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Susan Boyle Dreams Can Come True
On Britain s Got Talent on 11 April 2009, 48-year-old spinster Susan Magdalane Boyle stepped out onto the stage to jeers and sniggers. As she announced she was going to sing I Dreamed a Dream, the judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan didn't bother to hide their amusement. One minute later they, and very soon the world, were giving Susan Boyle a standing ovation. She had the voice of an angel and her story was to become a modern day fairytale, a dream come true. In hours the news of Susan's extraordinary, heartbreaking performance had spread around the globe. She was an instant international star. And today she holds the record for the fastest selling female debut album of all time. In this, the first book to explore Susan's amazing rags to riches story, we follow her from her humble West Lothian background to topping the charts and performing for millions worldwide on TV. Whether it was bullying or nearly not entering Britain's Got Talent because it was a young person's game, when faced with the toughest challenges, Susan never gave up. The memory of her mother inspired her to give her dream one last chance.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 10, 2022
DNF @ 77% on this bio.
Doubtful I'd read this author again. Too much repetition.
Susan Boyle, w/ the beautiful singing voice, came in 2nd
on Britian's Got Talent (BGT) reality show in 2009. This
author dedicated too much of this book on Susan's before
and after looks. She described Susan as: ungroomed, un-
attractive, frizzy haired, pretty in her youth. The author
championed conformity of the ideal woman singer or
actress. I'm not talking self-respect but rather: could the
average BGT contestant (or any reality contestant) afford
a make-over of hairstyle, make-up, more flattering clothes,
a weight-loss clinic? The author chided earlier BGT winner
Paul Potts for being overweight and "dentally challenged."
Everyone does not have money to spare. Everyone does not
'buy' rigid conformity. Is looking sophisticated or sexy
while singing the only choice?
The author called Susan "fragile" too many times. She
needed to research depression and anxiety. A depressed
person may neglect her sleep, nutrition, hygiene, groom-
ing, housekeeping. Or over-groom or use too much
make-up or dress too fancy for the occasion. Or wear PJs
to a social event. Or wear short sleeves & shorts in the
winter. Or go w/o a coat. The person feels at the bottom
of a pit & she knows she must claw her way out. Add
anxiety & she has double the trouble. I formerly worked
in the mental health field.
I feel BGT creator, Simon Cowell, & his other judges &
the media & social media contributed to Susan's anxiety
on BGT from her 2nd episode to the final. They felt
compelled to respond to every comment Susan made?
They noted who might win BGT. They implied Susan
needed to 'improve' before the final. They stirred up
all the hype: shame on them.
I'm going to get Susan's memoir for the real story. If
interested, please watch Fern Button's 2013 interview
of Susan (shown on youtube).
Doubtful I'd read this author again. Too much repetition.
Susan Boyle, w/ the beautiful singing voice, came in 2nd
on Britian's Got Talent (BGT) reality show in 2009. This
author dedicated too much of this book on Susan's before
and after looks. She described Susan as: ungroomed, un-
attractive, frizzy haired, pretty in her youth. The author
championed conformity of the ideal woman singer or
actress. I'm not talking self-respect but rather: could the
average BGT contestant (or any reality contestant) afford
a make-over of hairstyle, make-up, more flattering clothes,
a weight-loss clinic? The author chided earlier BGT winner
Paul Potts for being overweight and "dentally challenged."
Everyone does not have money to spare. Everyone does not
'buy' rigid conformity. Is looking sophisticated or sexy
while singing the only choice?
The author called Susan "fragile" too many times. She
needed to research depression and anxiety. A depressed
person may neglect her sleep, nutrition, hygiene, groom-
ing, housekeeping. Or over-groom or use too much
make-up or dress too fancy for the occasion. Or wear PJs
to a social event. Or wear short sleeves & shorts in the
winter. Or go w/o a coat. The person feels at the bottom
of a pit & she knows she must claw her way out. Add
anxiety & she has double the trouble. I formerly worked
in the mental health field.
