Untied: A Memoir of Family, Fame, and Floundering

This is one book that is complemented by the author reading her own work. Her pleasant, modulated and familiar voice was a pleasure. I have always enjoyed Hollywood insider biographies and this was no exception. Her realization that she is gay is only a small part of the story and far more interesting is her growth as a woman who late in life realizes her worth as a human being. She is a person I would like to know as a friend. She pulls no punches when it comes to describing her relationship with her two ex-husbands. I hope she has a good lawyer.

Like everyone else, I knew Meredith Baxter-Birney from Family Ties and television movies, but this book is a revelation into a real life with real people. She is honest to a fault- and pulls no punches at the trials she has endured as the daughter of a famous mom, an actress, wife, mother, and finally, a happy and fulfilled woman. She reads with true emotion during each chapter of her life and I would highly recommend this book to all. It is interesting, funny, awe-inspiring and sometimes tear-jerking, but always Meredith. One of the best autobios I have ever read. I came away feeling like she was one of my friends; I always admired her as an actress, but now I admire the woman as well.

Meredith Baxter's story is certainly moving and you cannot help but feel sorry for all that she has been through and glad that she has finally found peace and happiness in a relationship. My only criticism is that I thought her reading was a little melodramatic. In trying to convey her feelings to the listener, I think at times, she went a bit over the top.
This takes nothing away from the story itself and other reviewers definitely disagree with me .... it's just my thoughts. I would still highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good autobiography.

Yes, I think it is quite possibly more authentic since it is her story read in her voice, and since she has a voice I like and recognize from the tv is brings a more personal element to it. I felt like I was listening to a friend.

Now I wish I had the book so that I could quickly flip back through and remind myself since it has been weeks since I finished it. Therefore the most memorable moments were the overall feelings of surprise that she was so naive yet I saw her as a role model mom when I was growing up.

No, not aware she had any others.

No, I listen as I walk the dog so that would be a very long walk.

My thanks to Meredith (as we apparently are now on first name basis since I read the book! ha!) for sharing such intimate information about her life. I work with people and their emotions and this will be a book I am sure to recommend. Biographies are a useful tools to learn about people and how they have found their path to success which is so often not the path that people expect. I love the surprise of who I think they are vs who they are through their own eyes. It reinforces how many assumptions we make, good or bad, about people every day. I hear so many young people stating the desire to be famous and feel they really could benefit from knowing the truth behind the characters we see on the screen.

I just listened to this on a very long road trip and loved every minute. I found myself not wanting to stop at rest areas because I didn't want to push pause. Her story is an interesting one and she has written it beautifully. She also has a wonderful voice for reading audiobooks. If you had a neglectful mother or parents who divorced or an abusive spouse or alcohol issues....you will find this very relate-able and her insight is wonderful. I've always liked Meredith, since her Bridget Loves Bernie days, and have followed her career with interest. My admiration for has grown exponentially as a result of listening to this book. I highly recommend it!