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purringlion's review against another edition
4.0
I came to think of Kate Mulgrew as a capable, no-nonsense woman, one who is strong down to the core, and, most importantly, real. Reading, I realised she is also a woman in the most honest sense of the word. Not a stereotypical one, oh no, but something much more important. She is someone who knows her mind and will follow it because it is her own.
Growing up, I never felt the need for role models. I'd rather have none than some woman with fake ideals about high heels and nail polish and a white picket fence. Kate's narrative deals with the trade-offs the reality of life pushes you to make if, like her, you set your goals just that much differently. Yet, not for one moment do you doubt that amidst all, she must be one hell of a woman.
Thank you, Kate, for being a role model to those for whom no conventional role model would do.
Growing up, I never felt the need for role models. I'd rather have none than some woman with fake ideals about high heels and nail polish and a white picket fence. Kate's narrative deals with the trade-offs the reality of life pushes you to make if, like her, you set your goals just that much differently. Yet, not for one moment do you doubt that amidst all, she must be one hell of a woman.
Thank you, Kate, for being a role model to those for whom no conventional role model would do.
booksconnectus's review against another edition
4.0
I had no idea who Kate Mulgrew was before reading her memoir, perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if That were the case. That being said, I did enjoy it-good writing, good story-although it seemed more a retelling of loves lost and found-not so much about her “life”...but I will read her next story-which is already on my night table.
lynnea713's review against another edition
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!
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
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
pparker_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
rachelkpf's review against another edition
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.
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
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
eyreguide's review against another edition
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.
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.