I'll Drink to That

A Life in Style, with a Twist

By: Betty Halbreich, Rebecca Paley

Narrated by: Jane Curtin

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

A classic tale of personal transformation amid a stunning backdrop of old world glamour and current high style, Betty Halbreich moves from a trapped woman to a ferociously independent icon.

Eighty-six-year-old Betty Halbreich is a true original. A tough broad who could have stepped straight out of Stephen Sondheim's repertoire, she has spent nearly 40 years as the legendary personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, where she works with socialites, stars, and ordinary women off the street. She has helped many find their true selves through clothes, frank advice, and her own brand of wisdom. She is trusted by the most discriminating persons - including Hollywood's top stylists - to tell them what looks best. But Halbreich's personal transformation from a cosseted young girl to a fearless truth teller is the greatest makeover of her career.

A Chicago native, Halbreich moved to Manhattan at 20 after marrying the dashing Sonny Halbreich, a true character right out of Damon Runyon who liked the nightlife of New York in the '50s. On the surface, they were a great match, but looks can be deceiving; an unfaithful Sonny was emotionally distant while Halbreich became increasingly anguished. After two decades, the fraying marriage finally came undone. Bereft without Sonny and her identity as his wife, she attempted suicide.

Meticulous, impeccable, hardworking, elegant, and - most of all - delightfully funny, Halbreich has never been afraid to tell it to her clients straight. She won't sell something just to sell it. If an outfit or shoe or purse is too expensive, she'll dissuade you from buying it. As Halbreich says, "There are two things nobody wants to face: their closet and their mirror." She helps women do both, every day.

©2014 Betty Halbreich and Rebecca Paley (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Betty was born to sail through people's lives telling them what to wear (and even what to do). The other day I overheard her chatting with a client, 'Oh, she's been my friend for 35 years, and she's only 30.' Lines like that are good enough for George Cukor. The whole scanrio is. Maybe she's known that all these years. Fashion is not only about necessity but also a form of entertainment - and that is what Betty sells." (Isaac Mizrahi, fashion designer)

A Timeless Memoir

I loved this book!! Full of Americana reminiscence, narrative honesty of a less than perfect life and a classy reminder of how beautiful, gracious ladies come in all shapes and sizes.
Betty, inspires young and hold to keep going and to in the best version of oneself. A must read for all woman who want reach beyond the looking glass and behold their true beauty.

Nice and interesting read

It was an easy to listen to book. She recounts her life and the challenges she faced. It would help if you like fashion and clothes to get full enjoyment out of this book. Clothes are a part of her passion and so they are mentioned a lot, however, it makes sense when you read about her childhood.

I admired how she was able to move on after she had a mental breakdown. Also, how she didn't try to hide the fact.

Throughout the story although she recounts her relationships with her family and you get a sense that even though they weren't perfect she stayed positive. She endured a lot of loss, but always tried to stay busy and get through things the best way she could..

It's an interesting pleasant listen.

The narration was fantastic.

Her honesty & authenticity

Great read if you’re going thru a life transition & have an interest in looking great while going thru it. I wish l’d known her.

Simply loved it!

An honest and inspiring story brilliantly told and delivered! Thank you Ms. Halbreich and Ms. Curtain!

Liked it.

It was Better than I expected. Relaxing and Pleasant. Worth my time and in my busy life nice to take I the time!

Inspiring

I loved this book
I didn’t think I could relate to the subject matter but the story is for everyone
It is about adapting to life’s hard times and coming out better than before

Very different

Where does I'll Drink to That rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 90 percentile.

What did you like best about this story?

An autobiography about a real woman that found her niche and in doing so, allowed herself to grow. It is a reality story that makes each of us feel extraordinary.

Have you listened to any of Jane Curtin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the first book read by Jane Curtain that I have heard. The performance ranks up there with the best narrators and I will look for other works that she performs.

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

This is reality!

Any additional comments?

A couple of places dragged towards the latter part of the book, but not by much!!

Interesting and fun

I loved the book. It made me long for my youth and to work retail.

Betty tells it like it is...

If you love fashion...if you love Bergdorf Goodman...and if you love a woman with guts, you will enjoy this memoir from Betty. She is no-nonsense and talks about her famed career at BG...where she remains! I enjoyed this book...and Jane Curtain is a great narrator.

Lovely

A lovely listen. It's very interesting to hear the point of view of someone who is so different than myself however, in some ways we are exactly the same.

Four stars for the story- at some points I felt it was repetitive but don't let that stop you from listening if the subject interests you.