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Mixed Fancies
Brenda Blethyn is one of Britain's best-loved actresses. In this autobiography she tells the story of her early life and career, from 1940s Ramsgate where she was the youngest of nine children, to the National Theatre, television, Hollywood and stardom. She tells her tale with characteristic warmth and humour; the story of how she forced herself to run the London Marathon, three times, is a typical example.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2004
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April 4, 2019
If you’re lucky enough to know any nice people over 60 who grew up in large, loving families of limited means, ask them about whether anything dangerous happened to them as kids. Indiana Jones will look like a lightweight by comparison.
From my own family, where my father was the eldest of 12, there was the time time my seven-year-old Aunt Judy fell out of the hay mow and broke her other arm. (The first one was already broken by an encounter with a cow as I recall). Or when Margie burned her back sitting on the stove, or Tommy got his fingertip chopped off in the fan blade, or Maryanne almost died of whooping cough. As a variation, you can ask your sources about the temperature of their house in winter (Freezing!) or the foods they regarded as treats. (Fat drippings will play a part).
And so on to our subject for today, Brenda Blethyn’s 2006 memoir Mixed Fancies. I pulled it out of my mailbox when I got home from work last Friday. By midnight I had just about finished it.
Brenda (I feel on a first name basis with her now), as you surely must know, is a celebrated British actress. She was born “Brenda Bottle” to her 42-year-old mother in 1944, the tail ender in a family of nine children. In her early years the Bottle family lived in rented accommodations in Ramsgate, a seaside community in Kent in southern England. Their home was of a sort that would now be commonplace only in the third world: one cold water tap, outhouse in the garden – with no door on it – three rooms badly heated. (The poverty of post-war Britain never fails to shock me – it wasn’t that long ago and the Bottle story is hardly unique).
Brenda presents the perils and privations of her childhood with honesty but without any sense of grievance. She didn’t know enough about sex at eight years old to understand what the pedophile she encountered in the alley was doing. The “clouts” that her mother administered were part of the picture, as was Mum’s alcoholism. Brenda seems to have accepted these things like so much bad weather, and no more to be lamented than bad weather. She doesn’t remember the time she fell into the fire as a toddler, though she was told that she had. She does remember the time she and her brother, having been left home alone, almost burned the place down trying to make it cozy for their parents.
There were offsets to the hard times: treats of movies (where her mother had the bright idea of bringing the wet laundry in the winter so it could be dried on the radiators in the dark theater), and boxes of “mixed fancies.” That is, little cakes, 12 to a two-shilling box. (Brenda didn’t care for the one with the coconut, but the cream horn was coveted by all the children). And yes, meat drippings.
It wasn’t til Brenda was 14 that the family achieved indoor plumbing. Around that same time her teachers, recognizing her intelligence, recommended further academic education. Her parents deemed a secretarial course more practical, however, and so a secretary she became. She married Alan Blethyn and soon divorced him, but no hard feelings. It was during that short marriage that she was recruited as a reluctant substitute for a play being put on by her work-place drama troop…
The stories are told in rapid succession and in episodic fashion, which is why I had such trouble putting the book down. It’s clear that the genetic combination of Mum and Dad was a happy one. The children were good looking and sturdy despite their toothbrush free existence ¬– lots of family photos are included. And in the end, they loved one another and love and gratitude are the dominant themes.
Brenda is currently famous as the star of the British TV detective series Vera. It is because of Vera that you are reading this review. It’s where I became a Brenda fan, watching every episode at least three times, then chasing down her film appearances (she’s excellent in everything), and now reading her memoir. Because it was published back in darkest 2006, Mixed Fancies omits the great success of Vera, which debuted in 2011, but you just got the highlights on that here, so probably not to worry – or maybe she’ll decide to write a sequel. It would be worth reading, especially as it’s not every actress who gets a career-defining part in her 60s.
