Boys in the Trees

A Memoir

By: Carly Simon

Narrated by: Carly Simon

Length: 13 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Simon's memoir reveals her remarkable life, beginning with her storied childhood as the third daughter of Richard L. Simon, the cofounder of publishing giant Simon & Schuster; her musical debut as half of The Simon Sisters, performing folk songs with her sister, Lucy, in Greenwich Village; to a meteoric solo career that would result in 13 top 40 hits, including the number-one song "You're So Vain". She was the first artist in history to win a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, for her song "Let the River Run" from the movie Working Girl.

The memoir recalls a childhood enriched by music and culture but also one shrouded in secrets that would eventually tear her family apart. Simon brilliantly captures moments of creative inspiration, the sparks of songs, and the stories behind writing "Anticipation" and "We Have No Secrets", among many others. Romantic entanglements with some of the most famous men of the day fueled her confessional lyrics as well as the unraveling of her storybook marriage to James Taylor.

Includes original music composed especially for the program by Carly Simon and Teese Gohl plus a previously unreleased bonus song from Carly Simon.

©2015 Carly Simon (P)2015 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Carly Simon exuberantly narrates her memoir, which reads like a history of rock and roll from the 1970s onward. Simon's warm and personal style sounds as if she's telling her story directly to each listener." ( AudioFile)

Beautifully told with Carly's music.

Beautifully written and narrated by Carly Simon. The book is scored to many of the songs she's written, thanks to the genius of Ken Burns. The music and lyrics enhance the story Carly shares. Interesting insight into her relationship with James Taylor--not the easiest man to love or live with. One of the best audio books I've ever listened to. This particular book demonstrates the power of an audio book over the printed version. So many feelings and subtleties are conveyed to paint a more vivid account of the events in her life. After all the years have past since her divorce from Taylor, you can see that Carly still has a place in her heart for James Taylor.

best audio book ever heard and i have listen to over 50

This is a 10 the reading with music more musician should read this before they audio a book totally amazing

A Musical Treat

I really loved Carly Simon’s memoir! Hats off to her for writing such a personal, revealing look back at that earlier part of her life when so many of us followed her and loved her music. I was initially drawn to the book for that reason, and I did thoroughly enjoy all the inside peeks at her world and that of quite a few other famous rock and roll stars.

At first I though her writing was perhaps not very good, BUT I came to appreciate her style, and I really liked it by the end. Some parts of the book seem to be written almost like a song – with a poetic twist. She is a song-writer, after all! I listened to the Audible version which had musical interludes accompanying many sections, and so I felt at times like I was listening to an ethereal, musical poetry reading or a piece of performance art. I came to love that. I heard at the end of the book that it was Ken Burns who gave her the idea for adding in the musical parts. That was a good collaboration.

My friends often make fun of me because I like to listen to books at double speed. Well, for this one I finally decided to slow it down because I wanted to enjoy the performance art aspect of it. Some of those sections were really moving, I thought. Here is one section (from Chapter 13, starting at location 2498 on my Kindle) that was set to a sort of slow rock beat that became mesmerizing. It can’t seem as good without the accompanying music, but here it is anyway. I think it’s 1970. Carly has been given an all-access pass to see the Rolling Stones, and is on stage behind the speakers. That is exciting in and of itself! She has already described the surge of excitement and energy that swept everyone in the theater as the strobe lights flashed and the song began.
“I was born in a crossfire hurricane,” then….

“Onstage, in between songs, Mick turned my way, but didn’t look at me once. Sometimes he wiped his face with a towel. Sometimes he took a swallow of some clear liquid. Wearing a long-sleeved brown T-shirt with an inverted gold horseshoe blazing across the chest, he never stopped moving, never stopped interacting with Keith, like two young trees being tossed around in a tropical wind.

There was no question that seeing Mick was the birth of something powerful in me: I remember I wanted to be a dancer, one who was watched. One who was tan, tan on the inside too, so tan that it pervaded my personality. One who ran into the water unafraid. Tan, running into the waves, perfectly lit and observed by everyone who had ever denied me anything, anyone who had ever made a black mark on my self-esteem. When I danced, trying to be Mick who was trying to imitate James Brown, I felt a lightness in my being and a strong appreciation of my long-limbed movements. It was not the dancing I was used to. It reminded me of the teenagers at Windy Gates, running down the cliffs, as if they’d never seen a mirror, only hazy reflections of themselves in the ocean as they ran into it, naked and laughing.”

Another aspect of the book that stood out in my mind was that Carly’s relationship with James Taylor was almost like an icon or symbol of an age-old struggle between men and women – the wandering man who loses interest; the desperate woman trying anything to hold on and loving life as a family. It is so sad to hear about her struggle and her strong and enduring love for James Taylor as the relationship slowly slips away from her.

Of course, I’m nothing like Carly Simon in most ways, however I felt like I’d had the same type of relationship! Therefore the book made me really sad during the last half. Everyone already knows that it’s not going to last with James, so all the stories immediately become so bittersweet.

I thought the ending was sweet and hopeful as well. She talks about the house they shared together and uses it as a symbol of their whole life together as she describes how it is today. She still lives in the house, and it’s a part of her, just as she’s integrated James into the fabric of her life as she moves on beyond him. “How can she not love the person who is the father of her two beautiful children?” she asks. It seems sad but sweet to me. She’s on to a new start as the book finishes. I loved that.

Loved it!e

Welcome to the real Carly Simon -warts and all! To become the superstar she is in spite of a speech impediment, her constant struggle to fit in and parents too involved in their own affairs to be there for her, her great capacity for love and awesome talent won out. Based upon her journals and diaries over the years, she gives you a true and bold account of the 70's and 80's music scene.

The Music...

I bought this memoir because I love Carly Simon’s voice and she was the narrator. It didn’t disappoint. Ken Burns was right, Carly. The music ... was enchanting. The book, for me was sad but beautiful.

Excellent Memoir

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

Yes! This memoir was so beautifully written and Carly did an amazing job narrating it. The emotional journey Carly had in her life was so incredibly moving. The heartache she endured while married to (and after) James Taylor made my heart ache for her. Her life is fascinating with so much sadness over her relationships with her parents and her loves. Thank goodness she has two wonderful children and sisters in her life.

What does Carly Simon bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Loved her singing and the emotion in her voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The same as the book

Honest and Passionate

I loved Carly 's passion for life, music and James. She had her own way to express her thoughts that came across with humility and passion for life. I was riveted to her this special story of this special lady.

Wow!

I found this story to be very compelling - couldn't stop listening until it was finished. It was just so real.

Interesting to hear her inside story

Didn't know much about her story except broad strokes. Was interesting to fill in the smaller details.

Pure Honest Lovely Carly

I enjoyed reading this book from the beginning to the end. And it was even better listening to Ms Simon read with her heart and soul. Thank you Carly❤️