I feel BGT creator, Simon Cowell, & his other judges &
the media & social media contributed to Susan's anxiety
on BGT from her 2nd episode to the final. They felt
compelled to respond to every comment Susan made?
They noted who might win BGT. They implied Susan
needed to 'improve' before the final. They stirred up
all the hype: shame on them.
I'm going to get Susan's memoir for the real story. If
interested, please watch Fern Button's 2013 interview
of Susan (shown on youtube).
November 12, 2010
Unauthorized hhhmmmm just how does that work when the author herself rags on people who sell unauthorized Susan Boyle stuff on ebay??? Can you say hypocritical?
The content was ok. The writing was ok. The whole book was just OK.
The content was ok. The writing was ok. The whole book was just OK.
July 8, 2015
This was an okay book, but I don't read many biographies. This book doesn't have much about her childhood, just a chapter. It was mostly about her time on a reality tv show. There was also a couple chapters about her recording and promoting her album.
August 20, 2021
I found this book very repetitive. I get the feeling this was written by someone just surfing the web. There doesn’t seem to be any interviews done by the author. Just quotes from previous articles and interviews she found online. I also found it rather rich when she mentioned merchandise being sold on EBay that had no connection to Susan Boyle in her unauthorized biography. Not a very enjoyable read.
January 3, 2024
There is too much repetition in this book. I kept thinking " just get on with the story." I did get to know Susan Boyle and grew to love her and her musical talent. When a book says 'unauthorized biography' be suspicious. This author knew only a few facts about Susan and continued to go back and forth on that limited knowledge. I will wait for a book that Susan gives her okay for someone to write about her life.
January 12, 2018
like others have said, it's hard to write a complete book only a year after a person begins a public life of any kind, as this book tries to do. This one just caught my eye at the local public library. Not a bad way to spend a few hours for 5 days, just not the best. I spent as much time watching related Youtube videos while reading than actually reading!
March 15, 2017
To start this book was 100 pages too long. What I mean by that is she kept pointing out the same facts over and over again.
I like a good underdog story like everyone else but I felt this book made more negative image then positive. If I were Susan or her family I would not have let this book be published but more likely they just wanted the money.
Personally being a singer myself I don't think she sings that great. However I do applaud her tenacity in obtaining her dream at such a late age.
I'll put the book facts right here for u so u don't waste your time.
1. She was deprived of oxygen at birth which gave her disability in dealing with people and made her prone to outburst.
2. Trauma from being unable to cope with the stress of showbiz caused her to be institutionalized.
3. Even though she lost the competition she still was given a record deal through Simon Cowell.
4. The book showed me most of all that her family allowed strangers to take care of her during her beginning stages of her career instead of doing that themselves which just proves to me that family values have really went downhill.
I like a good underdog story like everyone else but I felt this book made more negative image then positive. If I were Susan or her family I would not have let this book be published but more likely they just wanted the money.
Personally being a singer myself I don't think she sings that great. However I do applaud her tenacity in obtaining her dream at such a late age.
I'll put the book facts right here for u so u don't waste your time.
1. She was deprived of oxygen at birth which gave her disability in dealing with people and made her prone to outburst.
2. Trauma from being unable to cope with the stress of showbiz caused her to be institutionalized.
3. Even though she lost the competition she still was given a record deal through Simon Cowell.
4. The book showed me most of all that her family allowed strangers to take care of her during her beginning stages of her career instead of doing that themselves which just proves to me that family values have really went downhill.
October 17, 2021
Repetitive writing, often annoying, and worst of all Montgomery keeps inserting her own opinions everywhere. Based on rather shallow 'research' too. Better read the actual autobiography instead of this unauthorised thing!
January 22, 2018
Fluff also needs editing.....
