Hart Strings

by Julie Hart

Being married is one thing, but being married to Bret “Hitman” Hart—former five-time World Wrestling Entertainment Champion—is another. In her vibrant and honest memoir, Hart’s ex-wife and the mother of his four children chronicles the ups and downs of balancing life with a superstar husband in the circus world of professional wrestling. Beginning with Julie’s teen years and early romance with Bret, the story follows the couple’s marriage, children, divorce, and continued presence in each other’s lives, culminating in Julie’s growing role as one of the new matriarchs of the ever-expanding Hart family in Calgary. Vividly detailed and humorous, this authentic account of Julie’s life as an individual, wife, mother, sister, and friend is told by, quite arguably, the Hitman’s toughest opponent and greatest ally of all time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Sports

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Crystal Friars · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to read but I can see why Julie had to get her point of view across. To me, this book seems like an abridged journal entry and I would have like more detail. The Hart family is high dysfunctional and this is not the first time that I have read about this. However, it does shatter your childhood ideals when you read about how low your hero goes.

[Addicted to Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Julie has a story to tell but I wished she had hired a better editor who could have advised her on how she could have successfully structured and expanded the book!

[Sarah Daigen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a tough read for fans of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and offers a counterpoint to his critically acclaimed autobiography of a few years ago. Put together, both Hart autobios provide a snapshot of an incredibly volatile marriage that probably went on years past its expiration date.

I don't want to question the veracity of some of Julie's allegations in this book; wrestling is an industry in which it is no surprise 'not everything is as it seems', and it's not like Bret paints himself as an angel in his own autobiography. But - and especially if this tell-all IS true - this book would have benefited from more accurate date-checking etc. as there are several factual errors that would lead those immediately inclined to side with their 'hero' the wrestler to question her claims. I don't necessarily, except to the extent we all have a side and a perspective, but at a short 155 pages which I finished in 2 hours, with several noticeable (though small) factual errors and several egregious typos, this book - which I think is important to those who follow 'the biz' and on that score should very much be taken seriously - will struggle, I fear,for credibility, especially in light of its opposing, well-written and considered, detail-filled opposite on Bret's end.

Bottom line: not that this is completely poorly written, or that even if it was, I would dispute that the inability to put things beautifully into words automatically means 'untrue' ... but I don't think Julie's editors did her story any service with the shoddy editing - while I can give both her and/or Bret the benefit of the doubt, it feels like she deserved more support in this effort when facing off with such a beloved, larger-than-life figure. His smooth writing and probably a strong hand at the editor's desk are going to make his story more 'sellable', while her short, poorly edited work is going to build the perception of the bitter ex out for revenge and a buck - which I don't think is true, and I regret her case being hurt by that potential perception.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a horrible bunch of people. This book is designed to garner sympathy for Julie but, instead, shows how well suited she and Bret actually are. Both are narcissistic, arrogant and selfish people who think nothing of rolling through life destroying everyone and everything en route.

The sad part of all of this is that millions of people idolise the image put forward when the reality is just grubby.

[Michael Law · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look behind-the-scenes of the other half of the story

this was an interesting look at the other half of this story. I've watched wrestling with shadows several times over the years and was interested in reading Julie Hart's take on the events that transpired. I would recommend to those who have seen wrestling with shadows or who have read Bret's biography.

[Steven Spoelstra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't write this book off. Julie writes a not bad memoir here. Get it at the library. Not worth owning.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm, it was interesting but seemed a bit rushed. I feel like her story deserved more time (pages).

[MINDY · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like Julie's book. It's a very easy, quick read, but also a very sad one.

I had recently read Bret Hart's autobiography, and loved his book, but at times was left scratching my head with regards to his marital/family details, or lack there of. After reading Julie's book many of those questions were answered, however, her book seemed a bit disjointed, and lacking details too. I only wish there were some happy stories thrown in, but maybe she doesn't have any to tell.

I'm not going to lie, part of me wishes I hadn't read it, as I will never look at her ex the same way I had prior, but I know there's two sides to every story, and Julie's words rang true. My heart went out to her. Abuse of any kind, no matter where it comes or stems from is totally unacceptable, and despicable.

Bret the Hitman Hart may have been the best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be in the wrestling ring, but Bret Sergeant Hart was not in the marital ring.

I'm happy Julie was finally able to move on and now lives her own life surrounded by the love of her kids, and grandkids.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Hart Strings" is the memoir of Julie Hart, first wife of the famous wrestler Bret "Hitman" Hart.

What's good: The book gives an interesting glimpse of what happens in a wrestler's life beyond the TV screens.

What's iffier: The writing is weak. It's clear from the first pages that this relationship is terrible, which gives us, the reader, little reason to want to stick around for the rest of the book. It's also unclear why the writer wanted to share this book, in fact--on the one hand, she makes it clear that Bret Hart was a terrible husband and a pathetic father. On the other, she admits her own role in keeping a toxic relationship going. Finally, if you're reading this book to find out more about the Hart family, or the actual granular details about the wrestling life, you're not going to find it here--there are glimpses behind the curtain, but glimpses only. The author does seem to have found her footing on her own as a single woman, and I give her credit for that, but it would have been better if the book had been shaped by an editor's hands to help emphasize that.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many errors. Paper-per-view instead of pay-per-view. Bret was tried, instead of tired. When a friend called her Julia, was that an error? No idea

I also found certain things are glossed over. I understand she's not really focusing on wrestling, but there was one page about the Montreal screwjob, not much else about Wrestling With Shadows, Owen Hart, etc.

The timeline was also tough to follow. I had no idea of the ages of their kids are certain points, for example.

[Katryna Lemaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her book in my opinion is better than Bret's book because she's honest on everything she went through while he acted like she was just insane while he was always gone and cheating on her.

[Jeff Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read I jumped into after finishing up Bret Harts book. I think reading it just after I finished the book helped reinforce some feelings I had about Bret's book. I was a bit disappointed that she did not talk more about the extended Hart family. I just have to assume that Bret's book painted an unflattering tale of half-truths.

[Rhonda]

I'm not giving this book a star rating because I didn't finish it so it doesn't seem fair to try and rate it that way. I tried to read it, but Julie's style of writing didn't engage me so I flipped through it looking to see her perspective on specific events in she and Bret's life, and skipped all the rest.

[Prosper Machengo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should have given us more detail. There is little to no detail pertaining to her brothers in law i.e Davey, Owen and the rest of the Hart's. Where were the Harts when Bret was putting her through hell. What was her marriage like when Bret was getting the push in the early 90's.

For a Bret Hart fan there are a lot of gaps barring that it is a good book, a good account of her life.

[Sarah Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was reading this book, it gave me a different look into the famous Hart family and mostly in the lives of Bret Hart and Julie's marriage. I never liked Julie at all but I respect what she had gone through in her life! I wish that the book was a tiny bit longer though and that is my only problem with this book but other than that it was really good

[Kacie Campbell]

I think this book is a joke. Don't feel sympathy for her. She is not a nice person, and had a hand in ruining my marriage while sleeping with my (ex) husband, all while trying to befriend me and get close to my children. This all happened while she was "writing" this piece of shit book.

[Arthur O'dell · Rating 2 out of 5]

What to say? There's not much here. And not much surprising or new, given what Bret had presented in his autobiography. Only worth reading if you need to hear Julie's side of the story.