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LUCY IN THE AFTERNOON, AN INTIMATE MEMOIR, BY JIM BROCHU
A close friend of the late Queen of Comedy presents an account of her life and thoughts, from New York to Hollywood and through the show that remains an American institution
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 16, 2008
I like Lucy Ball the person even more than Lucille Ball icon
she was a bitter old gal but she loved her games!
she was a bitter old gal but she loved her games!
April 19, 2013
A must-read for any Lucy lover!!!!!
July 11, 2021
I Love this book - My Dad met Lucy
My father met Lucille Ball when she and her family visited the USAF Academy in the 1960s to film one of her TV shows. I was in the AFA Douglas Valley elementary school. I decided to read this book for several reasons: 1) My dad met Lucy and I wanted to see more of her personality and, 2) She mentions information about future President Ronald Reagan and Nancy's sighting of a UFO.
Lucy in the Afternoon is a fun book, if you want to understand her life from beginning of her career to later years this is for you. The author was balanced - adding her good moments and the difficult years getting started. It's not all glamor in Tinsel Town - the life as an actor is rough.
Despite all Lucy's ups and downs, the author shows Lucy never gave up on any challenge and she was thrown a lot of curve balls. When my father met Lucy, he gave her a quick tour of the Academy Chapel and he was thrilled when he came home that night. I can say, my father must have been very impressed with her. Like all people was not perfect by any means, but she was an incredible and remarkable person. I would have liked to have known her, however, like my fathers career being so engrossing, I am sure her own family members would say they had wished hey had more time with her rather than the screen.
My father met Lucille Ball when she and her family visited the USAF Academy in the 1960s to film one of her TV shows. I was in the AFA Douglas Valley elementary school. I decided to read this book for several reasons: 1) My dad met Lucy and I wanted to see more of her personality and, 2) She mentions information about future President Ronald Reagan and Nancy's sighting of a UFO.
Lucy in the Afternoon is a fun book, if you want to understand her life from beginning of her career to later years this is for you. The author was balanced - adding her good moments and the difficult years getting started. It's not all glamor in Tinsel Town - the life as an actor is rough.
Despite all Lucy's ups and downs, the author shows Lucy never gave up on any challenge and she was thrown a lot of curve balls. When my father met Lucy, he gave her a quick tour of the Academy Chapel and he was thrilled when he came home that night. I can say, my father must have been very impressed with her. Like all people was not perfect by any means, but she was an incredible and remarkable person. I would have liked to have known her, however, like my fathers career being so engrossing, I am sure her own family members would say they had wished hey had more time with her rather than the screen.
April 26, 2011
This book tells about the times that Jim had with spending time with Lucy. He tells all her stories from her point of view. This book really let's you see how Lucy was and how she acted in person. By the end of the book, the reader is sad when Lucy dies. They grow to love her through the book which is why everybody loves Lucy!
December 26, 2008
This is truly an intimate memoir of this actress as Brochu seems to have spent a lot of time with Lucille Ball in her later years. It was both enjoyable and informative.
January 20, 2009
The author was a favorite backgammon player in the afternoons the last few years of her life.
August 21, 2012
All I can say is..... Loved it.
August 7, 2013
A quick read and personal account of Lucy
July 24, 2015
I really, really enjoyed this memoir of one of my favorite actresses: Lucille Ball. Although I had some issues with the language used, the book was funny and heart-warming.
November 21, 2017
So sweet. So great. Now all I want to do is watch I Love Lucy reruns.
June 24, 2019
Probably my favorite biography of Lucille’s because it is told from her point of view. Seems like you’re the one sitting down to play backgammon with her everyday.
May 13, 2024
I would love to be able to see the old stars in their time. Always most passed away before I was born or shortly after. So I have to just read accounts of them.
November 9, 2024
I’m kinda bias when it comes to Lucille Ball due to the fact that I’ve been obsessed with her since I discovered her in the 90s. The author made you feel like you were there with her, you can picture her stories and her laugh. I loved this book so much because I now know things I didn’t before, I feel closer to her history. The ending had me so teary eyed because obviously she passes but the way they describe her last day is so well written that it really gets you emotional. 5/5 for Lucy for life!!
