Then Again

By: Diane Keaton

Narrated by: Diane Keaton

Length: 8 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Janet Maslin, The New York Times • People • Vogue

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR —Financial Times • Chicago Sun-Times The Independent • Bookreporter The Sunday Business Post

Mom loved adages, quotes, slogans. There were always little reminders pasted on the kitchen wall. For example, the word THINK. I found THINK thumbtacked on a bulletin board in her darkroom. I saw it Scotch-taped on a pencil box she’d collaged. I even found a pamphlet titled THINK on her bedside table. Mom liked to THINK.

So begins Diane Keaton’s unforgettable memoir about her mother and herself. In it you will meet the woman known to tens of millions as Annie Hall, but you will also meet, and fall in love with, her mother, the loving, complicated, always-thinking Dorothy Hall. To write about herself, Diane realized she had to write about her mother, too, and how their bond came to define both their lives. In a remarkable act of creation, Diane not only reveals herself to us, she also lets us meet in intimate detail her mother. Over the course of her life, Dorothy kept eighty-five journals—literally thousands of pages—in which she wrote about her marriage, her children, and, most probingly, herself. Dorothy also recorded memorable stories about Diane’s grandparents. Diane has sorted through these pages to paint an unflinching portrait of her mother—a woman restless with intellectual and creative energy, struggling to find an outlet for her talents—as well as her entire family, recounting a story that spans four generations and nearly a hundred years.

More than the autobiography of a legendary actress, Then Again is a book about a very American family with very American dreams. Diane will remind you of yourself, and her bonds with her family will remind you of your own relationships with those you love the most.

©2011 Diane Keaton (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“For anyone looking to join one woman’s—albeit a famous woman’s—touching and funny journey into the vortex that is the parent-child relationship, Then Again features an especially honest tour guide.” (USA Today)

“A poem about women living in one another’s not uncomplicated memories. . . . Part of what makes Diane Keaton’s memoir, Then Again, truly amazing is that she does away with the star’s ‘me’ and replaces it with a daughter’s ‘I.’ ” (Hilton Als, The New Yorker)

“Although peek-behind-the-curtain moments are delicious—Woody Allen! Warren Beatty! Jack Nicholson! . . . this is a [memoir] about a mother and a daughter, with insights and confessions and lessons to which all readers can relate.” (The Wall Street Journal)

Wow. A slice of Americana.

Where does Then Again rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Very high due to the story and the narration.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

The audible.com template for my review does not fit the book. Listen to this book. Keaton's narration enhances the experience. As one audible.com reviewer commented: it is like a personal conversation. This is not about a popular, well known star. It is about a slice of America from the 1950s to the present. Keaton brings true emotion to her narration. At times she snorts with candor, at other times her voice seems choked with emotion. It is a story of daughters, siblings, parents, lovers, children. I like Keaton as actress, but would not call myself a fan before the book. Her candor is uncommon. And the juxtaposition of her insights with her mother's journals will stay with me. See the print book, however, for pictures that illustrate the book. The book will stay with me and I felt lost when the recording ended. Like The Help, I felt as if I would have missed the nuances of the story if I had read the print edition. The recording enhanced the stories.

How beautiful....

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

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who wants to get to know this extraordinary woman, her gentle world view, and the love she has for her family. I enjoyed this as much as I did the memoirs of Penny Marshal and Carol Burnett. All three women inspire me with their honesty, humor and kindness.

What did you like best about this story?

I was so inspired and touched by this book that I teared up at the end of most of the chapters. It is simply poetic. That's the best way to put it. And at the last chapter, I hugged my little dachshund and wept like a baby. It was just so well said and read with such heartfelt sincerity. If I could, I would thank Ms. Keaton personally. Read this book everyone. It is outstanding.

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

I just downloaded "Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty" and can't wait to listen.

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

Yes! I played hooky a bit so that I could continue listening. In fact, I'll do so again very soon. The reason I wanted to continue is that Ms. Keaton reminded and taught me the importance of loving my family with acceptance and compassion. Not preachy in any way whatsoever, just a good example of how to embrace all of one's family with both realism and gratitude.....

Any additional comments?

Buy Duke a surfboard. Purchase this book.

Quirky, like the author!

What did you love best about Then Again?

I liked Diane Keaton's reading of her memoir. It was more personable than just reading her words.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Then Again?

Keaton weaves her memories together with journal entries from her mother, so the stories are told from multiple perspectives. It adds a quirky layer to this memoir.

What about Diane Keaton’s performance did you like?

Keaton's performance is outstanding.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Keaton talks about her children and what life is like, I was particularly moved.

Loved it

If you have children or parents, especially aging parents, or both ...read this book. I loved it.

Adult reading.

Would you consider the audio edition of Then Again to be better than the print version?

I don't have time for reading, but I think I may have enjoyed the print version more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dorothy Dean Keaton Hall because she was a truly exceptional person, just like my mom was.

What does Diane Keaton bring to the story that you wouldn???t experience if you just read the book?

Voice and emotion.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Diane talked about how her mom was the most influential person in her life.

Any additional comments?

Not light reading. Sheds light on what it means to be human. Love. Family. Life. Loss.

Touching

Very touching and well told story of the lives of Diane Keaton and her family. Story of living and dying with grace, about motherhood told from a daughter’s and mother’s view. About life and not being afraid to live it because all to soon we find ourselves at its end. Of sisters and brother and brother and sister. Of the dearest of memories, tiny and large and how the littlest of things are what’s really important.

Honest & Insightful

Would you listen to Then Again again? Why?

Yes.

What did you like best about this story?

It's so down to earth and true to life. Probably wouldn't have enjoyed it nearly as much if Diane Keaton herself wasn't narrating.

Which character – as performed by Diane Keaton – was your favorite?

Herself

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

Yes. Couldn't wait to get back to it.

Could not play it on my Ipod

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

The least interesting was not being able to upload it on my IPod. I assume it's a good book though & maybe someday I will be able to hear it.

Glimpse

Really enjoyed this book. I am a fan and loved hearing about her family, all the strengths and struggles. Can't wait to listen to her second book :)

I've listened to this three times now...

I love it. From the story, to Diane's narration... it's everything you'd think a memoir by Diane Keaton would be and more. It's real, it's human, it's a glimpse into the lives surrounding Diane and her own. There's an intimate depth to it that feels like you're listening to an old friend. One of my absolute favorites.