Are You Hungry, Dear?

by Doris Roberts, Danelle Morton

Warm, funny episodes, each complete with the perfect recipe from the life of America’s favorite mother-in-law from the hit comedy Everybody Loves Raymond

In Are You Hungry, Dear?, Doris takes her signature line from the show and makes it her own in a program that pairs hilarious stories and dramatic turning points from her fascinating life with delicious recipes from her kitchen. She shares the lessons learned in two marriages and numerous love affairs, her struggles with her own family, and her heroic efforts to build a career and raise a son on her own. Those who love feisty, judgmental, opinionated Marie Barone will see how Doris is all that and more: tough, sweet, brave, direct, and vibrant. Listeners will embrace the unforgettable life of this very open star, and relate to the issues--like ageism in Hollywood, sex in the senior years, and her daughter-in-law’s imperfect meat sauce--that Doris cares about passionately.

Are You Hungry, Dear? is for everyone who loves a laugh, a great recipe, and a true inside glimpse of a very approachable star.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography, Humor, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Cooking

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Doris Roberts was an American actress. She received five Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild award during her acting career. She was best known for her role as Raymond Barone's mother, Marie Barone, on the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.

Reviews

[♏ Gina☽ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I still love Everybody Loves Raymond, and I'll watch the reruns as long as they run them. One of the best things about the show was Doris Roberts. In looks, she reminded me of my beloved mom so that endeared me to her right from the get-go. In addition, my mom was first born generation from Italy - second point scored. As Marie Barone, she was supposed to be the over-bearing mother to her two sons, who babied them into adulthood and who fed everyone in her path. Instead, I found her a woman I would have been friends with, making homemade ravioli together, celebrating holidays with the family. In real life, Doris was a little bit like Marie Barone, but only the good points. Unfortunately, she has passed now, and that day hurt. As long as she was alive and the re-runs were on, I felt like I could visit with mom, one more time.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like Doris Roberts so I got this one day after seeing it. Then I started worrying if I'd like the book. Just because I love her on t.v. doesn't mean I'll love her book.
The rating was harder than usual for me because it's not like this is the usual four star book for me. But it's interesting, my attention was held throughout and Roberts' humor is outstanding. I was amazed at her openness and honesty.
If you like to cook and try new recipes you'll probably love the ones included here. I don't cook - at all - so those meant nothing to me besides how they linked with certain anecdotes.
I'm also not into plays and theater like Roberts is but even those aspects, and there are a lot, really kept me reading.
It's worth a read if you really like her and I'm glad I found it. I'm thinking about reading Patricia Heaton's Motherhood and Hollywood soon now.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Doris Roberts passed away recently, my son and I talked about how much we enjoyed her acting and comedy talents. My 11-year old loves Everybody Loves Raymond. We have the entire series on DVD and he's watched every episode many, many times. He was surprised to hear that Doris Roberts starred in many more shows, movies and plays in her career. I pulled up some videos online so he could see her in other shows, like Remington Steele in the 80's.

I realized that I had enjoyed her work for years, but didn't know much about her. I checked her book out at the library and enjoyed learning more about one of my favorite actresses.

Are You Hungry, Dear? shares Roberts' thoughts about acting, motherhood, holidays and her personal life. She had a very rough childhood, and experienced loss and setbacks at various points in her life, as we all do. What clearly showed through, even when she was talking about difficult parts of her life, was her determination and positive outlook about life. No matter what happened to her, Roberts kept going and persevered. She wasn't just an actress, but a very strong, loving and wonderful woman. Her personality just jumps off the page. My favorite part was the chapter where she talked about hosting a Greed Party for Christmas each year, where a chosen set of friends came to her house to spend an evening swiping presents from each other. I had to laugh....my family has played the same game (we call it Dirty Santa) every Christmas for about the last 12 years. All the adults sit in a circle, numbers are picked from a hat. Then one at a time, each person picks a gift...either from the stack in the middle (each person brought a wrapped gift), or they can steal a present that someone else has already opened. I was happy to find out that even millionaire actors, directors and producers enjoy that game....and its tendency to be hilarious and almost vicious at times. :)

She talks a little bit about Everybody Loves Raymond -- the show and the cast. When the book was written, the show was still on the air. The majority of the book is about other topics -- her life, her acting career, and her thoughts on life. After each chapter, there is a recipe related to the topic in some way. I thought that was a cute touch. :) There's a pasta recipe in the book that I copied so I can try it!

I very much enjoyed this book! I had no idea that Roberts had such a wonderful career on the stage before she was in movies or on television. After reading her stories, I think she would have been a delightful person to share dinner with. Just a truly nice, wise and very talented woman!

Thank you so much for sharing your awesome talent with us, Doris! Rest in Peace.

[Liese Sherwood-Fabre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to meet Doris Roberts at a charity event in support of a shelter for abused farm animals. She is passionate about this cause and I bought her book to support the organization. What I had no idea until I read this set of memoirs was the tough life and hardships she endured. To be the compassionate, cheerful person she is just shows how much she overcame all that life through at her.

The mark of a good storyteller is the ability to connect at an emotional level. I had to stop reading more than once to compose myself.

Every chapter also includes a recipe, and I'm planning to try them all.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doris Roberts writes a good memoir of her life. She adds a unique part by giving recipes at the end of each chapter. the recipe usually has something to do with the chapter. She shares growing up in New York. Her father abandoned the family. her two marriages. her son Michael. a bit about her grandkids and other family members. she does share some about her career as an actress. She wrote this book while filming the successful show "Everybody Loves Raymond". kind of a nice memoir with recipes for readers to try.

