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5th out of 252 books
—
97 voters
Ava: My Story
by
Ava Gardner
She was called the most irresistible woman in the world. Sultry, tempestuous, and ravishingly beautiful, Ava Gardner lit up the screen in film classics such as Show Boat, The Bible, and The Snows of Kilimanjaro. She romanced Clark Gable in Mogambo and dazzled Humphrey Bogart in The Barefoot Contessa. And all the while her personal life sizzled with as much outright glamour...more
Hardcover, 315 pages
Published
October 1st 1990
by Bantam
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After Elizabeth Taylor's passing I wanted to read about one of the classic screen stars that I was interested in.
I really enjoyed the parts of the book that were about the different loves in her life. Very interesting to learn that such a beauty was a tomboy and never truly believed that she had any actual talent.
Some might not have liked the way that the book was written but I found it came accross as though you were sitting down and having a drink with the star as she told you her side of the...more
I really enjoyed the parts of the book that were about the different loves in her life. Very interesting to learn that such a beauty was a tomboy and never truly believed that she had any actual talent.
Some might not have liked the way that the book was written but I found it came accross as though you were sitting down and having a drink with the star as she told you her side of the...more
Ms. North Carolina is represented by Ava Gardner (1922-1990). She was born on Christmas Eve 1922, in Grabtown North Carolina. She was born under Capricorn; a sign for people that are grounded by truth. She desired no bull outside of Durham.
She moved to California from Norfolk Virginia, married Mickey Rooney, and was asked to lose her Carolina accent. She might have lost the accent but she never lost the Carolina way.
She was wooed by the reclusive Howard Hughes and proved that Southern Girls Ki...more
She moved to California from Norfolk Virginia, married Mickey Rooney, and was asked to lose her Carolina accent. She might have lost the accent but she never lost the Carolina way.
She was wooed by the reclusive Howard Hughes and proved that Southern Girls Ki...more
I loved this book! I actually picked it up because I knew nothing about Ava Gardner, except that she was a film star/sex symbol, and I wanted to find out who she really was. I'm so glad I did! Ava was so funny, endearing, and genuine in her thoughts and actions. This book has it all! I laughed out loud at her stories from childhood on up-it's amazing how cinematic her real life actually was! There were sad and touching moments too and I found her to be relatable in a lot of ways. When she first...more
"Hollywood stars are just not the same anymore, oh the glamour! I liked her writing style, it felt like she was talking directly to me as a confidant. Nice dirt on Howard Hughes. She never really was confident in herself, she never had a chance to be, she was too busy being told, ""just stand there and look beautiful."" Alcohol was a major part of her life, which was sad to read. She and Frank never had a chance, both were too insecure to stay in a relationship. I came away sad from this book be...more
Ava wrote her autobiography by dictating it to her secretary on a tape-recorder. As a result, the book has a very conversational style; it feels as if she was right there talking to you. Her very forthright, earthy language is there too. Some of the facts may have been sanitized to make her look better, but it is still nice to hear her side of the story. The book also includes chapters written by some of her close friends, such as Arlene Dahl, Gregory Peck, and Roddy McDowall.
Ava tells the stor...more
Ava tells the stor...more
The only thing that kept me reading is that I wanted to see how Miss Gardner discussed her three husbands (with affection - she even found nice things to say about Artie Shaw) and how she felt in her older years (frustrated with her health). Now I know, but it was quite a slog to get to that information.
"Ava: My Story" was published posthumously, and clearly her writing style was retained (or, at least, I can only hope a professional writer wasn't responsible for this). It is clunky and full of...more
"Ava: My Story" was published posthumously, and clearly her writing style was retained (or, at least, I can only hope a professional writer wasn't responsible for this). It is clunky and full of...more
Very enjoyable. She was a live wire. And the funny thing is, she apparently never believed that she was a star or really evem that she was beautiful. Although I think someone was telling her how beautiful she was (they were always telling her that) and I think she was in her sixties (she died at 67) and she said "I used to be."
And her husbands and boyfriends ... whoa! Mickey Rooney - the liar. Artie Shaw - wanted to make her into something brilliant. Frank Sinatra - they were the love of each ot...more
And her husbands and boyfriends ... whoa! Mickey Rooney - the liar. Artie Shaw - wanted to make her into something brilliant. Frank Sinatra - they were the love of each ot...more
Wonderful book by a woman who would be the first to admit she wasn't perfect.
It's like you're sitting there having a drink with her. In fact, some parts are like you've had several drinks with her.