December 13, 2025
I first read this book 30+ years ago. I didn’t realize it then that Mr Brochu wasn’t just writing about his friendship with Lucy. He was giving all of us who love her to spend time with her as well. This is easily the most beautiful, intimate book I have ever read about her. I head in my hands sobbed at the end and not many books have generated that reaction out of me. I am so glad I still have this book and decided to read it again. Thank you for writing this book. ❤️
December 29, 2025
I read this book years ago, & initially enjoyed it because it was a telling about the friendship the author shared with Lucy. However, later on down the road I found out that Lucy’s daughter gave it a bad review & said that it wasn’t totally accurate.
May 25, 2020
Great.book
March 22, 2015
After reading Mr. Tannen's book on Lucille Ball, my eyes glazed over when, not many pages into Mr. Brochu's effort, I noticed 'backgammon' mentioned for the first (of many) times. "Oh no, this can't be happening again".
Brochu, in his defense, treats the backgammon metaphor lightly thereafter, earning my respect and not resulting in the book flying out the window. Thanks, 25 years down the road, for at least doing that. Tannen, however, went down that road.
This effort by Brochu, a self-described writer who managed to break down the wall and enter Lucille Ball and her personal life's inner sanctum, is not bad. Another pseudo oral history of Ball from a sort of 'friend' the book provides us all with some researched insight into the last several months of Ball's life through Brochu's eyes.
Brochu, unlike the Tannen efforts, weaves Ball's life story through his visits to her house for that 'b' game. Unlike Tannen, who played Daisy in Woods with Ball, Brochu asks her direct questions and attempts to dig deeper into her answers. That level of insight goes way over Tannen's head. But, Brochu isn't winning any writing prize for his book, which, according to accounts was not approved by Ball's children and no one in her inner circle publicly commented or supported it. Tannen, however, was approved for his fluff piece. Fluff by fluff. I was unable to locate any comments from Brochu in a brief search about that rejection. On Amazon, for example, he gets taken to town as a sort of 'johnny come lately' to the Ball post-mortem book parade. He's accused of bullshi**ing, making stuff up, lying, using fake talks with Ball, etc, etc, etc. In short, many don't believe him, his story or his POV on Ball. No one has proven any of those claims, but I guess if Desi Jr. and Lucie Jr. don't approve you are hereby on notice.
Which is a shame because I actually enjoyed the book. I read Tannen's first, which I also enjoyed. I, for example, enjoyed the way Tannen took a few potshots at Lucy and how he opened fire on her second husband, Gary Morton. Brochu, for some reason, is open in his Ball comments but not mean or negative (either was Tannen). But, he does take his nose and insert it right into Morton's rear end. The brownnosing was clearly designed to warm up Morton for possible business between the two down the road. Remember, Brochu is a self described writer. Tannen, not.
The third gay-guy Lucy AD book, 'I Had A Ball' by Michael Stern (2011) is perhaps the best example of fawning and head over heels praise about Ball (even Morton comes off like Jesus, Jr.) that it just can't be taken seriously. Stern, a lifelong Lucyphile, and appointed by her as the 'Number One Lucy Fan' makes you wonder what the 'Number Two Lucy Fan' would be. The Stern book is a verbal day at Shakey's Pizza. Brochu and Tannen at least tried to be real and semi serious. The Stern effort, however, offers little of historic value. For all of his exposure to and face time with Ball you'd think he would have had at least some critical observations. More, much more, than the other two books his is more about 'Stern' than Lucy.
Brochu tries his best to make the most of his short exposure to Ball by expanding what little face time he had by weaving in the history stuff. I noted many editorial errors in his Ball history recaps. Unlike other I don't really have issues with that; he's not really a legit author but more of an observer. Like others he takes time to get Desi Arnaz into the book, and, for a change he offers some insight into Arnaz performance as a father after their divorce. But, as always, Arnaz is not given nearly enough time and space so readers can get his side. Ball has untold bio's written about her, so far no one has done a bio on Arnaz. For my money, that would be much more interesting than any Ball bio so far. Arnaz was one wild ride. He's one of the few people who ever told Frank Sinatra to go *uck himself and lived, showing no fear at all. Arnaz was a serious drunk, addict and wild guy but he had a massive set on him. Morton, I think, not only didn't have a set like Desi but I think may have had eyes for him just like Lucy had. Seriously, Brochu could have added much more about Arnaz. Any book about Ball which attempts to get into her life story must contain at least 75% space for Arnaz.