[Rachel Schwantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this so much!!! I’m a big Everybody Loves Raymond fan and especially of Marie. I loved reading about Doris Roberts’ life, experiences, and lessons learned. I marked a lot of very thoughtful passages in this book and overall thought it was very honest and heartfelt.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doris Roberts to me is one of the funniest women I've ever seen and she never disappointed. This was a fascinating read to learn about her more.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book for my Mom for Mother's Day 2003. Mom passed away in 2005 and I kept this book for myself.
I was never sure that she read it until I was reading along and the book would open in places like it had been set down, opened to a certain spot.
Doris's memoirs are humorous and insightful, and filled with a lot of info about acting and the industry. Each chapter is followed with one of her personal recipes - my favorite of which is Steak a la Pizziaola, which she made on "Everybody Loves Raymond".
There is the use of the "f" word a couple of times, which always puts me off.
It was an entertaining read -- and I love books that have personal recipes in them. I always try at least one of the recipes.

[Amy Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but I gave it away right after I read it, and I wish I hadn’t. I gave it to someone who *I thought* would use the recipes (she didn’t—I’m not even sure she read it, tbh). This was probably 8-9 years ago, and to this day, I still regret getting rid of this book because I’d love to reference it. Instead, I have to rely on memory; I reflect on the words of Doris Roberts: her simple, beautiful recipes, and her awesome stories accompanying them. I may buy another copy so I can re-read it and reference her recipes.

[Shaila Babu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Everybody Loves Raymond" I liked this TV Series a lot! The Characters in it were Awesome!!!! Coming to Doris Roberts .... She is so beautiful!! This is very a good book to read on a Chilly day .... basically because its just a simple life story of her with good food recipes with some Black and white pictures of her life! :)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't stop laughing and comparing parts to my own life. It made me stop and think about a few areas of my life. Great read!!

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just getting started, but already I can tell this us a good book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were, or still are, a fan of Marie Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond, or any of Doris' many other roles, you should read this book!

[Doc Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always loved Doris Roberts acting but never knew her acting history, theater work, and family life. What an incredible woman who lived an amazing life by working hard, overcoming her early years, and raising her son, largely but not solely alone. She will always be Marie Barone and her acting timing and prowess are legend. Her live of her family, her cast, and her husband were so touching to read about. A n often funny and touching read.

[Cathie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love this actress. Unfortunately, I did not see her on Broadway, but thoroughly enjoyed her roles on TV. I thought perhaps this book would be about her time on "Everyone Loves Raymond" and was looking forward to reading it. This was not the case; this book was ramblings about her life. It was her insights into her childhood, marriages, career, and not in any particular order.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so loved reading Doris's book. I was always an Everybody Loves Raymond fan, and she has had a marvelous career. I wanted to email or write to Doris after I finished the book, and got a pang of sadness when I realized I couldn't; she died in 2016.

[Sarah Vigen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about her life and how she got into the acting field, and she wasn’t a star until later in life. Which is when I became aware of her as Marie on everybody loves Raymond! Read for the winter library bingo. Kind of late posting it!

[Susan B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really hoping this would be funnier, recipes were ok nothing spectacular but they did help move the book along. Doris did struggle in her early career and like all of us made some bad choices. Once she realized she could be n control of her life she seemed to enjoy it more.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It did jump around through time, but pretty easy to follow nonetheless. Very quick read, and lots of interesting tidbits. Oh btw most of the recipes are good as well.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

She jumped all over the place. The stories were fun but then she almost seemed to lecture.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

None of the chapters were in the order of her life. Could've been better.

[Connie Becerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. I loved watching her in Everyone Loves Raymond. Wish I had seen her in other things.

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't really know anything about her so I was excited to read this. Enjoyed it!

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a copy of Doris Roberts' memoir about three years ago, by a friend who knew I collected cookbooks. I put it aside and added it to my "To Read" list. When she recently passed away, I decided to read the book, in her memory. I had always admired the roles she played as well as her gusto. About 23 years ago, my husband and I were lucky enough to meet her backstage after a play in Los Angeles. (My brother-in-law was an agent at that time and knew her personally). I started the book, fully intending to be reading a bit of "celebrity fluff." Fluff it is not! She related her life, career, and love of good food with candor as well as humor. There are life lessons to be pondered as you dive into her delicious Italian dishes.

[Amanda J · Rating 3 out of 5]

In her memoir, Doris Roberts shares stories both from her role as Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond and from her real life. Real life events are organized by theme rather than told in chronological order with ancedotes from Raymond occasionally thrown into the mix.

Some of the stories were quite moving, particularly when Doris spoke of her uncle. Nonetheless, I found the book rather choppy in its presentation and I expected more humor than I found.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so auto-bio of the actress we got to know as Marie Barone, the mother-in-law from hell on the "Everybody Loves Raymond" tv show. From a childhood raised by often indifferent adults/relatives to a failed marriage she had a never flagging desire to be an actress.

She also adds some of her favorite recipes between chapters - all of which heighten her "Marie" image.

[Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read by the woman who’s best known for playing Ray Romano’s mother on “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Her stories are great, and she’s got a wonderful sense of humor. Her prose isn’t the best, but still this was a fun read. What I enjoyed most about the book were the WONDERFUL recipes she shared – just like Marie Barone!

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

n Are You Hungry, Dear?, Doris takes her signature line from Everybody Loves Raymond and pairs hilarious stories and dramatic turning points from her life with her. She shares the lessons learned in two marriages and numerous love affairs, her struggles with her own family, and her efforts to build a career and raise a son on her own.