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Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep by Erin Carlson
thebooklifeofkk's review against another edition
5.0
As a die-hard fan of Meryl Streep, I had to read this book. It was like having a nice long conversation with an old friend who shares the same views and ideas. I felt like I got to know more about Meryl Streep than what was in Wikipedia. Carlson has done an incredible job in getting to know the legend and put it out so beautifully in words for us. There is a perfect balance between early life and her career. It talks about her iconic roles, her hits, and flops, roles that evaded her and relationships with her colleagues in the show business.
Favorite Quote: "She was born to be bold. She was born to be brave. She was born to be a light in the darkness."
Also, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Hachette Books for the advanced eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite Quote: "She was born to be bold. She was born to be brave. She was born to be a light in the darkness."
Also, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Hachette Books for the advanced eARC in exchange for an honest review.
emeryreads88's review against another edition
3.0
I read this one like a choose your own adventure and it was awesome! Loved the behind the scenes tidbits, as well as the excerpts that do a deeper dive into certain topics in each chapter. Highly recommend this for fans for Meryl!
eloouise's review against another edition
4.0
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley, thanks to the publisher, Hachette Books.
Chronicling the life of Meryl Streep from childhood through her most recent role in The Post, [b:Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep|43521678|Queen Meryl The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep|Erin Carlson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1559709931s/43521678.jpg|67688475] depicts how truly loved and respected she is by those who have worked with her, along with her loving public. The book gives fans a fantastic view into the personal context of Meryl's choice of roles and her guiding philosophies, even touching on the roles she took that didn't quite hit the mark with her expected box office gold. The author, Erin Carlson, has a great voice in her writing, which gives the book great readability. Her passion for Meryl and her roles are really on show, which added greatly to my enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of Meryl, or any one with an interest in film history.
Chronicling the life of Meryl Streep from childhood through her most recent role in The Post, [b:Queen Meryl: The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep|43521678|Queen Meryl The Iconic Roles, Heroic Deeds, and Legendary Life of Meryl Streep|Erin Carlson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1559709931s/43521678.jpg|67688475] depicts how truly loved and respected she is by those who have worked with her, along with her loving public. The book gives fans a fantastic view into the personal context of Meryl's choice of roles and her guiding philosophies, even touching on the roles she took that didn't quite hit the mark with her expected box office gold. The author, Erin Carlson, has a great voice in her writing, which gives the book great readability. Her passion for Meryl and her roles are really on show, which added greatly to my enjoyment of the book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of Meryl, or any one with an interest in film history.
christine_queenofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Hachette and NetGalley for a free e-arc of this title for review.
I requested an e-arc of this title because I really liked I'll Have What She's Having, Carlson's book about Nora Ephron and When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle. That book was a great behind-the-scenes look at the films, and it was so cool to hear from so many of the people who'd been involved in the movies (as Carlson conducted tons of interviews for the book).
Queen Meryl was different. Rather than a tight look at pivotal moment's in the actress' career, Carlson takes a sweeping look at her life. Yes, that means that if you haven't seen every Streep movie, spoilers abound, as Carlson often gives a quick plot overview. (There's also a sidebar on all the movies in which Meryl's character dies.)
And yet, I don't feel like I know anything more about Meryl than I did prior to reading. I'm not sure what this title offers beyond what one can already find on IMDB or with a quick google of "Meryl Streep." I can't help but feel that the scope of the book did Carlson's hard work a disservice; that, had she focused on 3-4 of Meryl's movies, the book overall would have had much more to offer the reader.
If what you're looking for is a brief overview of Streep's career, you'll find that here.
I requested an e-arc of this title because I really liked I'll Have What She's Having, Carlson's book about Nora Ephron and When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail, and Sleepless in Seattle. That book was a great behind-the-scenes look at the films, and it was so cool to hear from so many of the people who'd been involved in the movies (as Carlson conducted tons of interviews for the book).
