Born with Teeth

A Memoir

By: Kate Mulgrew

Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew

Audie Award, Narration by Author, 2016

Raised by unconventional Irish Catholics who knew "how to drink, how to dance, how to talk, and how to stir up the devil", Kate Mulgrew grew up with poetry and drama in her bones. But in her mother, a would-be artist burdened by the endless arrival of new babies, young Kate saw the consequences of a dream deferred. Determined to pursue her own no matter the cost, at 18 she left her small Midwestern town for New York, where, studying with the legendary Stella Adler, she learned the lesson that would define her as an actress: "Use it," Adler told her. Whatever disappointment, pain, or anger life throws in your path, channel it into the work.

It was a lesson she would need. At 22, just as her career was taking off, she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. Having already signed the adoption papers, she was allowed only a fleeting glimpse of her child. As her star continued to rise, her life became increasingly demanding and fulfilling, a whirlwind of passionate love affairs, life-saving friendships, and bone-crunching work. Through it all Mulgrew remained haunted by the loss of her daughter until, two decades later, she found the courage to face the past and step into the most challenging role of her life both on and off screen.

We know Kate Mulgrew for the strong women she's played - Captain Janeway on Star Trek; the tough-as-nails Red on Orange Is the New Black. Now we meet the most inspiring and memorable character of all: herself. By turns irreverent and soulful, laugh-out-loud funny and heart-piercingly sad, Born with Teeth is the breathtaking memoir of a woman who dares to live life to the fullest, on her own terms.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2015 Kate Mulgrew (P)2015 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Mulgrew's strong stage presence and genuine emotions will make listeners want to experience this audiobook all in one go." ( AudioFile)

Captivaing story delivered with verisimilitude

Usually I only listen to audio books on long car rides, but when my ride was over—I could not stop. I burned my car battery listening to her on Bluetooth. I burned out my iPhone listening to her on my bedroom’s sound bar. I laughed at times, and I cried as she described her anticipation talking to her daughter for the first time. It is a captivating story presented with verisimilitude. Now I want to go back and watch everything she has ever acted in. I respect her.

Direct, Compelling, Unsentimental

This is an excellent book about an incredible life. A rare occasion wherein author narration is absolutely inspired.

a very worthy memoir

I was unfamiliar with the author, beyond her role in OITNB. I was bored one day and randomly listened to soundbites of new books, and couldn't not want to know more.
The author clearly has a gift for writing, and her honesty and integrity shine through this book. I feel it is a very worthy story to listen to.

A true work of art by a true artist

I have always enjoyed Kate Mulgrew as an actress being a Star Trek fan when she came to the role of Captain Janeway it was not a Leap but one that was perfectly suited to her acting talent and temperament. When I learned that she had written her memoir I knew I wanted to hear it in her own voice so an audible performance was a no-brainer. Kate is not only an extraordinary address but an extraordinary writer this memoir reveals an innate talent and one that I hope she will bless upon us again with some other writing endeavor. You will enjoy the ride that you'll experience as you listen to Kate and the revelations of her life it is not only interesting but revealing endearing vulnerable and will leave you with wanting more I can't recommend it enough.

A life lived large, told exquisitely

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

It was the title and the photo of a woman who seemed vaguely familiar that drew me to this book. I realized later that she was the captain on Star Trek but I never would have imagined such a colorful life. Kate Mulgrew has a way of expressing some things so subtly that you have to rewind to make sure you heard it correctly. Passion, impulsiveness, and honesty make her story so engaging.

A Surprisingly Detailed Account

What I Liked: The problem with knowing an actress mainly through a single role is that it's easy to assume that a lot of the character's personality applies to the person. In this case there are certain key things about that Janeway that are clearly true about Kate Mulgrew, and that just makes her all the more inspiring. She's the sort of actress who has taken her career very seriously and over the years she has made sure to select roles that have helped her to feel fulfilled or have helped her grow in her craft.

And she's the sort of stubborn individual who sticks to her principles when the cards are down and that has seen her through many personal tragedies in her life. This book nicely captures many of those moments in her life and so eloquently to, further reinforcing her appreciation for the written word. It's a very well put-together piece and hearing it in her own words adds a special dimension to the whole experience.

What Could Have Been Better: As is often the case with such memoirs, it takes a bit of time to fully appreciate the stories you're reading and the parts of someone's life that you're getting introduced to through the book. And so the first few chapters are insightful but a little rough to take on as she does go into a fair amount of detail about her family and her upbringing.

Then there's the guilty admission that I had hoped to hear more about her life as Captain Janeway on the set of Voyager. Of course it couldn't be helped given the other major events that took place in her life around the same time so her Star Trek work was just so much work and was thus relegated to the background. I had hoped for more insights into Janeway and how she had brought her to life but maybe that is best left to a behind the scenes piece about the series or something.

Kate Mulgrew Should Narrate Everything

Would you consider the audio edition of Born with Teeth to be better than the print version?

Hell yes.

What did you like best about this story?

It's a dramatic, spectacular story told in classic stage diva grande dame fashion. Totally the cure for the whatever-mumblecore-era blues.

One of the two best autobiographies I've ever read

Expect the unexpected! At first I was uncomfortable and confused and stopped listening , two months later I went back and was so glad that I did! The first discomforts made sense, or didn't, nothing about any of our lives is black and white and is always unfolding in knowledge we obtain daily about our selves, families and the world around us. Kate has had, so far, an incredibly interesting and full life, and is a beautiful and powerful author! I was so sad when it was over and I hope she picks up the story from the early 2000's where she leaves off!

Engrossing story

I highly recommend the audiobook. The book is beautifully written but Kate Mulgrew brings it to life with her narration.

I liked Kate Mulgrew before. Now I love her.

It's not a surprise that Ms. Mulgrew, an accomplished actress, with a rich voice, does a terrific job of narrating her own life story. What was a surprise was that her writing voice is just as rich. She's as talented a writer as she is an actress. This audio book was a treat.