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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
"A person is a person first and a story second," writes former child-actor Mara Wilson. Like many people, Matilda was one of the defining books (and movies) of my childhood. It embodied the idea that anti-conformity takes courage but is still worthwhile, family comes from unexpected places, and books are the greatest source of wealth. As a result of the film adaptation, I either wanted to be or befriend Mara Wilson, just a few years older than me. Since then, Mara has chosen different mediums beyond the screen, creating content for websites, social media, and comedy, voice acting for Welcome to Night Vale, and now writing a book! She truly is a captivating, funny storyteller, with narratives about playing spin the bottle at charity camp, being charmed by Robin Williams and Danny DeVito, and happily fading into obscurity. Though she does reveal insights about her past life in the spotlight, which she dubs the "Matilda whore complex," she shines when intimately discussing the importance of mental health and her relationships with built-in best friends, her siblings. She is living her best life now, and her stories are authentic and special. My idea of Mara Wilson is nothing compared to the person of Mara Wilson, but I am content in knowing her just a bit more through this collection of stories.
I loved listening to Mara Wilson tell her story the chapter on Robin Williams made me want to cry! But I have always wondered what happened to her this was an amazing book!
This book isn't particularly interesting and I know it's pretty harsh to say since it's her actual life. I commend Mara Wilson for her willingness to share so much but the book really didn't speak to me. The entire time I felt like she was listing off cool facts, like when asked in classes to uncomfortable tell everyone something interesting about oneself, instead of creating and sharing her personality, who she is as a person. The entire book felt like that last scene, where she's telling her audience a story and hoping for some, any kind of, reaction and is just not getting anything. Don't get me wrong, I did feel things: sadness for her family and childhood, understanding for her disorder, nostalgia for that character we all know but ultimately, I don't feel like I got to know her. (And I listened to her read the book.) And the purpose of this book probably wasn't for me to actually know her – she's a public figure and I'm honored with what she did decide to explain and share.
Update: I completely forgot to talk about how I could not sympathize with her adult life. "I didn't go out in college so I couldn't relate to anyone knowing a club where you can dance" or "Ugh, hipsters." I mean, I don't want to discount how much she points out she knew she was different from other people but it sort of comes off as a complaining that she can't relate to people without actually wanting to try to connect with them.
Update: I completely forgot to talk about how I could not sympathize with her adult life. "I didn't go out in college so I couldn't relate to anyone knowing a club where you can dance" or "Ugh, hipsters." I mean, I don't want to discount how much she points out she knew she was different from other people but it sort of comes off as a complaining that she can't relate to people without actually wanting to try to connect with them.
So apparently it took me 10 days to read this book. That is a triumph in itself, cause usually it takes me longer to read. But this book is one of the most emotionally impactful books I've read in years. I've known about Mara Wilson since I was young, mainly through Matilda, but throughout my life she has continued to appear, such as in Nostalgia Critic's review of Thomas the train engine. It was cool seeing her grown up, and still seeing that was she writing and overall generally happy than I heard acting made her. It was really a breath of fresh air reading someone with a similar thought pattern to yours. She has a lot of anxiety, thoughts about death and overall stupid worries that make sense to only her but not anyone else. Its nice how she ends the book on a note of just letting the readers know its okay to mess up, and that we will do it a lot. She is around my age, so its comforting to here the musings of someone in a similar age and thought process group. She has a dark sense of humor, but overall she's very funny and not afraid to show her heartbreak. She has set out to become what she always wanted: to be fearless, and a badass. I recommend it.
Wilson has given us an moving and insightful first essay collection. There where parts that I loved, but overall it seems that Wilson is still finding her voice. I'm looking forward to seeing her grow as a writer.
unfortunately, I was expecting something more witty, fun and overall captivating. but that wasn't the case. I was mostly bored and tuned out *sighs*
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/08/27/book-review-163-where-am-i-now-true-stories-of-girlhood-and-accidental-fame-by-mara-wilson/
full review here: https://catshelf.wordpress.com/2017/08/27/book-review-163-where-am-i-now-true-stories-of-girlhood-and-accidental-fame-by-mara-wilson/
Mara Wilson's memoir is a collection of essays that are thoughtful, warm, compelling, and real. Yes, I am one of probably thousands of people who hear the name Mara Wilson and think of "Matilda" or "Mrs. Doubtfire." The memoir addresses her acting career, and there is a very poignant piece about Robin Williams. But what struck me is how small a chapter acting is in Wilson's life. It was interesting to hear about her writing plays and stories, going to college, growing up in Burbank, and so on. The audiobook is warmly narrated by the author. Enjoyed this a lot.
This book was too raw and emotional to be accurately likened to a hug, but it really nestled its way into my heart. And, really, what more could you ask for?
(PS, I love you, Mara)
(PS, I love you, Mara)
Heart-warming and charming. There was a lot I could relate to, and a lot that made me tear up. Great on audio.
If possible, I admire Mara Wilson even more than I did before. The whole time reading her book, I wanted to tell her I'm so much like her and I want to be her friend. She writes about grief so well which is something I can definitely relate to her about. Also, so many props to her to being open about her struggles with her anxiety and OCD. Mara is awesome and her book is touching, hilarious, heartbreaking, and a must read.