Queen Meryl was different. Rather than a tight look at pivotal moment's in the actress' career, Carlson takes a sweeping look at her life. Yes, that means that if you haven't seen every Streep movie, spoilers abound, as Carlson often gives a quick plot overview. (There's also a sidebar on all the movies in which Meryl's character dies.)
And yet, I don't feel like I know anything more about Meryl than I did prior to reading. I'm not sure what this title offers beyond what one can already find on IMDB or with a quick google of "Meryl Streep." I can't help but feel that the scope of the book did Carlson's hard work a disservice; that, had she focused on 3-4 of Meryl's movies, the book overall would have had much more to offer the reader.
If what you're looking for is a brief overview of Streep's career, you'll find that here.
dunneniamh's review against another edition
4.0
I LOVE books like this. It's pop culture, it's female-focused and it's examining one of Hollywood's most prolific stars. This is a whistle-stop tour around Streep's filmography, personal life and political activism and is written with the same humour, wit and grace exuded by the actress herself. The only thing I wish for this book was it took its time with its exploration: there's so much information and so much detail, Carlson moves through it all at lightning speed, almost as though she didn't have enough pages to get everything down on. I would happily read a longer book in this style: it's immensely readable.
sariggs's review against another edition
5.0
Dragged just a bit in the second half, so probably a four star for most people, but it’s the best book I’ve ever read on an actor and the parts they play.
lilprecious's review against another edition
4.0
For anyone who LOVES Meryl this is a great book to read.
All about the films she's made and the characters she has become!!
She is a legend.
All about the films she's made and the characters she has become!!
She is a legend.
gracereads82's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great book about the life of an iconic actress, way ahead of her time. It was nice to learn so much about the start of her career and how she made family and a career work. Her personal life, like meeting her husband, as well as her Ivy League education are covered, before we get an in depth look at her movies in chronological order. I really enjoyed learning about her activism and how she wants to make the world a better place for her kids. I would highly recommend it to fans of Meryl Streep. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced review copy.
readandwright's review
5.0
I love Meryl Streep. when I tell you i love her, i mean i LOVE her. As an actor myself, Meryl Streep has brought me countless inspiration through her work and in her daily life. I wish i could live a life without social media, like Meryl. I enjoyed this book. It didn't grab me the same way as Michael Schulman's Her Again, but in Carlson's defense, this book is more about Meryl's work than her life. As a young actor, i look up to Meryl as a goddess of stage and screen, so i was pleasantly surprised to learn about the struggles of her career and the films she was in that i have not seen. In fact, the night I finished this book I immediately wanted to watch Julie&Julia for the millionth time. The next day, I started knocking the few off my list that I hadn't seen yet.
Carlson is a hilarious writer, and what makes this book so special is her specific voice and obvious admiration for its subject. I really enjoyed the "intermission" moments sprinkled throughout chapters and the very specific quotes Meryl said in relation to her films. The structure works really well.
The only issue I can foresee is that I think you need to really love Meryl to read this book. There is a lot of information packed in its pages. Seriously, i thought i had 20% of the book left but finished it faster because the last percentage was just a bibliography (which i appreciated).
Carlson is a brilliant, funny writer and her unique style serves Meryl's legendary status. Film lovers, actors, and anyone who loved Mamma Mia! will get a kick out of this book.
Carlson is a hilarious writer, and what makes this book so special is her specific voice and obvious admiration for its subject. I really enjoyed the "intermission" moments sprinkled throughout chapters and the very specific quotes Meryl said in relation to her films. The structure works really well.
The only issue I can foresee is that I think you need to really love Meryl to read this book. There is a lot of information packed in its pages. Seriously, i thought i had 20% of the book left but finished it faster because the last percentage was just a bibliography (which i appreciated).
Carlson is a brilliant, funny writer and her unique style serves Meryl's legendary status. Film lovers, actors, and anyone who loved Mamma Mia! will get a kick out of this book.