My Extraordinary Ordinary Life

By: Sissy Spacek

Narrated by: Sissy Spacek

Length: 9 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

In her delightful and moving memoir, Sissy Spacek writes about her idyllic, barefoot childhood in a small East Texas town, with the clarity and wisdom that comes from never losing sight of her roots. Descended from industrious Czech immigrants and threadbare southern gentility, she grew up a tomboy, tagging along with two older brothers and absorbing grace and grit from her remarkable parents, who taught her that she could do anything. She also learned fearlessness in the wake of a family tragedy, the grief propelling her "like rocket fuel"; to follow her dreams of becoming a performer.

With a keen sense of humor and a big-hearted voice, she describes how she arrived in New York City one star-struck summer as a 17-year-old carrying a suitcase and two guitars; and how she built a career that has spanned four decades with films such as Carrie, Coal Miner's Daughter, 3 Women, and The Help. She details working with some of the great directors of our time, including Terrence Malick, Robert Altman, David Lynch, and Brian De Palma - who thought of her as a no-talent set decorator until he cast her as the lead in Carrie. She also reveals why, at the height of her fame, she and her family moved away from Los Angeles to a farm in rural Virginia.

Whether she's describing the terrors and joys of raising two talented, independent daughters, taking listeners behind the scenes on Oscar night, or meditating on the thrill of watching a pair of otters frolicking in her pond, Sissy Spacek's memoir is poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, plainspoken and utterly honest. My Extraordinary Ordinary Life is about what matters most: the exquisite worth of ordinary things, the simple pleasures of home and family, and the honest job of being right with the world. "If I get hit by a truck tomorrow," she writes, "I want to know I've returned my neighbor's cake pan."

©2012 Sissy Spacek (P)2012 Hyperion (packaging elements only)

Critic reviews

" My Extraordinary Ordinary Life is the book version of Sissy: warm, heartfelt, and very real. Perhaps most remarkable is that Sissy's life-from the ordinary experiences of growing up in and raising a close-knit family to the extraordinary thrills of starring in some of the most iconic roles in Hollywood-unfolds as gracefully on the page as it does on the big screen and, as all of her readers will soon learn, in everyday life." (Kathryn Stockett, New York Times best-selling author of The Help)
" My Extraordinary Ordinary Life describes a remarkable woman's journey from a baton-twirling East Texas gal to an Academy-Award winning star. Sissy Spacek tells her story with warmth and grace, never straying far from the small-town roots that shaped her." (Jeannette Walls, best-selling author of The Glass Castle and Half Broke Horses)
"[A] warm narrative...Like a folk song, Spacek's storytelling is tender and unhurried." ( Publishers Weekly)

Fresh look back....

Would you consider the audio edition of My Extraordinary Ordinary Life to be better than the print version?

Sissy Spacek reading her own words about her life with her warm Texas accent, enthusiasm, and delight is an experience not to be missed.

What did you like best about this story?

I was taken into her past, felt at home in the town where she grew up, and adventured with her when she went to New York. It was as though she took my hand and showed me the years and events of her life. What I found extraordinary was her sunny and cheerful attitude about everything that happened. And to my astonishment, when I came to the end of the story, I realized she had not said a single mean thing, not a catty comment, not a disparaging word of anyone. What remarkable generosity of spirit! I loved being in her world because even when sorrow struck, there was no pity, just heartache and grit, moving on but never forgetting..... nice to learn some of these lessons again...

I love Sissy Spacek even more.

This Audible was the reason I signed up. I wanted to hear her story..knowing she's from Texas(my homestate).
I couldnt get enough from start to finish...a remarkable life!!

Beautifully Told

Thank you, Sissy, for sharing the gift of your story. I've listened to your narration of To Kill a Mockingbird numerous times and chose this selection just to continue hearing your voice. Little did I know that it would connect and resonate so warmly. Truly a gift.

Wow, what an interesting person!

What made the experience of listening to My Extraordinary Ordinary Life the most enjoyable?

Loved that she narrated the book herself. She sounded so genuine and excited about things

What did you like best about this story?

Her genuine and upbeat tone. It sounded like she had as much fun reading it as she did living it

Which scene was your favorite?

Wow, tough to say. Since I am a romantic, I really liked that she knew that Jack Fisk was "the one" immediately

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

No, I liked listening to it in different sections

Any additional comments?

My only criticism is that the audio quality wasn't so great - sounded like she recorded it in a room with hard walls (sound bounced off, kind of echoed), but in a way, this added to the folksy-ness

A window into her life....

What did you love best about My Extraordinary Ordinary Life?

listening to Sissy speak about her own life

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

her mothers quote- you have the greatest gift, just by being you, you can make someone else happy, just a smile or autograph..... remember this in your own life.... the corollary to the random act of kindness...

What a great treat!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely- anyone who is a fan of Sissy Spacek and her movies will enjoy this book- which takes the listener from Sissy's childhood through her successes in Hollywood and most importantly her biggest achievements- finding a great partner and raising 2 talented children.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved Sissy as a young adult making her way in NYC!

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed the chapters of her knocking on doors and trying to get an audition.

Loved it

I loved learning more about one of my favorite actresses from her own words and hope to meet her some day.

Love, love, loved it.

What a wonderful life and sweet extraordinary lady she is. I live in the area she grew up so was extra special following her and her families life in TX and beyond.

A very endearing story

Thanks Sissy your book is as wonderful as you are. You’re the best narrator I know and love to listen to. Keep doing more! ❤️

Sweet memoir

I loved taking this trip with Sissy through her life. There’s nothing heavy here. Just an enjoyable journey with a sweet human being.