 "review" | 2010-01-21 |
| - Reviewed By Bernard Steak |
| Service was slow but that might have been the postal service problem. The book arrived in like new condition. I have not been able to read it yet but am looking forward to it. |
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| "A review with perspective" | 2009-05-25 |
| - Reviewed By Michael R. Marks from Arkansas |
Most of the reviews for this book are several years old, and the book itself is now half-a-dozen years in print. So why bother with another review? One reason is because the show is thriving now in syndication and may be attracting new fans who will find this book for the first time, and I want those fans to know it is still a relevant and insightful work to get. But perhaps not for the reasons you think...
Another reason is because time provides perspective. While the show is still wonderful and truly an established classic now, it is no longer the reason to go looking for books and more information about it. Other shows have come along an replaced it in terms of popularity or "must-see" status. The stories of the behind-the-scenes life are mostly passe' for contemporary audiences, other than for historical interest. So why should you spend the money, time and effort to read "Motherhood and Hollywood"?
A few years removed from "Raymond," Patricia Heaton is an award-winning actress who can still attract legions of male fans with her looks and her style, and there is something about her that makes her so real she is all the more attractive. For a woman in beauty-saturated Hollywood who is now past 50, that's quite an accomplishment. Amazingly, at the same time she can also attract legions of female fans because she is down-to-earth approachable and her "real life" is not so different in priorities, challenges, and nature than their own. Again, for the public to have this general perspective says a great deal about Patricia. For many, she is the wife men desire and the wife women desire to be, and that is a rare combination indeed.
But this is a review of her book, not Patricia herself. Here is my point on why you should read "Motherhood" and how perspective fits into it: From all accounts I have found, she is still the same woman. Sound trite? Hollywood is a place of compromises, failures, and facade, yet Heaton is still the same woman you meet in this book, and that, to me, indicates a depth of character worth looking closer at. She is still married and committed to that, she still talks about motherhood as her life, she still maintains her independent views despite their low popularity among the celeb elite, and she still is grounded in faith and family. Despite the success, despite the unrealistic expectations of fans, despite new trials to find success again.
There are plenty of descriptions in the other reviews on the tidbits Heaton chooses to cover and what she doesn't, but I want to make a point on her style. It has been criticized for hopping around or for using some course metaphors, and those things are true. She seems selective in what she says and doesn't say, and that is true. But there is, to me, a huge benefit to this. I finished this book feeling as though I had spent time in conversation with a real human being. It's not a formula driven publicity piece. It's not intended to be a comprehensive biography of every nuance of her life. It is like she sits down and says "here are the things I want to tell you about myself, because of all the things in my life, these are the ones that I define myself by." Upon finishing the book, I felt like I knew Patricia Heaton, not that I just knew a lot of things about her.
So, get to know this unusual star. You can get the background on "Raymond" in many other books and places, and don't expect a lot of that here. It's worth a few hours, though, to sit down and get to know the person Patty Heaton. |
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| "Something to hang on to" | 2008-05-26 |
| - Reviewed By T. Salisbury |
| A couple of years ago, after joining the millions of other fans who were years ahead of me in discovering Everybody Loves Raymond, I became addicted to the show in syndication and subsequently, addicted to Patricia Heaton's work. Thanks to some good old-fashioned googling, I found out she wrote a book, promptly ordered it, received it and read it cover to cover in about 4 hours. A year later I read it again. A year later (today) I spent my Sunday reading it for the 3rd time. It's one of those easy, effervescent reads you hang on to and read when you need a little dose of optimistic cynicism, which seems to realistically remind you of what's important in life -- even if you're an actor, especially if you're an actor. Plus, it always gets me to brush my teeth; never a bad idea. |
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 "Funny,witty, and insightful...just like her!" | 2008-04-21 |
| - Reviewed By T. Howard from California |
| I'm a huge fan of Patty Heaton! I loved her humor and am truly amazed at everything she experienced along the way to stardom and love. I enjoyed the funny and insightful look into her life experiences, but would also enjoy a deeper look into her true feelings about life, love, family, religion, etc. Would love to see her write another book!!! :) |
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| "Like becoming Friends" | 2007-09-25 |
| - Reviewed By M E ROSSON from Tennessee |
Have you ever read a book and felt like you had become friends with the character of the book? I have read Motherhood and Hollywood over the last week and everyday after reading it I would discuss the book with my wife. My wife bought the book for me knowing how much I love Patricia Heaton and her character on Everybody Loves Raymond and the Movie: "The Engagement Ring." We even set aside a special time to watch the first episode of her new sitcom on Fox. One night after talking about the chapters I had read with my wife, she actually said: "Did you ask her...." She stopped when she realized that I did not know Patricia nor had I ever met her, but the book had given me so many details about her life and was so genuine, it was as if we were friends. It even gave me a tiny epiphony later that evening when watching Everybody Loves Raymond and realizing that the Chuck Heaton that was nominated with Ray for "Sportswriter of the Year" was really Patricia's Father from Cleveland. Her book had actually given me insight on what must have been a loving and private joke on the show, as well as a tribute. I would recommend this book to any mom who has had to deal with growing older and how to look presentable. Who has had to deal with Motherhood and all the wonders such as flu, floaties and epidurals. This book is a treasure and a very private look into a very wonderful persons life. Patricia has given more than entertainment, she has given us her friendship and that is a very special gift. God Bless You Patricia,
M E Rosson |
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| "Informative, Interesting but No Pictures" | 2007-09-11 |
| - Reviewed By Just CJ's Opinions from Louisville, Ohio USA |
| I enoyed Patricia's book about her life and adventures on tv show,...Every Body Loves Raymond. I especially liked the parts about the show and the funny things that happened while making it. But I was very disappointed that there were no pictures. Maybe it's just me, but I like an autiobiography to have pictures other then the one on the cover. She is not the comic writer that Ray Romano is with his books, but I still enjoyed it. |
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