The House of Barrymore

By: Margot Peters

Narrated by: Nadia May

This epic family biography begins in the 1860s with Louisa Drew, the greatest comedienne of her time, mother of the brilliant Georgiana Drew Barrymore and mother-in-law of the vaudeville star and matinee idol Maurice Barrymore. But it is the children of Georgie and Maurice who are the heart of the book: Ethel, Lionel, and John, the most extraordinary members of an extraordinary family.

We see Ethel's sensational social and stage debuts in London and on Broadway; her struggle with alcohol, debt, and damaged reputation; and her spectacular comeback in The Corn is Green. We see John's vault to fame in Shakespearean stage roles and his triumphant move to the screen before succumbing to the "Barrymore curse" of addiction to alcohol. And we see the steadier Lionel pursuing his talents in painting and composing before finally capitulating to the family tradition. We see both the price and the privileges of their extraordinary fame; and finally, with the death of Ethel, the decline of America's first family of acting.

©1990 Margot Peters (P)1999 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Peters has made an outstanding contribution to the history of the American theater in her thoroughly readable account of three of its most illustrious artists." ( Library Journal)

great narration, , great author

loved it, well researched, fascinating details of the whole Barrymore legacy. substance abuse plagued their legend

Boring and not very easy listening.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I can't think of anyone.

What could Margot Peters have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Shouldn't jump around with time and people.

How could the performance have been better?

The voice is bland and not very interesting.

What character would you cut from The House of Barrymore?

All of them. They turned out to be very self centered drunks.