What do you think?
Rate this book
Neil Simon's Memoirs
The complete memoirs of playwright Neil Simon—the author of such iconic works as Lost in Yonkers , The Odd Couple , Biloxi Blues , and The Goodbye Girl —now with a new introduction and afterword.
This omnibus edition combines Neil Simon’s two memoirs, Rewrites and The Play Goes On , into one volume that spans his extraordinary five-decade career in theater, television, and film. Rewrites takes Simon through his first love, his first play, and his first brush with failure. There is the humor of growing up in Washington Heights (the inspiration for his play Brighton Beach Memoirs ) where, despite his parents’ rocky marriage and many separations, he learned to see the funny side of family drama, as when his mother screamed thinking she saw a body on the floor in their apartment—it turned out to be the clothes his father discarded in the hallway after a night of carousing. He describes his marriage to his beloved wife Joan, and writes lucidly about the pain of losing her to cancer. The Play Goes On adds to his life’s story, as he wins the Pulitzer Prize and reflects with humor and insight on his tumultuous life and meteoric career.
Now, with the whole story in one place, Neil Simon’s collected memoirs trace the history of modern entertainment over the last fifty years through the eyes of a man who started life the son of a garment salesman and became the greatest—and most successful—American playwright of all time.
This omnibus edition combines Neil Simon’s two memoirs, Rewrites and The Play Goes On , into one volume that spans his extraordinary five-decade career in theater, television, and film. Rewrites takes Simon through his first love, his first play, and his first brush with failure. There is the humor of growing up in Washington Heights (the inspiration for his play Brighton Beach Memoirs ) where, despite his parents’ rocky marriage and many separations, he learned to see the funny side of family drama, as when his mother screamed thinking she saw a body on the floor in their apartment—it turned out to be the clothes his father discarded in the hallway after a night of carousing. He describes his marriage to his beloved wife Joan, and writes lucidly about the pain of losing her to cancer. The Play Goes On adds to his life’s story, as he wins the Pulitzer Prize and reflects with humor and insight on his tumultuous life and meteoric career.
Now, with the whole story in one place, Neil Simon’s collected memoirs trace the history of modern entertainment over the last fifty years through the eyes of a man who started life the son of a garment salesman and became the greatest—and most successful—American playwright of all time.
672 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 18, 2030
20 people are currently reading
408 people want to read
About the author
Neil Simon
178 books273 followersMarvin Neil Simon was an American playwright and screenwriter. He wrote more than 30 plays and he received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer. He was one of the most reliable hitmakers in Broadway history, as well as one of the most performed playwrights in the world. Though primarily a comic writer, some of his plays, particularly the Eugene Trilogy and The Sunshine Boys, reflect on the twentieth century Jewish-American experience.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 30, 2020
"There is a time to stop, and that applies to most things in life." (3.5 stars)
“Neil Simon’s Memoirs” is actually two books, both written by Simon, combined into one volume. Those books, written about 5 years apart are vastly different in style and quality. The first one (“Rewrites”) is far superior to the second (“The Play Goes On”). Together they cover Simon’s life & career up to about the year 2000. Mr. Simon died in 2018.
“Rewrites” is a really interesting book, focusing on aspects of Simon’s childhood, his early career, and his marriage to his first wife Joan, which was a very happy one. Her death from cancer concludes the story “Rewrites” tells. “Rewrites” has chuckle moments, some nice insights on life, and some interesting tidbits about Simon’s playwriting career.
However… “The Play Goes On”, although not bad, just does not measure up. It feels like a different book (of course it is) and Simon was a bit off his groove. Also, the parts of his life that “The Play Goes On” chronicles are not nearly as enjoyable as the first half of the memoirs, so I assume that is a factor for the lesser satisfaction for me.
Neil Simon was a very prolific playwright, and I enjoyed reading his memoirs. They are mostly well written, and with few exceptions, not pretentious, which is an achievement for a memoir. And they have prompted me to visit some of his works that I am not familiar with.
