Happy Accidents

By: Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett - foreword

Narrated by: Jane Lynch, Carol Burnett (foreword)

Length: 7 hrs

Publisher's summary

In the summer of 1974, a 14-year-old girl in Dolton, Illinois, had a dream. A dream to become an actress, like her idols Ron Howard and Vicki Lawrence. But it was a long way from the South Side of Chicago to Hollywood, and it didn’t help that she’d recently dropped out of the school play, The Ugly Duckling, or that the Hollywood casting directors she wrote to replied that "professional training was a requirement".

But the funny thing is, it all came true. Through a series of happy accidents, Jane Lynch created an improbable—and hilarious—path to success. In those early years, despite her dreams, she was also consumed with anxiety, feeling out of place in both her body and her family. To deal with her worries about her sexuality, she escaped in positive ways—such as joining a high-school chorus not unlike the one in Glee—but also found destructive outlets. She started drinking almost every night during her freshman year of high school and developed a mean and judgmental streak that turned her into a real-life Sue Sylvester.

Then, at 31, she started to get her life together. She was finally able to embrace her sexuality, come out to her parents, and quit drinking for good. Soon after, a Frosted Flakes commercial and a chance meeting in a coffee shop led to a role in the Christopher Guest movie Best in Show, which helped her to get cast in The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Similar coincidences and chance meetings led to roles in movies starring Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd, and even Meryl Streep in 2009's Julie & Julia.

Then, of course, came the two lucky accidents that truly changed her life. Getting lost in a hotel led to an introduction to her future wife, Lara. And then a series she’d signed up for abruptly got canceled, making it possible for her to take the role of Sue Sylvester in Glee, which made her a megastar. Today, Jane Lynch has finally found the contentment she thought she’d never have.

Part comic memoir and part inspirational narrative, this is a book equally for the rabid Glee fan and for anyone who needs a new perspective on life, love, and success.

Read by the author, with a foreword written and read by Carol Burnett.

©2011 Canyon Lady Productions (P)2011 Hyperion (packaging elements only)

Critic reviews

"A triumphant memoir recounting the inner struggles of one of the most versatile actresses working today…Achingly sad and sweetly comic at the same time." ( Kirkus)

"[A] frank, engaging, and at times uproariously funny autobiography of a roller-coaster life." ( Vogue)

Loved it!

Loved every minute of this wonderful book! Jane is a natural storyteller and I felt like she was talking directly to me. She’s led a fascinating life and I truly enjoyed hearing about it. I hope she writes another book!

Sweet, benign

Any additional comments?

I give this book five stars because it delivers as promised and the fact that I didn’t like it is rather a reflection of my poor choice in having selected the book (it was on sale) than the quality of the author’s work. Celebrity lives just aren’t all that interesting and even the most talented actors do not necessarily (or likely) have the literary skills to write compelling stories about themselves. After having read some other celebrity memoirs - “Stories I Only Tell My Friends” (Rob Lowe), “The Elephant to Hollywood” (Michael Caine) - I shouldn’t be surprised that this book fell flat for me. “Happy Accidents” follows the predictable formula of many in this genre: the misfit/defiant childhood, insecure adolescence, years as a struggling actor, first break, climb to greatness, and all the wonderful people who helped along the way. If you’re a huge fan of Jane Lynch and have seen most of her work, you’ll probably appreciate her book. If you’re looking for a good piece of literature with novel insights, then you may want to pass on this one.

Much better than I expected

What made the experience of listening to Happy Accidents the most enjoyable?

The entire book: from hearing Carol Burnett's voice as well as Jane's, hearing about Jane's,

What was one of the most memorable moments of Happy Accidents?

Jane meeting her life partner Dr. Lara Embry and her new daughter, Haden.

What about Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) ’s performance did you like?

All of it. Well read/written.

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

All of Jane's experiences.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to,

Truly Enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to Happy Accidents the most enjoyable?

I really loved hearing Jane tell her story with all her animation and honesty, as well as a great story overall.

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

maybe 2 - 3 but you will get through it quick

Well spent time!

Would you listen to Happy Accidents again? Why?

I enjoyed Jane's story- it was interesting, compelling, relatable, humorous, and entertaining.

What did you like best about this story?

My favorite thing about this book was that it was read by the author. It felt like I got to know a new friend.

Which scene was your favorite?

Jane 's childhood was so well described that I felt like I was watching a documentary.

Bravely Honest

If you could sum up Happy Accidents in three words, what would they be?

funny, fascinating, enlightening

What other book might you compare Happy Accidents to and why?

Any other funny lady memoir. It's like a darker Bossy Pants. Or an older Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Probably most similar to Rachel Dratch's A Girl Walks Into A Bar or even Dick Van Dyke's My Lucky Life...

What does Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Obviously you want to hear Jane Lynch's voice when reading her memoir.

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

One moment with her step-daughter which I won't spoil for you. Just in general, her struggles with her sexuality and alcoholism were moving and illuminating.

Any additional comments?

This is the best memoir I've read since Bossypants. Jane Lynch's life is fascinating, lucky, and at times, embarrassing. Definitely worth a read.

Fantastic Read by Jane Lynch

Would you consider the audio edition of Happy Accidents to be better than the print version?

Yes. I started reading the text in a bookstore and realized, wait.... I bet she narrates the audiobook... And she does! and in brilliant fashion. It's funny, smart and touching. You have to hear Ms. Lynch narrate her own story and breathe life in into it! Her narration and delivery (of jokes or anything comedic) are excellent, making the audio production fantastic.

Any additional comments?

The story is fantastic, inspring and entertaining. Lynch's reading of it is just the icing on the cake!

Beautiful story.

Thank you for sharing. Very admirable. I will pass this on to share with others.

I didn't even know I loved Jane Lynch!

What did you love best about Happy Accidents?

Now I do love her. She's so honest--she used to be a bit of a jerk, now she's accepted herself and enjoying life's surprises. A rather smart bildungsroman. This is funny and authentic and makes you think about mistakes you have made, but also makes you think about accepting them and getting on with it.

What other book might you compare Happy Accidents to and why?

Maybe Rachel Dratch? Lynch is less performative and a bit less funny, but more down to earth in a fun way.

Which character – as performed by Jane Lynch and Carol Burnett (foreword) – was your favorite?

Jane. I might even watch Glee now. Definitely Best in Show.

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

Yes--it made a very long road trip relaxing and even reinvigorating.

Any additional comments?

I stole this when it was on sale--it's definitely worth a credit!

Entertaining and endearing

I really enjoyed listening to Jane’s story, especially that she told it, she was a pleasure to hear.