December 13, 2010
Britain’s Got Talent, 11 april 2009. Een achtenveertigjarige huisvrouw stapt het toneel op en wordt begroet door een spottend publiek. Ze zegt dat ze ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ uit Les Misérables zal zingen, waarna ook de jury zijn cynische reactie nauwelijks meer kan verbergen. Het boegeroep gaat abrupt over in een staande ovatie zodra Susan begint te zingen.
Susan Boyle is het verbijsterende verhaal van Susan, van haar strijd om de eindjes aan elkaar te knopen in een dorpje in Schotland tot haar optredens voor een miljoenenpubliek. Het beschrijft hoe Susan op de valreep haar deelname aan de talentenjacht wilde afkappen, maar door de herinnering aan haar pas overleden moeder de moed vond haar droom een laatste kans te geven. Susans levensverhaal is een modern sprookje dat iedereen zal inspireren zijn of haar droom te volgen.
Susan Boyle is het verbijsterende verhaal van Susan, van haar strijd om de eindjes aan elkaar te knopen in een dorpje in Schotland tot haar optredens voor een miljoenenpubliek. Het beschrijft hoe Susan op de valreep haar deelname aan de talentenjacht wilde afkappen, maar door de herinnering aan haar pas overleden moeder de moed vond haar droom een laatste kans te geven. Susans levensverhaal is een modern sprookje dat iedereen zal inspireren zijn of haar droom te volgen.
December 30, 2014
it was a nice story to read. but the author kept on going about the same thing. like she would talk about how when she was born she had "Something" wrong with her so it caused her some difficulties learning at the start and repeat it throughout the whole. so i didn't really like it. and i was angry that it didn't speak about her childhood that much cause it was like only 5 or 7 pages long. so yeaah. i kinda thought it was alright tho. so i wouldn't really recommend it to anyone but it was still a nice. 2/5 cause im feeling generous.
May 17, 2010
Interesting read and generally well done although a little repetitive at times. The author must be a Brit, as there were many Brit-isms that were new to me...think I might incorporate "gobsmacked", though. What a fun word. Towards the end, the author talked about how many have tried to analyze the phenomenon. For me, Susan's singing just touches me in a very deep place - I am moved and am grateful. I don't have to analyze it. I just feel it. And she is the steward of a remarkable gift. Kudos to Susan
January 15, 2016
Please note - my rating reflects this book and not Susan Boyle.
I got this book from the library because it was the only one available about Susan Boyle and I didn't notice the tiny print that said "unauthorized biography." This book is just a compilation of information gathered from periodicals, television interviews, and performances. That is the extent of the "research" involved; the author doesn't dig deeper on any issues. The author also repeats herself, the author also repeats herself, the author also repeats herself - and even mentions that she has previously mentioned something.
I got this book from the library because it was the only one available about Susan Boyle and I didn't notice the tiny print that said "unauthorized biography." This book is just a compilation of information gathered from periodicals, television interviews, and performances. That is the extent of the "research" involved; the author doesn't dig deeper on any issues. The author also repeats herself, the author also repeats herself, the author also repeats herself - and even mentions that she has previously mentioned something.
December 5, 2010
I was hoping for a much better read about this fascinating person. Too much repetition throughout the book. The first half deals with all the politics surrounding the Britain's Got Talent show where Susan Boyle made her history making appearance. I liked the second half of the book which covers Susan growing up and her initial attempts to get people to recognize her talent. Also the worldwide reaction to Susan's singing ability is put into perspective and is quite interesting.
October 16, 2013
Susan Boyle is not just an episode in TV entertainment, she is real as difficult life and Montgomery's book displays the background of her life in fascinating detail.
Please help: IF you read books by Christian authors or about Christians like Susan, we need you Christian Social Witness on talkofJesus.com. Would you consider sharing a brief review with us?
http://talkofjesus.com/susan-boyle-dr...
January 16, 2023
Susan Doyle's Dreams Can Come True
Using Susan's words, "I was gobsmacked" hearing her unbelievable soothing beautiful, bright pleasant voice. I normally this type of music is not my cup of tea but I have been whipped and swept away by her music. I listen to her daily. Her story has many similarities with many of us and our growing up. She made her dream come true and how much richer we are being able to listen to her gifts she was given by God. Thank you Susan Boyle.
Using Susan's words, "I was gobsmacked" hearing her unbelievable soothing beautiful, bright pleasant voice. I normally this type of music is not my cup of tea but I have been whipped and swept away by her music. I listen to her daily. Her story has many similarities with many of us and our growing up. She made her dream come true and how much richer we are being able to listen to her gifts she was given by God. Thank you Susan Boyle.
February 17, 2015
This was a blind date from the library. My first reaction: "ugh". But I gave it a chance and read 50 pages. Still ugh. If it was an autobiography I would give it more time but this is an unauthorised biography (otherwise known as gossip), culled from the internet (the last pages are made up of YouTube comments, for Pete's sake) and thrown together to make a quick buck.
September 7, 2015
Found this in a second-hand bookstore and was curious to read something about the background to the phenomenon that took "Britain's Got Talent" by storm. It is such a lovely fairytale story and there's no doubting Susan's talent. However, the book was very ordinary, just as Susan, talent apart, is a very ordinary person.
December 27, 2015
Amazing! Truly Blessed!
I mirrors my own life in relation to school,lack of playmates,low self worth and being shy. I can relate well to her. I've grown up, much less shy,but still have a few issues to overcome. Ms. Boyle's story has given me more confidence to become more outgoing. God Bless Her !
I mirrors my own life in relation to school,lack of playmates,low self worth and being shy. I can relate well to her. I've grown up, much less shy,but still have a few issues to overcome. Ms. Boyle's story has given me more confidence to become more outgoing. God Bless Her !
January 5, 2011
Quality wise the writing could have been done by a middle school student. I finished it only because I was interested in tidbits about Susan Boyle, who I admire as a person and think is a fantastic singer. Sadly the tidbits were few and far between.
February 10, 2011
Interesting story of the Susan Boyle phenomenon. Nothing earth shattering in this unauthorized biographay. It was an interesting read from the stand point of following how the electronic society we currently live in can take someone from obscurity to international renown in literally days.
March 3, 2011
Susan Boyle's story is amazing!!! I personally think she's only a decent story, but being where she came from, her story is very inspiring.
Only rated a 3 because the book itself was "eh" in my opinion. Not written that well, too repetitive and a wee bit exaggerating in lots of parts.
Only rated a 3 because the book itself was "eh" in my opinion. Not written that well, too repetitive and a wee bit exaggerating in lots of parts.
March 13, 2012
Dear God, what a painful book this was to read! What should have taken a day or two to read took a week. It just dragged on forever, and the author kept repeating the same things over and over again. If you value your time, spend it doing something besides reading this!
February 20, 2010
It was fun to read about her, but the editors should have shortened the book a bit. There just wasn't enough info for that many pages of reading. A little repetitive.
March 5, 2010
Although I am facinated by the Cinderella story of Susan Boyle, I felt this book did not do her justice. Perhaps it was published a bit too hurridly as the flow seems confusing.
April 21, 2010
this is an excellent book.I knew very little about Susan and have a greater understanding of her talent and learning disaility. She is remarkable.
April 24, 2010
This was interesting, but I thought it would tell more about Susan Boyle's life than it did. It mainly talked about her experience on Britain's Got Talent and how it effected her.
June 14, 2010
What a rags to riches story and Susan Boyle is trule a very special person. She dared to dream and I hope she can retain her purity of heart. What a feel good story..
September 22, 2010
More like a long People magazine article than a full-scale biography, but when the book utilizes the term "Unauthorized," well, that's pretty much what you get.
December 1, 2010
I only made it through about 3 chapters. It's written from the media's point of view. Susan's autobiography is much better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews