Reviews

Then Again by Diane Keaton

mollysk's review against another edition

4.0

Received this book as a Goodreads give-away. Diane Keaton could have written a book solely about her career as an actress and all that went with it. And, while I admit that I'm curious about all of that, I'm glad that she didn't.

Instead, her book feels like a family collage, spanning several generations. It provides a vivid sense of Southern California in the 40's, 50's, and 60's, as well as a meditation on aging, parenting, and the relationships between mothers and daughters. Quirky, and at times, beautifully written. A worthwhile read.

midnightagenda's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my goodness. I listened to the audio-book rented from the library and I loved it so much I am going to order myself a hard copy. This book is an excellent read. I't really gives me quite a perspective on this lady and her love for her family.

wileyacez's review

4.0

This was NOT the next book I planned on reading, but it caught my eye as I was getting out the next Kokoris book. Then I devoured this in a day! Keaton intersperses her own memoir with her mother's, and all the hot topics were there: dealing with aging parents, dealing with kids, what it means to be a female, and mostly what we all go through as we pass through the stages of living. The writing style was very readable and left me thinking that a lunch with Ms. Keaton would be a very enjoyable thing. Really, really enjoyed it.

lrmsreads's review against another edition

4.0

Then Again by Diane Keaton is an absolutely fantastic memoir. I loved the juxtaposition of Diane's life with that of her mother, Dorothy. What a blessing her mother's journals were and the fact that she shared them with us, her readers, makes me feel honored. It was interesting to get Diane's take on Woody Allen, Warren Beatty and Al Pacino. I loved hearing her "mom voice". Overall this was a really great read and I would recommend it to every daughter out there.

daceydacey's review against another edition

3.0

Pretty chaotic memoir. It's told both in Keaton's own words and through letters and voicemails from her mother -- which is a lovely tribute, but sometimes felt disorganized and confusing. The parts about Keaton's movie career and movie stars were generally brief and aggressively positive (she doesn't acknowledge anything problematic about Woody Allen...ick).

lacytelles's review against another edition

3.0

Diane Keaton is by no means a writer, but she does have an interesting story to share. I loved the name dropping and the stories from old Manhattan, but I wished there was more Hollywood stuff thrown in. Instead, be prepared for a lot of stuff about her mother. Sweet and easy to read, despite the scattered feel to it.

elvislove1234's review against another edition

3.0

this book was okay i didnt really like the style jumping from her journals and her mothers

physicsandcoffee's review against another edition

5.0

This is a wonderful memoir - not only of Keaton’s life but that of her mother, Dorothy Hall.

Keaton works through her own life in chronological order but interleaves her thoughts and memories with journal entries from her mother. Keaton writes pithily about her career and romance and with great feeling about her family, aging, love and her children.

Fast read. Recommend.

sjhoot17's review against another edition

4.0

If you have ever been intrigued by Diane Keaton, then you will like this book. She writes a memoir but also integrates her mother's journals and letters. It is an autobiography of her life and somewhat a biography of her mother. She intertwined the stories written with memories. Many funny moments. My mother is her age, so it is interesting to read and think of the things that my mom was probably going through growing up in the fifties and sixties. She also discusses dealing with her mom as she went through a battle with Alzheimer's.

netflixandkell's review against another edition

5.0

Surprisingly good... I learned so much about Diane that I never knew before, but was surprised by the underlying mother/daughter story. Well done.