No complaints.
“Neil Simon’s Memoirs” is actually two books, both written by Simon, combined into one volume. Those books, written about 5 years apart are vastly different in style and quality. The first one (“Rewrites”) is far superior to the second (“The Play Goes On”). Together they cover Simon’s life & career up to about the year 2000. Mr. Simon died in 2018.
“Rewrites” is a really interesting book, focusing on aspects of Simon’s childhood, his early career, and his marriage to his first wife Joan, which was a very happy one. Her death from cancer concludes the story “Rewrites” tells. “Rewrites” has chuckle moments, some nice insights on life, and some interesting tidbits about Simon’s playwriting career.
However… “The Play Goes On”, although not bad, just does not measure up. It feels like a different book (of course it is) and Simon was a bit off his groove. Also, the parts of his life that “The Play Goes On” chronicles are not nearly as enjoyable as the first half of the memoirs, so I assume that is a factor for the lesser satisfaction for me.
Neil Simon was a very prolific playwright, and I enjoyed reading his memoirs. They are mostly well written, and with few exceptions, not pretentious, which is an achievement for a memoir. And they have prompted me to visit some of his works that I am not familiar with.
No complaints.
March 21, 2017
I had read Rewrites many years ago. This book includes both of his books which is an incredible read.
It is probably one of my top 20 favorite books, including fiction and non-fiction.
The man is an absolute genius, with all his foibles. The writing is so smooth and interesting that you hate to have it end.
This is a must read for anyone who has ever seen a play or any of the movies he wrote.
It is absolute perfection!
It is probably one of my top 20 favorite books, including fiction and non-fiction.
The man is an absolute genius, with all his foibles. The writing is so smooth and interesting that you hate to have it end.
This is a must read for anyone who has ever seen a play or any of the movies he wrote.
It is absolute perfection!
October 14, 2018
WOW! This was a whole lotta book, being a compilation of two autobiographies: 'Rewrites' and 'The Play Goes On.' Neil Simon was a powerfully prolific writer, and by the time I finished this book, I only wished he were more so. I feel like I've made a new friend. For anyone who aspires to be or is a writer, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Neil Simon is a brilliant example of the discipline, determination, and love of one's work that it takes. He had a life that in many ways seems enviable, and in others...well, one wouldn't have chosen to walk those miles in his shoes. For anyone thinking of going into theatre in any way, this book is easily a must read. It includes a history of how theatre (emanating from Broadway in New York City, for the most part) was, leading to how much it has changed, masterfully entertwined with his own amazing life. I laughed a lot, cried a bit: my empathy (of which I had plenty to begin with) has grown immensely, and I am a much better human being for having read this book. When you read a 600+ page book and are very sorry to have it end, you know it's a great read!
June 8, 2020
Like many theater and film-goers, I've seen many of Neil Simon's plays and films but never really knew anything about his life. A veteran New Yorker, like the somewhat younger Woody Allen, he started by writing gags for newspapers and journals, skits for reviews and comedy for early television. He then branched out into plays and screenplays. Both were mentored by Simon's older brother, Danny, a veteran TV writer/producer. Like Woody Allen, he's somewhat neurotic about his health and while Allen has trouble entering rooms, Simon is claustrophobic. Unlike Allen, Neil Simon had a deep love affair with his first wife, who unfortunately died of cancer when she was only forty. Both are extremely productive, driven workers but Simon is much more of a family man. His adventures in the theater and film worlds and stories are very interesting and cover a wide range of personalities. It's an engaging and moving journey that gives the reader many insights into life and art. An extremely worthwhile read. - BH.
