Reviews

Born With Teeth by Kate Mulgrew, Kate Mulgrew

lynnea713's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I was wandering the book store when I saw the cover of the book and, as a star-trek lover, had to take a look to see what it was about. A few hours later, I re-emerged from the book store with this book in hand! I haven't had a memoir capture my attention like hers did in a very long time. This book was very hard to put down and I loved how swept into Kate Mulgrew's life I was every time I read more.

This book is about so much more than Star Trek and being the first woman captain; so, so much more. It is very honest and open about a woman's life and all the ups and downs that go along with it. Mulgrew is an excellent writer and she tells her tale beautifully. I don't think I can recommend this book highly enough!

rianne1134's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

Fantastically written, if the human need for sleep did not prevail would have been a one evening read. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jillhennig's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.0

pparker_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

rachelkpf's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I won my copy of this book from the publisher via Goodreads Giveaways.

I generally enjoy memoirs, though I do not always find the musings of celebrities interesting or enchanting. This one, however, was quite good. It makes sense that Mulgrew's dedication to story and character in her craft would spill over to her reflections on her own life. Her writing is at times elegant, and the story presented feels both complete and authentic. Often memoirs are either heavy-handed in their attempt to impose a theme on disparate events, or the writer makes no attempt to unify individual moments and the work lacks meaning. I was satisfied with Mulgrew's ability to highlight the commonalities running through each of her chapters.

Overall, an interesting read both heartbreaking and humorous.

maneatingbadger's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

eyreguide's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I'm only familiar with Kate Mulgrew's work on Star Trek: Voyager, but enough of her personality and force of character on the show came through to make me interested in her as an actress and in her career, so I was happy to read her memoir. It indeed delivers in showcasing her personality through her voice and in the way she has lived her life so far. And what I found extra enchanting about the book, was in how well Kate Mulgrew writes - her prose is often poetic and the way she describes some of the difficulties she has had in her life was very moving.

Her story has a way of being unapologetic about the way she has lived her life, and I found that very interesting when she talked about giving up her child for adoption. Her struggle to have a career and be a good mother was so thought-provoking, and while I feel like some of her choices might not be thought of well by others, I loved that she faced those decisions bravely, and stayed true to her passions and what she wanted out of life. It was refreshing to feel that she didn't shy away from the issue too much, and embraced and discussed her life with such openness. The memoir also gives an interesting view of the behind the scenes of working in television and film; even though Kate doesn't go into a lot of detail, especially with Voyager. The acting side of her life is not as well described as her personal life, which felt appropriate because this book was more about Kate Mulgrew's emotional journey and not her career.

The memoir ends a bit abruptly to me - I mean, Kate wraps up the book well, but ends it a few years before present day. I would have wanted to learn more about how her second marriage ended since the courtship is so well described, but it does seem like the real emotional arc of the book is Kate's experience giving up her child for adoption and that story is wrapped up perfectly. This is a memoir that can be selective as far as history, but often felt like a vivd, sometimes moving, sometimes hilarious conversation with the author, and I enjoyed that intimacy Kate Mulgrew was able to convey through her words. Definitely any fan of the actress, or of a rich, dramatic personality should read this book.

lacyk_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I know Kate Mulgrew as playing Red in Orange is the New Black and, vaguely, from Star Trek Voyager. I thought this book looked interesting and I've been on a kick lately of autobiographies and memoirs so I thought I'd give it a shot.

This was definitely a memoir, as it was more theatrical, dramatic and felt embellished. It read like a novel and she's lived a fascinating life so it was intriguing. I liked this book but didn't feel like it was always genuine and, oddly enough, I still feel as though I don't really know much about what Kate Mulgrew is like as a person. I know some important life decisions she's made and that she's a very dedicated actress but I don't know much about her personality.

I recommend if you are a Kate Mulgrew fan or a fan of her work.

kazzified29's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Even more wonderful the second time around. I found myself laughing, biting my nails with suspense and crying my eyes out reading this again. Masterful. I simply adore this woman.

ribbonquest's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

The most touching parts of Born With Teeth are the ones with her children and her sister. The most interesting are the occasional insights into her acting career, stage and television both. Unfortunately the bulk of the book is coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, and failed relationships with men. The relationships are described with little affection, since they are told with hindsight of every red flag and failing. The book isn't completely linear, which is frustrating at times.

If you're considering this book as a Star Trek fan, you can skip ahead to around chapter 25. Her time on Voyager isn't described in great detail but it's reasonably satisfying. If you want anything related to Orange Is The New Black, tough luck because the book ends at least a decade before that series began.