In Pieces

By: Sally Field

Narrated by: Sally Field

Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

In this intimate, haunting literary memoir and New York Times Notable Book of the year, an American icon tells her own story for the first time - about a challenging and lonely childhood, the craft that helped her find her voice, and a powerful emotional legacy that shaped her journey as a daughter and a mother.

One of the most celebrated, beloved, and enduring actors of our time, Sally Field has an infectious charm that has captivated the nation for more than five decades, beginning with her first TV role at the age of 17. From Gidget's sweet-faced "girl next door" to the dazzling complexity of Sybil to the Academy Award-worthy ferocity and depth of Norma Rae and Mary Todd Lincoln, Field has stunned audiences time and time again with her artistic range and emotional acuity.

Yet there is one character who always remained hidden: the shy and anxious little girl within. With raw honesty and the fresh, pitch-perfect prose of a natural-born writer, and with all the humility and authenticity her fans have come to expect, Field brings listeners behind-the-scenes for not only the highs and lows of her star-studded early career in Hollywood, but deep into the truth of her lifelong relationships - including her complicated love for her own mother.

Powerful and unforgettable, In Pieces is an inspiring and important account of life as a woman in the second half of the 20th century.

©2018 Sally Field (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Actor Sally Field, who has won two Academy Awards, delivers a powerhouse performance of her first memoir. Her aging timbre doesn't detract from the sensitivity that her personal narration brings to the story of her troubled childhood, early television roles, and ultimate success as a sophisticated and well-modulated actor and producer." (AudioFile)

"Field fuels this aching, lyrical memoir with frankness about her emotional childhood, her conflicted relationship with the late Burt Reynolds, and how acting helped her interpret life in all its pain and beauty." (Entertainment Weekly)

"Field lays it all on the line...In Pieces is an indelible portrait of a woman we all thought we knew." (Auburn Citizen)

Field draws you in then drops you off

I was really enjoying this book...the details, the revelations, the insights Sally shared that were so personal. Then, suddenly, the last quarter of the book was in fast forward and seemed like a summary of the past two decades. Was there a deadline looming? Was she tired of exploring her experience and didn’t want to delve into more recent history? It just ended. Would have loved as much detail as the first three quarters and would have listened to several more hours.

honest, insightful, emotional ... raw, powerful

her raw insight and honesty of her childhood, after math and resiliency is honest and realistic...her adulthood and craft as an actor is enlightening and attention grabbing

Cringe for her childhood, cheer for her grit

What an astonishing listen! Every other "device of deeper distraction" -- my usual fare of Netflix or Amazon shows, a YouTube video, even other podcasts and Audible downloads -- were shoved to the far corner of my life and on and off (it got intense) for three days, Ms Field's and her riveting, nail-biting, journey into the dark nights of her soul and the blazing triumphs of her professional and personal journey as actor, companion, wife, mother and -- most profoundly -- as daughter was her voice in my life.

I know two things: I did kinda think that Burt Reynolds biography was "all hat, no trousers" and Ms Fiield's presents an altogether different version of how we see Mr. Reyholds. Enabler and enabling spring to mind. Decide for yourself.

And Marty Ritt directed my two favorites of her films, Norma Jean and Murphy's Romance. Now that's the next autobiography I want to listen/read as Ms Field's wonderful anecdotes of the making of Norma Jean made me want to know more of how this master craftsman ticks.

Never a favorite of mine: Lee Strasberg. I never took an acting class but kept getting cast in major and minor roles in local and university productions and to my mind, "the method" smacked of malarkey. If one fails their psychiatric medical boards, they can always be an acting coach = Lee Strasberg. Mr Strasberg thought he was God and actually did have a competent, devoted and celebrated following/disciples to prove it. Knowing what she has recounted of her life so far, knowing of her acting career, do listen to her accounts of her many experience of Strasberg exercises and of her final meeting with Strasberg . . . decide for yourself.

The thread which runs so true is her mother and daughter relationship. As many of us are or will be a Mom, a Dad, file her words under "The Best Gift For every Boy or Girl: The Parents who Absolutely, Positively Listens".

Great book

Already a fan of Sally’s work her courage in the making the book is astounding she’s great

Great Book!

What a woman! I love her and her story. Thank you for sharing Sally! Best book ever!

Wow!

I always thought she had it all together, the good life, the happy, brilliant, lovely lady I always imagined her to be. She really went through a lot... like many of us... and not many of us. Yet, her life events probably helped her unleash the emotions, etc making her the fantastic actress she was/is. And inspite of it all, she's still amazing.

loved

I couldnt stop listening! made me cry and smile. I saw pieces of myself and in her and felt every moment so deep in my heart. loved it!

My Life!!!

Amazing!! I cried, laughed, I felt anger and all other emotions. It was my life!! Ish..... minus the actress part. I thought I was the only one in life who grew up in that type of household the only one who didn’t fit in the only one who was standoffish. I can relate 100% thank you Sally! I felt it, I lived it, I loved it

I can see myself in her

gripping..
i couldn't stop listening..
intense story of a person, not just a movie star

Easy to listen to and keep interseted in

Interesting to hear about Sally Field's life. Easy to listen to. and it kept me interested.