I've read it several times.
It's like you're sitting there having a drink with her. In fact, some parts are like you've had several drinks with her.
I've read it several times.
I enjoy autobiographies more than biographies and Ava Gardner's is no exception. She has a great deal to impart, much of it very interesting. She never really puts anyone down, even when they do horrible things to her. It was an informative read.
She is SO not full of herself. Lots of juicy tales about other celebrities. She talks to you in a way that makes you feel like you're conversing. You'll laugh a lot. One of my favorite bios.
Was totally obsessed with this book for a while. A great autobiography. I didn't even know who Ava Gardner was the first time I read it. That says something...
I'm from North Carolina and everytime I pass through Smithfield in Eastern NC, I think how did someone so exotic and lush come from heah?! Hell of a tale.
What is there is interesting - but lots missing. Written after her death based on her notes/tapes. Resented "studio system" trading her out to other studios for much more than she was paid - yet once she was a free agent, she only had one part she liked in "On the Beach" with Gregory Peck.
I dressed up as Ava Gardner in the third grade for my "Famous North Carolinian" project. We had to read an autobiography of a famous person from North Carolina, and I read this. There is a lot of sex and lamp-throwing, but that did not deter me. I was hooked on Gardner, just like Frank Sinatra. This may have something to do with why, as an adult, my concept of romance involves pretending to shoot yourself over the phone so that someone will come to your house and be relieved that you're not dead...more
wow what a life,she was true Hollywood,booze,men,men,booze and BEAUTIFUL
One of Hollywood's most charismatic beauties, Ava Gardner tells her life in her own words. The most interesting parts, for me, were her humble beginnings as the youngest of 7 children born to a South Carolina farmer - who, like many, lost his way during the Great Depression - also her passionate romance with Frank Sinatra, and her bizarre friendship with Howard Hughes (how could it be otherwise?) I have no doubt that Ms Gardner and her co-writers toned down some aspects of her private life, but...more
Vilket underbart enkelt...nej, vilken underbart enkel inställning till livet.
It wasn't all sweetness and light for this gal, but a great story nonetheless.
i really enjoyed learning about her life, and i definitely found out some interesting things. however, some parts of her life seemed to have been left out.
She is absolutely fascinating. Love her!
Ava: My Story by Ava Gardner (1992)
Ava always was a small town girl. The book is spoken by a lady who "told it like it is." I met Ava as child when she came back to our hometown. She was truly beautiful and the books is full of stories that show a woman of courage.
I read this book by mistake. I picked it up thinking she was a different actress but then kept reading. She was a singular sort of person and very honest about her feelings and actions. She took a lot of abuse and dished it out. She died very suddenly before the book was published so they had other people contribute to it -- everyone from Greggory Peck to her maid. I was glad I'd read it.
Pretty good book but I felt that the author (Ava herself) left out a lot of the nitty-gritty. But, still a good read with some eye-opening stuff.
Finally finished it! Since this is an autobiography, it's not being told in 3rd person...these are Ava's own words about her life. She had movie star kind of life, but her personality was just like most average folks. Good read for an Ava fan!
The book is written in a conversational style. Sip a glass of wine or cup of coffee while reading and it feels like your reminiscing with an old friend. She is funny, blunt, and a bit brash, but the stories flow easily and are entertaining.
I know we have our "divas" now, but back the hollywood days they were called "leading ladies," and they were spectacular. I enjoyed reading every word of Ava Gardner's life story, and there's dozens more to read. What lives and lifestyles!
A true autobiography - most all of it self written (just some small chapters from people around her scattered througout). She was a fascinating lady - a true Southern broad.
A beautiful woman and a hell of an affair with Frank Sinatra! This was an interesting read.
My junk food! Good but skips over huge chunks of time, not giving the nitty gritty details...
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Ava Lavinia Gardner was an American actress.
She was signed to a contract by MGM Studios in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers (1946). She became one of Hollywood's leading actresses, considered one of the most beautiful women of her day. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in Mogambo (1953).
She appe...more
More about Ava Gardner...
She was signed to a contract by MGM Studios in 1941 and appeared mainly in small roles until she drew attention with her performance in The Killers (1946). She became one of Hollywood's leading actresses, considered one of the most beautiful women of her day. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in Mogambo (1953).
She appe...more
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“Sex isn't all that important, but it is when you love someone very much.”
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36 people liked it
“Go fuck yourself," I replied, always the lady. "I'm staying here.”
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28 people liked it
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Sep 15, 2010 07:16pm