July 9, 2018
I enjoy show biz auto biographies with lots of behind the scenes tidbits and this book certainly did not lack for those. The humor and heart that Mr. Simon puts into his plays came through in writing about himself, his family, and his work. It took me a long time to read Memoirs because combining his two autobiographies, an introduction, an afterword, and an index into one large paperback created an oversized volume that was not conducive to portability. I only read it at home. I’ve seen a few of his plays on Broadway and in community theatre and even stage managed a production of Brighton Beach Memoirs. I’ve seen several of his movies and watched every episode of the TV version of The Odd Couple. I enjoyed his insights on why certain actors were or were not cast in roles, but I sure wish he’d talked about the horrible casting of the movie version of Brighton Beach Memoirs.....Blythe Danner as a Jewish mother? What was someone thinking?
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads.com
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads.com
May 10, 2019
I have always loved Neil Simon's work over the years. His work is funny, insightful, witty and very much universal, in so much that, in some way we identify with one of his characters at one point while watching his play or screenplay.
It is evident in these 2 memoirs he tries to be honest, open and considerate - but what truly comes through is his love for writing and his ability to find humor in the everyday trials, tribulations and happy situations of life. But more importantly, he expresses himself in a way to show he finds humor in the everyday trials, tribulations and happy situations of his own life. It is not so much he is a star of his own book, but a character you want to see through to the end, no matter how it ends.
He may not be emotional or sentimental, but you feel for him during the processes of writing from page to stage, relationships and his hope of always moving on, and all with a humbled twist that puts a smile on your face.
And because of that, I never felt I was supposed to feel sorry for him, but be inspired by his genius.
It is evident in these 2 memoirs he tries to be honest, open and considerate - but what truly comes through is his love for writing and his ability to find humor in the everyday trials, tribulations and happy situations of life. But more importantly, he expresses himself in a way to show he finds humor in the everyday trials, tribulations and happy situations of his own life. It is not so much he is a star of his own book, but a character you want to see through to the end, no matter how it ends.
He may not be emotional or sentimental, but you feel for him during the processes of writing from page to stage, relationships and his hope of always moving on, and all with a humbled twist that puts a smile on your face.
And because of that, I never felt I was supposed to feel sorry for him, but be inspired by his genius.
September 6, 2018
Neil Simon's Memoirs is an autobiography collection of Neil Simon, a prolific playwright, screenwriter, and author. This book combines both autobiographies that Neil Simon wrote: Rewrites: A Memoir and The Play Goes On: A Memoir into one volume with an addition Afterward added – well in the end.
Marvin Neil Simon was an American playwright, screenwriter, and author. He wrote more than thirty plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, granted most of them were of his plays. He received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer did.
Neil Simon died last month (26 August 2018) and I was rather shocked to hear his death in the news, considering I did not even know he was ill in the first place. Over the years, I have seen many of his plays performed and many of his films that he has written. In fact, he was one of the first writers of plays and films that I consciously followed. Even though, I was a fan, I do not know much about Simon's life besides his work, so I thought it would be appropriate to read his autobiography.
Rewrites: A Memoir (the first part of the book) focused more on Neil Simon's professional life as a writer, playwright, and screenwriter. His account of his family and personal life beyond the theater lacks resonance and seemed to be an afterthought. Oddly or interestingly enough – I cannot decide which, is his experience with psychotherapy, where those sections are written in the third person, which was a tad jarring in the flow of the writing and seemed impersonal.
The Play Goes On: A Memoir focused more on relationships that Neil Simon had – in particular with his second wife Marsha Mason. It depicts how she brought Neil Simon out of his depression when his first wife, Joan Baim, died and how he returned to depression when the marriage failed. Neil Simon frankly talks about his depression and his unconventional manner in dealing with it and in viewed deeply, perhaps his co-dependency. While this autobiography is sad in most parts, it is also filled with wonderful humor.
Overall, these autobiographies are written rather well. I quite enjoyed the candor and most of the anecdote that was found within. It is an interesting tale of a struggling artist – even well after he found success. It is interesting to see where his influences and his battle with writer's block and depression throughout his wonderful, albeit tortured life.
All in all, Neil Simon's Memoirs are well-written autobiographies about a struggling artist trying to find success in a competitive world to one day become the most prolific playwright, screenwriter, and writer in Hollywood.
