 2011
Holly
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I didn't think I'd be as touched or relate as much as I did to this book. A beautiful story about a beautiful person, inside and out.
Sep 20, 2011
Danica Page (One Page at a Time)
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It's about Adurey Hepburn...duh? Of course I love it. I love Audrey Hepburn and ahve read two books about her.
A great woman.
A great woman.
Jul 31, 2011
Adored every word in this book! What an amazing woman, life, and spirit. A definate must read for all Audrey Hepburn fans!