The thing that makes any story compelling is the arc of the characters. When a likeable character makes a big swing upwards, as it did in Brenda’s case, it’s a lot of fun to go along for the ride. Mixed Fancies never going to be taught alongside Hamlet or Middlemarch but that wasn’t the point. If you want to know how Brenda Blethyn got the way she is, here you go. Even if you’re not so curious about that, the book is so full event and charm and good humor that you’d have to be the kind of person who doesn’t like ice cream, or maybe cream horns, not to enjoy it.
From my own family, where my father was the eldest of 12, there was the time time my seven-year-old Aunt Judy fell out of the hay mow and broke her other arm. (The first one was already broken by an encounter with a cow as I recall). Or when Margie burned her back sitting on the stove, or Tommy got his fingertip chopped off in the fan blade, or Maryanne almost died of whooping cough. As a variation, you can ask your sources about the temperature of their house in winter (Freezing!) or the foods they regarded as treats. (Fat drippings will play a part).
And so on to our subject for today, Brenda Blethyn’s 2006 memoir Mixed Fancies. I pulled it out of my mailbox when I got home from work last Friday. By midnight I had just about finished it.
Brenda (I feel on a first name basis with her now), as you surely must know, is a celebrated British actress. She was born “Brenda Bottle” to her 42-year-old mother in 1944, the tail ender in a family of nine children. In her early years the Bottle family lived in rented accommodations in Ramsgate, a seaside community in Kent in southern England. Their home was of a sort that would now be commonplace only in the third world: one cold water tap, outhouse in the garden – with no door on it – three rooms badly heated. (The poverty of post-war Britain never fails to shock me – it wasn’t that long ago and the Bottle story is hardly unique).
Brenda presents the perils and privations of her childhood with honesty but without any sense of grievance. She didn’t know enough about sex at eight years old to understand what the pedophile she encountered in the alley was doing. The “clouts” that her mother administered were part of the picture, as was Mum’s alcoholism. Brenda seems to have accepted these things like so much bad weather, and no more to be lamented than bad weather. She doesn’t remember the time she fell into the fire as a toddler, though she was told that she had. She does remember the time she and her brother, having been left home alone, almost burned the place down trying to make it cozy for their parents.
There were offsets to the hard times: treats of movies (where her mother had the bright idea of bringing the wet laundry in the winter so it could be dried on the radiators in the dark theater), and boxes of “mixed fancies.” That is, little cakes, 12 to a two-shilling box. (Brenda didn’t care for the one with the coconut, but the cream horn was coveted by all the children). And yes, meat drippings.
It wasn’t til Brenda was 14 that the family achieved indoor plumbing. Around that same time her teachers, recognizing her intelligence, recommended further academic education. Her parents deemed a secretarial course more practical, however, and so a secretary she became. She married Alan Blethyn and soon divorced him, but no hard feelings. It was during that short marriage that she was recruited as a reluctant substitute for a play being put on by her work-place drama troop…
The stories are told in rapid succession and in episodic fashion, which is why I had such trouble putting the book down. It’s clear that the genetic combination of Mum and Dad was a happy one. The children were good looking and sturdy despite their toothbrush free existence ¬– lots of family photos are included. And in the end, they loved one another and love and gratitude are the dominant themes.
Brenda is currently famous as the star of the British TV detective series Vera. It is because of Vera that you are reading this review. It’s where I became a Brenda fan, watching every episode at least three times, then chasing down her film appearances (she’s excellent in everything), and now reading her memoir. Because it was published back in darkest 2006, Mixed Fancies omits the great success of Vera, which debuted in 2011, but you just got the highlights on that here, so probably not to worry – or maybe she’ll decide to write a sequel. It would be worth reading, especially as it’s not every actress who gets a career-defining part in her 60s.
The thing that makes any story compelling is the arc of the characters. When a likeable character makes a big swing upwards, as it did in Brenda’s case, it’s a lot of fun to go along for the ride. Mixed Fancies never going to be taught alongside Hamlet or Middlemarch but that wasn’t the point. If you want to know how Brenda Blethyn got the way she is, here you go. Even if you’re not so curious about that, the book is so full event and charm and good humor that you’d have to be the kind of person who doesn’t like ice cream, or maybe cream horns, not to enjoy it.
May 4, 2020
Charming read, Brenda Blethyn looks back on her childhood and early days (pre Vera) of acting in repertory companies and TV then film. She seems a very genuine and likeable person. This isn’t the type of book I’d usually read but it was a friend’s recommendation and in fact, it was enjoyable to be reading something so positive. She’s very much a glass half full, roll up your sleeves, no feeling sorry for yourself ‘just get on with it and make the most of life’ type of cheery soul.
March 11, 2019
A great insight into a fabulous lady.
Being a long-time fan of Brenda Blethyn, I knew I had to read this, and I wasn't disappointed. It is told with her special blend of humour and compassion.
Brought up in a large and impoverished family, despite the struggles, there was always a bright side. Although she goes on to become a famous actor, I sense that deep down she remains the same caring girl who grew up in Ramsgate.
Well written, this was an entertaining read from beginning to end.
Being a long-time fan of Brenda Blethyn, I knew I had to read this, and I wasn't disappointed. It is told with her special blend of humour and compassion.
Brought up in a large and impoverished family, despite the struggles, there was always a bright side. Although she goes on to become a famous actor, I sense that deep down she remains the same caring girl who grew up in Ramsgate.
Well written, this was an entertaining read from beginning to end.
May 5, 2017
I've always enjoyed watching Brenda Blethyn act. She doesn't seem stuck-up at all and I love her portrayal of Vera Stanhope in the Vera series from the books by Ann Cleeves. I'm not usually one for biographies or memoirs, but this book was a pleasure to read. She is very positive and never talks bad about anyone or anything, except for some unnamed hoity toity hotel she was not fond of. She comes across as a real "mensch" and her rendering of her time in a Las Vegas shopping center reduced me to tears from laughing so hard. Makes me want to watch some of the movies she mentions in here that I have not seen.
May 14, 2024
Brenda Blethyn was born in Ramsgate, the youngest of nine children. Although she didn't very much in terms of money (her family had little money), it sounds as though her childhood was idyllic. It sounds like she had many happy times and remained close to all her siblings through their lives. In many ways, she reminded me of my Mum. She was the fifth child of ten, and her parents had little in terms of money. But her whole family remember their childhood as the happiest of times. So, maybe that is why I enjoyed this book so much. It made me think of Mum.
The reason I purchased this book was that I binge-watched every episode of "Vera" recently, and I loved that TV show, so when I saw this book, I had to read it. And I wasn't disappointed. Brenda Blethyn's narrative voice is warm and funny. I felt like she was sitting next to me, chatting as old friends about her life. Almost all of her memories have a touch of humour in them. She seems able to reflect on her own successes and disasters with honesty and humour. It's very refreshing to read a memoir of someone who had a happy childhood, and to whom nothing bad happened. It is refreshing to read a biography that isn't writing about the tough time the author has had to endure. (Not that that there is anything wrong with that. It's just, sometimes, a change is great.)
Something that really appealed to me was how humble she sounds. Like, she is very self-deprecating about certain things, but not in mean way. Rather, she acknowledges that she got it wrong, and she is okay with it.
From stories of her childhood, her marriages, and then her career; it is all very interesting. She never intended to become an actress, and, apparently, her family and friends were all surprised when she told them she was in a play. It seemed like a part of her still couldn't believe the career she'd had. I love that she won a Golden Globe for 'Secrets & Lies' and had Oscar nominations for 'Little Voice' and 'Secrets & Lies.' And, actually, something I loved her in was her guest role in 'Law & Order: SVU.' She was awesome in that episode, and I think she said won an Emmy for it.
Still, though, despite all the Hollywood glamour and glitz, she has made thirteen series of the detective show 'Vera.' I love it. She has a dry sense of humour in that show, and also you can see hints of a troubled past. That's what she is so good at: character studies. Whoever she is playing, she puts everything into. And still, she doesn't understand why people think she is so good. That's so endearing.
Here is something I discovered when reading the book: Brenda Blethyn has run three marathons! Like her acting career, she kind of agreed to run the London Marathon by mistake. Then. she realised she had to train. She actually had to run it.
I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone wanting a pick-me-up. It is a good tonic. And the stories are heartwarming. Great!
The reason I purchased this book was that I binge-watched every episode of "Vera" recently, and I loved that TV show, so when I saw this book, I had to read it. And I wasn't disappointed. Brenda Blethyn's narrative voice is warm and funny. I felt like she was sitting next to me, chatting as old friends about her life. Almost all of her memories have a touch of humour in them. She seems able to reflect on her own successes and disasters with honesty and humour. It's very refreshing to read a memoir of someone who had a happy childhood, and to whom nothing bad happened. It is refreshing to read a biography that isn't writing about the tough time the author has had to endure. (Not that that there is anything wrong with that. It's just, sometimes, a change is great.)
Something that really appealed to me was how humble she sounds. Like, she is very self-deprecating about certain things, but not in mean way. Rather, she acknowledges that she got it wrong, and she is okay with it.
From stories of her childhood, her marriages, and then her career; it is all very interesting. She never intended to become an actress, and, apparently, her family and friends were all surprised when she told them she was in a play. It seemed like a part of her still couldn't believe the career she'd had. I love that she won a Golden Globe for 'Secrets & Lies' and had Oscar nominations for 'Little Voice' and 'Secrets & Lies.' And, actually, something I loved her in was her guest role in 'Law & Order: SVU.' She was awesome in that episode, and I think she said won an Emmy for it.
Still, though, despite all the Hollywood glamour and glitz, she has made thirteen series of the detective show 'Vera.' I love it. She has a dry sense of humour in that show, and also you can see hints of a troubled past. That's what she is so good at: character studies. Whoever she is playing, she puts everything into. And still, she doesn't understand why people think she is so good. That's so endearing.
Here is something I discovered when reading the book: Brenda Blethyn has run three marathons! Like her acting career, she kind of agreed to run the London Marathon by mistake. Then. she realised she had to train. She actually had to run it.
I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone wanting a pick-me-up. It is a good tonic. And the stories are heartwarming. Great!
August 6, 2022
Until I saw Ms. Blethyn as the Mother on Pride and Prejudice, I had no idea who she was. But, as synchronicity usually works, very quickly afterward I began seeing her everywhere and was impressed. The author's story is fascinating and very well conceived. I would endorse it with anyone who would like to know the author's roots and her career.
May 9, 2024
This was an interesting and thoughtful read -- very straightforward and at times humorous. I only became aware of Brenda Blethyn through Vera -- and what a surprise to find that her outstanding acting career has been there all along. This book introduces one to the real person behind her incredible portrayals as an actor. I came away loving her even more.
December 21, 2018
I enjoyed her very honest telling of her life , growing up in a very poor family in England. Always love reading about famous people’s beginnings and their determination to succeed. Well done Brenda on sharing your life with us.
March 16, 2019
Brenda Blethyn comes from a large poor family, but there was lots of humour and love in her childhood. This is a very enjoyable read from a very unassuming actress. The anecdotes in this had me laughing out loud, especially the explosion in Las Vegas!
June 10, 2019
Brenda Blethyn's lovely autobiography (all pre-Vera). She was the youngest child of nine in a poor family, born just after WWII. Lots of love, lots of mischief, and parents who don't seem to have blinked twice when their youngest wanted to be an actress.
September 14, 2020
Excellent
Could not put it down. Have always admired Brenda as a terrific actress. The way she talks about her family and the hardships that they endured was so sad but made her the person she is. No.bitterness just accepted it, a very loving family
Could not put it down. Have always admired Brenda as a terrific actress. The way she talks about her family and the hardships that they endured was so sad but made her the person she is. No.bitterness just accepted it, a very loving family
October 26, 2021
You who like me love to see Brenda Blethyn in Vera - this is absolutely for you.
Very warm book with lots of laughs. She is really able to look at herself with a nice distance.
You who do not know Brenda Blethyn, here is your chance.
Very warm book with lots of laughs. She is really able to look at herself with a nice distance.
You who do not know Brenda Blethyn, here is your chance.
February 18, 2022
thoroughly good read
Takes me back to my own childhood a well written, funny and heart warming read which affirms my admiration for BB as an actress and the person I now feel I know.
Takes me back to my own childhood a well written, funny and heart warming read which affirms my admiration for BB as an actress and the person I now feel I know.
July 27, 2017
I never knew that Brenda Blethyn had done the London marathon. The autobiography was an OK read , and she seems lovely.
January 9, 2019
A brilliant humorous autobiography she is great so down to earth
October 17, 2019
Great book - left me wanting more!
February 17, 2020
Since I'm not a big fan of autobiographies of actors, I didn't expect too much but it did give a good picture of Brenda Blethyn's life.
August 24, 2021
I loved this book. I read it on holiday. It’s a real rags to riches story but one of great interest . I loved it.
March 23, 2023
A fun read, of a much loved actress. But published 2006/7 and reading in 2023 makes me crave for more and especially her time as VERA.
August 6, 2025
Easy reading, which is what I wanted at the time
March 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this autobiography as the emphasis is more on the part of the author's life before fame. She describes her parents and siblings beautifully, and it's lovely to observe such close relationships. The book is funny and heartbreaking, and Brenda Blethyn comes across as witty, down to earth, and someone you'd like to spend time with. Would recommend even to those who are not fans of the actress.
July 2, 2008
In this age, where there appear to be more and more people obsessed with being "famous for being famous", and an unfortunate group who follow their every, underwhelming move, MIXED FANCIES arrived in my post box recently.
Brenda Blethyn is one of those actresses you undoubtedly have seen in something.... turning to the back of the book first it was rather surprising to see that so far she has appeared in around 27 movies, 32 TV shows (including Rumpole and Maigret for we mystery fans) and a similar number of theatre productions. Suddenly you realise that she's not overtly famous for doing an enormous amount!
MIXED FANCIES is the story of Brenda Bottle, youngest of 9 children, born to a poor family in Ramsgate in 1940's England. Leaving school young - as with the rest of her siblings - earning a living was a priority, Brenda worked as a secretary. She met and married her husband when very young, the marriage was over by the time she was twenty-seven. Taking a risk, based on the belief of others that she really had talent, she used what little money she had saved and enrolled at Guildford Drama School. Before long she had an ongoing career as one of England's leading character actresses, a new and long-term relationship, Oscar nominations, Golden Globe awards and international recognition.
Underpinning everything is Brenda's strong sense of family - her parents, her siblings and childhood friends and cousins hold Brenda Blethyn firmly to the ground, creating a woman who is talented, capable, very funny, engaging and very human.
What MIXED FANCIES says most strongly is that it's the relationships that Brenda has built up with the people around her that matter most to her. The ongoing obvious love and affection that she had for her parents and for her brothers and sisters is touching, as is their support and understanding for her. One of the best parts of the book is the humour. There's the story she tells about ringing her long-time partner one night, homesick when overseas, to propose marriage to him. His response? "Who is This?". There's the final quotation in the book "I showed some of this book to Gina, my friend who does my ironing. She was very complimentary, saying, 'Coo that's t'rific Bren. But just imagine though if any o' that was true!'"
You're not going to get any of the standard Hollywood, famous for being famous style gossip in MIXED FANCIES. You're not going to get somebody dishing the dirt on years in show business, you're not going to get a warts and all "how I did bad and survived" story. What you are going to get is a lovely, simple, touching story about a poor little girl from Ramsgate England who did good and stayed true.
Brenda Blethyn is one of those actresses you undoubtedly have seen in something.... turning to the back of the book first it was rather surprising to see that so far she has appeared in around 27 movies, 32 TV shows (including Rumpole and Maigret for we mystery fans) and a similar number of theatre productions. Suddenly you realise that she's not overtly famous for doing an enormous amount!