Marvin Neil Simon was an American playwright, screenwriter, and author. He wrote more than thirty plays and nearly the same number of movie screenplays, granted most of them were of his plays. He received more combined Oscar and Tony nominations than any other writer did.
Neil Simon died last month (26 August 2018) and I was rather shocked to hear his death in the news, considering I did not even know he was ill in the first place. Over the years, I have seen many of his plays performed and many of his films that he has written. In fact, he was one of the first writers of plays and films that I consciously followed. Even though, I was a fan, I do not know much about Simon's life besides his work, so I thought it would be appropriate to read his autobiography.
Rewrites: A Memoir (the first part of the book) focused more on Neil Simon's professional life as a writer, playwright, and screenwriter. His account of his family and personal life beyond the theater lacks resonance and seemed to be an afterthought. Oddly or interestingly enough – I cannot decide which, is his experience with psychotherapy, where those sections are written in the third person, which was a tad jarring in the flow of the writing and seemed impersonal.
The Play Goes On: A Memoir focused more on relationships that Neil Simon had – in particular with his second wife Marsha Mason. It depicts how she brought Neil Simon out of his depression when his first wife, Joan Baim, died and how he returned to depression when the marriage failed. Neil Simon frankly talks about his depression and his unconventional manner in dealing with it and in viewed deeply, perhaps his co-dependency. While this autobiography is sad in most parts, it is also filled with wonderful humor.
Overall, these autobiographies are written rather well. I quite enjoyed the candor and most of the anecdote that was found within. It is an interesting tale of a struggling artist – even well after he found success. It is interesting to see where his influences and his battle with writer's block and depression throughout his wonderful, albeit tortured life.
All in all, Neil Simon's Memoirs are well-written autobiographies about a struggling artist trying to find success in a competitive world to one day become the most prolific playwright, screenwriter, and writer in Hollywood.
January 9, 2024
I am not an avid play attendee or fan, but I had read good reviews of his memoirs. This book has both of them combined and, at first, the book appears rather daunting in its length. However, I really enjoyed it. I read it over a period of time - picking up where I left off. It is such an easy read and each time I picked it up it was like returning to chat with a good friend. Neil Simon keeps the book full of humor and light-heartedness while delving into his life - good times and bad. The latter part of the book focuses a bit more on his relationship issues, which makes it feel more personal and compelling, even if you aren't that well acquainted with all his works. I recommend for those who like biographies.
January 5, 2020
I did not read the Kindle edition. Neil Simon's Memoirs consists of two volumes. This edition includes both books. They also can be found under two separate titles, "Rewrites," and "The Play Goes On." Not many writers compare to Neil Simon. He documents his life in a funny, entertaining, and often poignant way. It's interesting to discover the life story behind the plays, screenplays, & movies that Neil Simon created, many of which are so familiar. Neil Simon was married more than a few times -- twice to the same woman. Practice makes perfect!
April 8, 2024
Two books for the price of one.i found the first book more interesting.it came more to life with the play productions and the film castings.he couldn't stop himself,every couple of sentences a one line wisecrack to alleviate even the darker parts of his life.a couple of chapters deemed out of sync about his psychoanalysis,other than that his loss of his first wife and his turbulent unsuccessful remarriages.not bad but same as with film sequels the second book suffers from the law of deminishing returns.
July 14, 2019
Great to have both of Neil Simon's memoirs (REWRITES and THE PLAY GOES ON) put into one volume with an introduction by Nathan Lane and an afterword by his widow Elaine Joyce. Great tales of Broadway, Hollywood, casting, filming and his private life (three wives...four marriages because he remarried his third wife). Lots of behind-the-scenes stories of working on such classics as THE ODD COUPLE, BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, LOST IN YONKERS, MURDER BY DEATH.... Wildly entertaining.
September 4, 2018
I love him even more!
If you are a writer or an actor...read this book! I have been a Neil Simon fan since I was 12 years old. He is the reason I am a playwright today. Hearing his story in his words was amazing. The world lost a brilliant man on August 26, 2018...but the laughter he gave us lives on!
If you are a writer or an actor...read this book! I have been a Neil Simon fan since I was 12 years old. He is the reason I am a playwright today. Hearing his story in his words was amazing. The world lost a brilliant man on August 26, 2018...but the laughter he gave us lives on!
May 22, 2020
This is a wonderful memoir about one of the greatest playwrights, Neil Simon. I have read this book and it is very insightful to his process, his personal life, his hits and flops and his experiences. He is an American treasure that I think we have forgotten. How he could make us laugh!!
September 8, 2018
Ok. The second half of the book is the book “ the play goes on” I found the first half mor interesting. I’m not a fan of his plays so.... we read it for book group. Interesting. Skimmed parts
May 14, 2021
Excellent! Easy to read. Interesting!
March 31, 2022
Rewrites: 5
The Play Goes On: 4
The Play Goes On: 4
May 30, 2019
(first half better than ...the second)
==========
Something takes over on its own that moves and guides you toward each other, making every sound that’s uttered and every look that passes between you seem inevitable and safe and wonderful.
==========
I could feel the cellophane worn off a pack of cigarettes, a match book, a pencil, a single Life Saver, a paper clip, bits of tobacco, all giving me a hint and smell of what his day was really like. I was able to get close to him without his knowing; he was inviting me to share a moment of his life despite his inability to give it through a touch or a caress.
==========
Your horizons can expand, however, if you allow yourself the possibility of failure. You must, in fact, court failure.
==========
Life is good again, until those times when your behavior reminds you you’ve not really made peace with the old pain, but merely covered it with layers of rationalities. Intellect is sometimes the great denier and time is the great arbiter.
==========
My bookshelves at home are loaded with books that are one-half or one-third read.
==========
It’s my belief that some marriages end because they have run out their time. If there are genetic faults in our systems that determine the length of our lives, I believe to some extent that holds true for marriages as well.
==========
I also found out that sex without love was not very satisfying. (Then again, love without sex can be a drag as well, as can love without love, which is when you’re just saying “love” in order to get sex.)
==========
When you see someone for the very first time, you know more about them than you think you do.
==========
I looked at her, bewildered. I didn’t know what culture or religion or tribe that rule came from, but it was so unforgiving, it made me feel that I was damned for life. And I also didn’t know that twenty years later I still would be begging her to forgive what I once said in a casual conversation.
==========
Something takes over on its own that moves and guides you toward each other, making every sound that’s uttered and every look that passes between you seem inevitable and safe and wonderful.
==========
I could feel the cellophane worn off a pack of cigarettes, a match book, a pencil, a single Life Saver, a paper clip, bits of tobacco, all giving me a hint and smell of what his day was really like. I was able to get close to him without his knowing; he was inviting me to share a moment of his life despite his inability to give it through a touch or a caress.
==========
Your horizons can expand, however, if you allow yourself the possibility of failure. You must, in fact, court failure.
==========
Life is good again, until those times when your behavior reminds you you’ve not really made peace with the old pain, but merely covered it with layers of rationalities. Intellect is sometimes the great denier and time is the great arbiter.
==========
My bookshelves at home are loaded with books that are one-half or one-third read.
==========
It’s my belief that some marriages end because they have run out their time. If there are genetic faults in our systems that determine the length of our lives, I believe to some extent that holds true for marriages as well.
==========
I also found out that sex without love was not very satisfying. (Then again, love without sex can be a drag as well, as can love without love, which is when you’re just saying “love” in order to get sex.)
==========
When you see someone for the very first time, you know more about them than you think you do.
==========
I looked at her, bewildered. I didn’t know what culture or religion or tribe that rule came from, but it was so unforgiving, it made me feel that I was damned for life. And I also didn’t know that twenty years later I still would be begging her to forgive what I once said in a casual conversation.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews