Happy Accidents

By: Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett - foreword

Narrated by: Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett (foreword)

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

In the summer of 1974, a 14-year-old girl in Dolton, Illinois, had a dream. A dream to become an actress, like her idols Ron Howard and Vicki Lawrence. But it was a long way from the South Side of Chicago to Hollywood, and it didn’t help that she’d recently dropped out of the school play, The Ugly Duckling, or that the Hollywood casting directors she wrote to replied that "professional training was a requirement".

But the funny thing is, it all came true. Through a series of happy accidents, Jane Lynch created an improbable—and hilarious—path to success. In those early years, despite her dreams, she was also consumed with anxiety, feeling out of place in both her body and her family. To deal with her worries about her sexuality, she escaped in positive ways—such as joining a high-school chorus not unlike the one in Glee—but also found destructive outlets. She started drinking almost every night during her freshman year of high school and developed a mean and judgmental streak that turned her into a real-life Sue Sylvester.

Then, at 31, she started to get her life together. She was finally able to embrace her sexuality, come out to her parents, and quit drinking for good. Soon after, a Frosted Flakes commercial and a chance meeting in a coffee shop led to a role in the Christopher Guest movie Best in Show, which helped her to get cast in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Similar coincidences and chance meetings led to roles in movies starring Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and even Meryl Streep in 2009's Julie & Julia.

Then, of course, came the two lucky accidents that truly changed her life. Getting lost in a hotel led to an introduction to her future wife, Lara. And then a series she’d signed up for abruptly got canceled, making it possible for her to take the role of Sue Sylvester in Glee, which made her a megastar. Today, Jane Lynch has finally found the contentment she thought she’d never have.

Part comic memoir and part inspirational narrative, this is a book equally for the rabid Glee fan and for anyone who needs a new perspective on life, love, and success.

Read by the author, with a foreword written and read by Carol Burnett.

©2011 Canyon Lady Productions (P)2011 Hyperion (packaging elements only)

Critic reviews

"A triumphant memoir recounting the inner struggles of one of the most versatile actresses working today…Achingly sad and sweetly comic at the same time." ( Kirkus)

"[A] frank, engaging, and at times uproariously funny autobiography of a roller-coaster life." ( Vogue)

It was OK

I thought it would be funnier. I love memoirs but this one didn't do it for me. It wasn't awful, just OK.

Excellent

This was so well done. Great and honest story. Awesome to have story teller telling their own story.

I knew I loved her

I knew I loved her talent, but hearing her story makes me feel I can identify with Jane as a person as well as a performer. Her story isn't unique in many ways. We mid-westerners tend to trod well worn paths. She has definitely been influenced by the prairies that surround the windy city and their cultural strengths and weaknesses. Her determination and insecurities resonated with me. So many of the people I know have similar hang-ups. I think the mid-west alone can keep therapists in business for the next century. If you can survive a childhood here, you can survive anything.

Alittle slow but interesting

Where does Happy Accidents rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The story was not captivating but Janes delivery kept you interested. It was real and funny and overall enjoyed her story.

What did you like best about this story?

The honesty and the humor.

Fun, simple story

Would you consider the audio edition of Happy Accidents to be better than the print version?

Never read the print. I do miss pictures though that are in books and (obviously) not in audio books.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most-That she came from such a supportive loving background. Least-A little too much rah-rah about her daughter and wife. It almost felt like a high school girl with her first love. However, I understand, given she is so proudly married. I'm very happy for her also.

Have you listened to any of Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No - first one

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I pretty much did, because I had it on vacation and awaiting flights

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book. I don't watch Glee but I really like Jane Lynch from talk shows.

Awesome!

Really enjoyed this book! Jane Lynch is a treasure and so down to earth! Could have listened to more and hope she writes another!

Fantastic!

Loved the journey, the person, and the story -telling. Genuine and authentic. So glad Jane shared her amazing life.

Will the real Jane Lynch please stand up!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Hearing Jane's telling of her life makes her more likeable and real to me now!

What other book might you compare Happy Accidents to and why?

Ellen Degeneres' "Seriously, I'm Kidding" - real stories about how they came into the business and how they came to their lives.

What does Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Jane's voice, with her sly vocal movements make it so much more consumable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Will the real Jane Lynch please stand up!

Lovely Book Lovely Person

Damn does she own her sh*t too! Mostly really enjoyable and a hopeful book. The last chapters dip into pretty sacharine territory that sound like an extended awards acceptance speech, otherwise a great read.

Joyous Story

If you could sum up Happy Accidents in three words, what would they be?

Struggle Discovery Fulfillment

Any additional comments?

I was mesmerized by Jane's story and by her telling of it. The transitions in her life and personal growth are a joy to behold. It's lovely to "see" the real person that allows her character, Sue Sylvester, be both so tough and so soft! I hope many years from now that Jane writes "Happy Accidents: Part Deux"