What Falls Away

De: Mia Farrow

Narrado por: Mia Farrow

In an exquisitely written memoir, Mia Farrow introduces us to the landscapes of her extraordinary life. Moving from her earliest memories of the walled gardens and rocky shores of western Ireland and her Hollywood childhood to her career as an actress, she writes of these experiences and her struggle to protect her children in a painful custody battle with Woody Allen. It was this crisis that led her to reflect upon the incidents that had brought her to a place so incomprehensible. Now, in What Falls Away, a memoir resonant not only in its honesty but also in its beautifully crafted prose, Mia Farrow speaks for the first time.

She was born the third of seven children to the beautiful actress Maureen O'Sullivan and successful writer/director John Farrow, but the isolation of a polio ward brought her childhood to an abrupt end at the age of 9. Several years later, two deaths shattered the security of the family forever, and Mia Farrow embarked upon a journey that would lead her away from the convent education that was to sustain her spiritual courage, to starring roles in Peyton Place and Rosemary's Baby, a marriage to Frank Sinatra, divorce, a defining trip to India, work on the London stage and in film, and marriage to André Previn. Their life together in England brought them three sons and three daughters before that marriage, too, dissolved and she returned to the United States.

The year 1979 saw the beginning of a new career with brilliant performances in 13 of Woody Allen's most distinguished films.

Told with grace and deep understanding, as well as humor, What Falls Away goes beneath the surface of this amazing life, with all its drama, success, and pain, and exposes the inner workings of a mind and spirit for whom truth, compassion, and faith are essential.

Mia Farrow's story is ultimately one of hope and courage in the face of difficulty; of commitment to others - most important of whom are her children; and of spiritual strength. Listeners will not easily forget this remarkable book, even long after the last word has been spoken.

©1997 Mia Farrow (P)1997 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Fascinating

Even if you don't really know who Mis Farrow is, you're sure to know some of her friends! This was a gripping look at the life of someone who never knew any life but Hollywood from childhood, but is a sincerely is a nice person.

Excellent. Fascinating with heavy themes.

interesting telling of Ms. Farrow's journey. Recommended. She is a commendable and likable soul whose story is very worth telling.

creepy Woody Allen

I hated how creepy Woody Allen was throughout the time that Mia Farriw knew him. He was disgusting and Narcissistic. Mia was so tolerant for so long. She is a Saint to put up with him as long as she did. Mia is also a Saint for adopting all if those kids.

An Eye Opener

Fascinating!! I listened to the story over 2 days and was thoroughly riveted. She is honest to a degree of 'brutality'. In many ways Mia Farrow is at once both naive and worldly. Both stupid and wise. I felt sympathy for her situation and anger at her failures to recognise what was going on and put a stop to it. I have come away with an impression of a person who is a thorough example of a 'human being' with all our many facets of being. None of us are perfect and we will all approach situations differently. I have formed the opinion that she is a 'kind' person who was dealing with a situation way outside her experience, and with hindsight may have done better (as we all could). A thoroughly good autobiography well worth listening to. Highly recommended.

Narrator change in the middle of the book

Any additional comments?

It was quite jarring to hear a new narrator in the middle of the book. Why did Mia Farrow stop reading and allow another narrator to take over? I can't find any explanation for it.

What a life

This woman’s life from her birth, childhood, youth was 🤐. From meeting the Beatles at a meditation camp to being Frank Sinatra’s partner and doing a million movies with Woody Allen. Her biological kids and adopted kids. I also downloaded Woody’s memoir to compare stories but I believe her. People call her crazy and a bunch of other things. This was an interesting one sure. She reads very fast at times and monotone but the content is very engaging.

Beautiful

Thank you. Thank you, Mia. This is a beautiful book. Thank you for writing it.

Such a fascinating life.

Mia's life story is remarkable. Her writing is superb.
She embodies loving kindness & wisdom.

Why the shift?

I read this book when it was first released and then got the audibook because Mia was credited as the narrator. Like all of her performances, her narration is stellar. And then the shift. The new narrator introduces herself but the speech pattern is so poor, I did not get the name - even after playing it 7 times. My guess is that Mia did not want to recount that part of her story...? I just wish there had been some warning - like a credit for the co-narrator or some sentence from audible in the description that another narrator finishes the book, et cetera. While the new narrator does an awful job, the story is so well written I still recommend it. After reading this book, Woody's book, and seeing the HBO documentary - I lost one of my icons. I admired Woody's movies, books, and enjoyed his talent as a musician - that fell away for me. As a survivor of sexual abuse by a family member, this story resonates more than I can describe. my respect and admiration is what fell away for me. I tried to watch Manhattan and the two Rose movies and I felt nothing but anger and shame. I am glad (maybe that is the wrong word) that Mia was able to share this story.

Compelling story

Fascinating story of growing up in Hollywood with all the perks and downsides of having famous parents. Her young move to acting and a career was interesting with her marriages but the most interesting was the film and living situation with Woody Allen.