Overall, not a bad book. Written 25 years ago it stands the test of time. Sort of. I object to some who say it's all bogus dribble and lies written by some whacked out gay guy. It's probably the best of the three gay-guy Lucy AD books out there so far. A read for all Lucy fans.
Brochu, in his defense, treats the backgammon metaphor lightly thereafter, earning my respect and not resulting in the book flying out the window. Thanks, 25 years down the road, for at least doing that. Tannen, however, went down that road.
This effort by Brochu, a self-described writer who managed to break down the wall and enter Lucille Ball and her personal life's inner sanctum, is not bad. Another pseudo oral history of Ball from a sort of 'friend' the book provides us all with some researched insight into the last several months of Ball's life through Brochu's eyes.
Brochu, unlike the Tannen efforts, weaves Ball's life story through his visits to her house for that 'b' game. Unlike Tannen, who played Daisy in Woods with Ball, Brochu asks her direct questions and attempts to dig deeper into her answers. That level of insight goes way over Tannen's head. But, Brochu isn't winning any writing prize for his book, which, according to accounts was not approved by Ball's children and no one in her inner circle publicly commented or supported it. Tannen, however, was approved for his fluff piece. Fluff by fluff. I was unable to locate any comments from Brochu in a brief search about that rejection. On Amazon, for example, he gets taken to town as a sort of 'johnny come lately' to the Ball post-mortem book parade. He's accused of bullshi**ing, making stuff up, lying, using fake talks with Ball, etc, etc, etc. In short, many don't believe him, his story or his POV on Ball. No one has proven any of those claims, but I guess if Desi Jr. and Lucie Jr. don't approve you are hereby on notice.
Which is a shame because I actually enjoyed the book. I read Tannen's first, which I also enjoyed. I, for example, enjoyed the way Tannen took a few potshots at Lucy and how he opened fire on her second husband, Gary Morton. Brochu, for some reason, is open in his Ball comments but not mean or negative (either was Tannen). But, he does take his nose and insert it right into Morton's rear end. The brownnosing was clearly designed to warm up Morton for possible business between the two down the road. Remember, Brochu is a self described writer. Tannen, not.
The third gay-guy Lucy AD book, 'I Had A Ball' by Michael Stern (2011) is perhaps the best example of fawning and head over heels praise about Ball (even Morton comes off like Jesus, Jr.) that it just can't be taken seriously. Stern, a lifelong Lucyphile, and appointed by her as the 'Number One Lucy Fan' makes you wonder what the 'Number Two Lucy Fan' would be. The Stern book is a verbal day at Shakey's Pizza. Brochu and Tannen at least tried to be real and semi serious. The Stern effort, however, offers little of historic value. For all of his exposure to and face time with Ball you'd think he would have had at least some critical observations. More, much more, than the other two books his is more about 'Stern' than Lucy.
Brochu tries his best to make the most of his short exposure to Ball by expanding what little face time he had by weaving in the history stuff. I noted many editorial errors in his Ball history recaps. Unlike other I don't really have issues with that; he's not really a legit author but more of an observer. Like others he takes time to get Desi Arnaz into the book, and, for a change he offers some insight into Arnaz performance as a father after their divorce. But, as always, Arnaz is not given nearly enough time and space so readers can get his side. Ball has untold bio's written about her, so far no one has done a bio on Arnaz. For my money, that would be much more interesting than any Ball bio so far. Arnaz was one wild ride. He's one of the few people who ever told Frank Sinatra to go *uck himself and lived, showing no fear at all. Arnaz was a serious drunk, addict and wild guy but he had a massive set on him. Morton, I think, not only didn't have a set like Desi but I think may have had eyes for him just like Lucy had. Seriously, Brochu could have added much more about Arnaz. Any book about Ball which attempts to get into her life story must contain at least 75% space for Arnaz.
Overall, not a bad book. Written 25 years ago it stands the test of time. Sort of. I object to some who say it's all bogus dribble and lies written by some whacked out gay guy. It's probably the best of the three gay-guy Lucy AD books out there so far. A read for all Lucy fans.
June 27, 2025
A wonderful and personal account of the side of Lucille Ball we rarely saw, written by a close friend of hers during her final years. This book was fantastic. Lucy was a crotchety old lady but then again we will all be one someday.
February 16, 2016
I didn't like the writing nor the writer, although I guess Lucy did, I felt like he was an opportunist.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews