Furious Love

Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century

By: Sam Kashner, Nancy Schoenberger

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 17 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

The definitive story of Hollywood's most famous couple.

He was a tough-guy Welshman softened by the affections of a breathtakingly beautiful woman; she was a modern-day Cleopatra madly in love with her own Mark Antony. For nearly a quarter of a century, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton were Hollywood royalty, and their fiery romance - often called "the marriage of the century" - was the most notorious, publicized, and celebrated love affair of its day.

For the first time, Vanity Fair contributing editor Sam Kashner and acclaimed biographer Nancy Schoenberger tell the complete story of this larger-than-life couple, showing how their romance and two marriages commanded the attention of the world. And for the first time, in exclusive access given to the authors, Elizabeth Taylor herself gives never-revealed details and firsthand accounts of her life with Burton.

Drawing upon brand-new information and interviews and on Burton's private, passionate, and heartbreaking letters to Taylor, Furious Love sheds new light on the movies, the sex, the scandal, the fame, the brawls, the booze, the bitter separations, and, of course, the fabled jewels. It offers an intimate glimpse into Elizabeth and Richard's privileged world and their elite circle of friends, among them Princess Grace, Montgomery Clift, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Peter O'Toole, Michael Caine, Marlon Brando, Rex Harrison, Mike Nichols, Laurence Olivier, Robert Kennedy, Tennessee Williams, Noel Coward, John Huston, Ava Gardner, the Rothschilds, Maria Callas, and Aristotle Onassis. It provides an entertaining, eye-opening look at their films, their wildly lucrative reign in Europe and in Hollywood, and the price they paid for their extravagant lives.

©2010 Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Hollywood melodrama of the highest caliber

Would you listen to Furious Love again? Why?

This book was very entertaining. It covered in great detail the beginning, middle and end of the Taylor-Burton relationship. It is interesting to note that these two might very well be responsible for our present day reality show oriented culture.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoyed both Liz and Richard. She was a real survivor. He comes across as a very interesting, talented but fatally flawed individual.

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first story narrated by Boehmer I listened to. He was perfect for this story.

Insight into MEGAstardom

Would you listen to Furious Love again? Why?

I wouldn't listen to Furious Love again only because I don't think I have ever listened to an audiobook twice.

What did you like best about this story?

It showed the beginning of megastardom and the fascination with the private lives of celebrities even more than their work as actors. Just like reality stars of today (although they had talent) Liz and Dick began to take their stardom more seriously, I think, than their work.

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I havent- but I will say he does a tremendous job. He has a voice for every character. It puts you off for 2 minutes but after listening you really appreciate his enthusiasm for the characters and the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me feel like I was in this 60's world of excess and appreciate how we have changed as a culture. There have always been stars, whether royalty or movie stars- we need them for inspiration, hope, escape.

Great narrator

He does a great Richard Burton impression! Gave their love story the tender hand it deserved!

Narrator makes this work

I loved this book. I might have taken it just as tabloid except for the effective narration. Paul Boehmer manages to "be" both Elizabeth and Richard without resorting to annoying voices. I was particularly struck with the power that Richard had with language which comes through in his letters and the delivery with a deeper voice and a lovely accent.

Entertainingly tragic!

It was a struggle to finish because it was to "bloody" long just to repeat the same horrible behaviors. Most memorable moments where the theatrical word Burton enjoyed using and his journal entrys. Though I have no doubts that he loved "E" as he called Elizabeth Taylor along with so many other names, I also believe that sometimes within that love affair were selfish motives which maybe one of the reasons his specific desire was never accomplished. As for Mrs. E.T. Burton what a sad soul.

Appauling bad narration

I was SO excited about this book, but the little voices that Boehmer does for Burton and Taylor are so offensively bad.... he makes Taylor out as a whiny school girl and Burton (whose voice and wit are arguably his best traits) as weak and soulless. Burton's words (ever the poet) are mangled and rhythmless in Boehmer's rendering.

Unfortunately the sample isn't a sample of the book, but of the opening credits- otherwise I could have avoided this unfortunate purchase.

What a tragic love story.

Couldn't stop listening to this! What a tale of glamour, addiction, talent, ego, excess and passion. If it were fiction, no one would believe this story to be true. Such a pity they were never able to conquer their demons at the same time to make a go of it.

A great tale about passion and glamour.

Did Paul Boehmer do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The book is the one you want to be as quickly as possible to be continued once you have put it aside. It is a good pastime, relaxing and entertaining. Could have had a stronger analysis of the characters but it may have reduce its enjoyment.

Fans of Liz&Dick will like it

I knew nothing about the lives of Liz and Dick, and found it interesting. If you're a great fan, you will probably eat this up. If not, it's an autobiography of two people who didn't blaze any new trails, so not much to be gained from reading it.

I enjoyed it!

The narrator took me a little while to warm up to, but then I liked him a lot. Subtle, good accents. It was wonderful hearing the letters that Richard wrote to Elizabeth, some of them even written when she was in the same room or suite. Enjoyed it.