In Pieces

This memoir by America's sweetheart-turned-acclaimed thespian, Sally Field, differs noticeably from the typical celebrity bio. It is deeper and more thoughtful than what we have come to expect from this genre. Instead of glitz, glamour and funny anecdotes it focuses much more on the challenges she faced dealing with sexual abuse by her stepfather, as well as trying to establish herself as a serious actress.

Another thing that sets this book apart from most autobiographical books is the fact that she virtually skips at least 30 years of her life, glossing over her second marriage, third child and some very memorable films, picking up the story with her efforts to play Mary Todd Lincoln in the 2012 film "Lincoln". This was also a very emotional period for Field, as her mother was dying and some painful issues were being resolved. I understood her choice to focus more on the early years of her career, when she was growing as an actress and establishing a career, but I was a little disappointed that there was so little on the three decades between "Norma Rae" and "Lincoln".

One thing I really admired about this book is how bravely and candidly Field shared her story of abuse and other aspects of her life.

Field avoids presenting herself as a faultless heroine, which is a refreshing departure from the standard celebrity memoir. She owns up mistakes she made in both her personal and professional life and is open about her flaws.

This is an interesting and very revealing read for fans of Sally Field. If you have the chance to listen to the audio version, read by Field herself, it's even better.

In Pieces