A Paper Life

By: Tatum O'Neal

Narrated by: Tatum O'Neal

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Filled with stunning revelations, here is the sensational memoir of one of Hollywood's most talented and troubled stars - an inspirational true tale of survival and triumph against all odds

Though she has shunned the media spotlight, Academy Award-winning actress Tatum O'Neal at last goes on the record to tell her story - a tale of personal turmoil and ultimate triumph that is part Hollywood tell-all, part Greek tragedy, and part Shakespearean drama.

In her trademark no-holds-barred style, she names names as she chronicles the ups and downs of being Hollywood royalty, including:

• her nearly fatal addiction to drugs
• her destructive relationships with mother, the late actress Joanna Moore; her famously overbearing and flamboyant father, Ryan O'Neal and his former longtime live-in love, Farrah Fawcett; and her wildly explosive ex-husband, international tennis pro John McEnroe
• her early years - a time of tubulence, loneliness, and abuse - as a virtual orphan forced to raise herself and her "Irish twin", younger brother, Griffin
• her explosive, untold stories of the top figures in pop culture and sports

Ultimately, we see the emergence of an extremely gifted, spirited, and intelligent woman - the ultimate survivor who is a role model to all women.

©2004 Tatum O'Neal (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"In this honest, disturbing memoir, O'Neal...reveals the behind-the-scenes story of her lonely, chaotic life." (Publishers Weekly)

Compelling life story

Compelling life story filled with highs and lows, tragedy and loneliness. Left me wanting to listen more.

Tatum

This was my first audible and wasn't sure if I would enjoy the concept but thought I would try this book first. What I enjoyed most about it was actually hearing Tatum's voice as she told her thoughts and feelings of events in her life. I felt them as she said them and visualized it more than if someone else read it out loud or if I read the book myself..

Good read

I really enjoyed this. I found Tatum’s voice to be extremely soothing. She showed us her vulnerable side. She showed passion, humor and regret. How can anybody fault that? Her relationship with her father is definitely a rocky one. I read his book 1st, and then I read this one because I wanted to hear the different sides. There are three sides to every story and somewhere lies the truth. From reading her book and Ryan’s book it left me thinking.

Crazy life!

Felt bad for Tatum so many times throughout this book . I couldn’t stop listening though. I don’t like Ryan O’Neal at all! The stories about him during her childhood and into adulthood are horrifying.

Her Childhood Shadows, Tatum O’Neal

I’ve just finished A Paper Life. This is a story about a young beautiful child who was raised by parents
who were so self absorbed they had no idea how to connect with their own children.
By not focusing on she and her brother, Griffin, they were caste out into the world without any tools to protect themselves.
So sad to read, it’s nearly impossible to not tear up over and over. But Tatum has overcome her childhood and marriage to a man named John who , it turns out, was no better than her abusive father.
Do I sound angry? Yes and you will be too.
It’s a lesson in how not to treat your children
or anyone for that matter.
Tatum, Griffin and Redmond, have survived so far.
Hopefully the truth of Love will win.

Love the book....BUT

Would you listen to A Paper Life again? Why?

No, although I loved the book.

What did you like best about this story?

Her story. That against all the odds she is still going strong and trying to love life and live clean. I admire her.

How could the performance have been better?

If it had been narrated by someone else.

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

Her perseverance throughout her life amazed me.

Any additional comments?

The book should not have been narrated by Tatum. It was very distracting the way she narrated. You could also tell she was reading it like a script. It would have been so much more enjoyable if narrated by someone else. I love Tatum and believe her story but she should stick to acting. Narrating a book and acting on screen are I believe two very different talents.

Better than expected.

Well written and well read, I was surprised to find the story so introspective and insightful with a surprising lack of anger or bitterness. After decades of reading about the childish temper tantrums and antics of her father and her husband I was curious about Tatum's life at this point. Her honesty about her drug addiction and efforts to overcome it impressed me. I hope life keeps getting better for her.

Very good book.

Interesting and honest look into the life of Tatum. Her struggles and pain are hard to listen to at times. Having so much in the way of fame, but really having so little

How strong and aware she is and being so young.

The story is moving in every way imaginable. as a child dealing with parental dismissal having to take care of a sibling who's nearly the same age. Repeatedly being abused by her parents and then her husband. It's no wonder she chose drugs to escape. Hitting rock bottom and nearly losing everything. hoping she can surround herself with beautiful-hearted people like herself who have the best interest in mind for her future.

A great listen

You always hear about a young child, actor or actress having a very tortured existence. It’s wonderful when there is a good outcome,