And Furthermore

Bought on Audible

What I Loved: Dame Judi Dench is one of those rare famous people that just don't strike you as famous at all. All of her stories reflect her beautiful personality and sparkling humor. She shares stories about her theater plays (of which you can clearly tell is her acting love and something she plans on doing until she cannot anymore), her time in movies, and her family. The best parts are how she speaks so lovingly of friends and family that she has had many years. She forms real bonds with people she works with and many of them have become life long friends. When she speaks of her family, you can tell her love overflowing and that makes you smile! Judi has really lead a very rich and wonderful life that I am so glad that she has shared with us.

What I Liked: She told stories about people you knew (Maggie Smith *squee*) and even people you did not. She brought you into the story so that you smiled when she smiled and got tears in your eyes during the sadder parts.

Complaints: None

Audiobook Review: Judi Dench does the forward of the audiobook then turns it over to her friend Samantha Bond. She does a wonderful job of telling Judi's stories! So much so that after a while you forget that you aren't listening to Judi herself.

Why I Gave it a 4: This is a wonderful addition to books about Judi Dench and I love that this one was from her. I wanted it to be longer but she covered so much of her career that she had to be exhausted at the end.

Who I would recommend this too: Fans of Dame Judi Dench

Pity that Judi herself only gives us a welcome to the book which is read by one of her closest friends. Other than that, a delightful account of the life of one of our era's most talented--and honest--performers.

It was well performed, and diverting, but as Dench herself says in the introduction, this isn't really a memoir, but a smattering of stories that didn't make it into her earlier books. As a result, as neat as the stories are, they come across as minor and largely forgettable moments.

Certainly. She's a fascinating person. I'd be interested in getting her perspective on the theatre, on film, on women in the arts, and so on... but I'd like something more "meaty" than random anecdotes, though.

Not sure, but I was tickled by her accent for American characters.

As something to listen to while walking the dog... yes.

Its a shame that Judi Dench's other autobiography isn't available yet, because this volume, while satisfying on some levels, really lacks the depth an autobiography should have. It is meant as an addendum to her other autobiography and really reads as such. So if you are going to delve into this book its best to be a true Judi Dench lover or have read her other autobiography prior to reading this volume.

That said, Dame Dench still has lots of great stories and insights into the theatre and film industry and her own life in this book. I loved it for what it was and hopefully you can too.

I absolutely loved this book. Judi Dench's body of work is staggering. Her attitude towards life is amazing. The book is funny, interesting (especially for theater lovers), sad, blunt, honest, and so fun and uplifting. I felt like I wanted to sing and dance or spend the weekend watching great artistic plays or films after reading this book.

I highly recommend it.

This was delightful light listening, a little peek into the personality of this treasure of an actress. Ms. Bond's delivery made it seems as though Dame Judi was the one speaking.

No big finish. More like the end of a chapter with more to come later.

Not really applicable in this case.

Probably not appropriate material for a movie. Not plot driven, just reminiscences.

I would be interested in other Judi Densch autobiographies and also in other audios by Samantha Bond.

What a pleasant story of the life of Dame Judi. I loved her before, and I love her even more now. Her comittment to her family first, and then her craft are inspiring.

Unless you are a very avid theater goer and like a bit of gossip, you can skip this book. I found it dull.

Just love her for the wonderful character actor she is. This book is largely a list of performances throughout her career.

This is a memoir mostly of Judi Dench's career, with a reasonable bit of family background and an epilogue describing her warmup ritual. It zips by, with much of the time spent listing the casts of plays she performed in. (She must have saved all the playbills.) You'll learn about her friendships with other actors and her experiences receiving awards and accolades. You can even try to read between the lines as she describes her work as M in the Bond films. There are a couple of paragraphs about her work on “As Time Goes By,” but probably not enough for fans of that series. All in all, it's light and personable and will add to your enjoyment of her work. It's not a tell-all or a master class in acting.