MIXED FANCIES is the story of Brenda Bottle, youngest of 9 children, born to a poor family in Ramsgate in 1940's England. Leaving school young - as with the rest of her siblings - earning a living was a priority, Brenda worked as a secretary. She met and married her husband when very young, the marriage was over by the time she was twenty-seven. Taking a risk, based on the belief of others that she really had talent, she used what little money she had saved and enrolled at Guildford Drama School. Before long she had an ongoing career as one of England's leading character actresses, a new and long-term relationship, Oscar nominations, Golden Globe awards and international recognition.
Underpinning everything is Brenda's strong sense of family - her parents, her siblings and childhood friends and cousins hold Brenda Blethyn firmly to the ground, creating a woman who is talented, capable, very funny, engaging and very human.
What MIXED FANCIES says most strongly is that it's the relationships that Brenda has built up with the people around her that matter most to her. The ongoing obvious love and affection that she had for her parents and for her brothers and sisters is touching, as is their support and understanding for her. One of the best parts of the book is the humour. There's the story she tells about ringing her long-time partner one night, homesick when overseas, to propose marriage to him. His response? "Who is This?". There's the final quotation in the book "I showed some of this book to Gina, my friend who does my ironing. She was very complimentary, saying, 'Coo that's t'rific Bren. But just imagine though if any o' that was true!'"
You're not going to get any of the standard Hollywood, famous for being famous style gossip in MIXED FANCIES. You're not going to get somebody dishing the dirt on years in show business, you're not going to get a warts and all "how I did bad and survived" story. What you are going to get is a lovely, simple, touching story about a poor little girl from Ramsgate England who did good and stayed true.
June 14, 2016
This is a lovely biography written with grace, charm and humour (likely reflecting the grace, charm and sense of humour of Brenda Blethyn). Unlike some celebrities, she describes some very embarrassing moments that I am sure others would deny ever happened to them. It is interesting to read about her career and her other pursuits in life. She provides some loving stories about her family and her partner. Stories about her parents' struggle to raise 9 children through years of poverty are especially touching. My only regret is that this biography is from 2005/06 so that her Vera years aren't covered. I would recommend this for any fans of Ms. Blethyn.
March 27, 2012
I am a fan of Brenda Blethyn since I first saw her in Little voice. afterwards I tried to see her in other movies. such as Anne Frank {a version of it} Secrets and lies. and Undertaking Betty to name a few. when I saw she came out with an autobiography. I ordered a used copy. miss Blethyn wrote an honest book about her life. she strkes me as modest and nice. I wish she would have spent a bit more time talking about the movies she made. some were not mentioned at all except for the being listed in the appendix. if you are a fan of hers you may enjoy her autobiography.
March 9, 2019
I loved this book! So much so, that I bought it after reading an inter library loan. It is funny and touching and well-written. You feel like you are sitting down with your best friend while she tells you all about the ups and downs of her life in her sometimes difficult but always close, family. Reading it has made me enjoy watching her in all her many roles, all the more. Now that I own my own copy I’m going to reread it.
January 14, 2008
What is it about Brit actresses and their engaging biographies? I absolutely loved this book, despite the fact that I felt I shouldn't have. Blethyn has an easy style and I found myself quite unable to dislike anything in her prose and stylings. Not for everyone but...
December 2, 2013
A very interesting read by a very amusing actor. I was unaware of many of Brenda's tv shows. Being most familiar with her films like little voice and saving grace. Really good to see where she has come from and a no nonsense look at the glamorous and not so glamorous side of show biz
July 29, 2012
Explains the tremendous range of this wonderful actress
December 8, 2012
One of my favourite biographies ever. This book actually made me laugh out loud some bits were so funny and not what you would expect someone to share.
February 3, 2016
Funny, well written, particularly enjoyed Ramsgate scenes from the 1950s, including West Cliff Public Baths, and the author's childhood cinema visits.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews