We Three

by John Barrymore

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

John Barrymore, known as "the great profile," apparently acted stage as Hamlet and Richard III and in many motion pictures, including Dinner at Eight in 1933; this family of Americans included Lionel Barrymore, his brother, and Ethel Barrymore, his sister.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ba...

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow up, from John Barrymore's first autobiography, Confessions of an Actor. This was written, 9 years after Confessions. In this book, John shares some stories about his siblings and himself, growing up in a theater family. His story, about when Lionel was thirteen and he was 9, living in Long Island, in a house their father owned for a whole summer. The brothers lived there for the most part, by themselves. The only person they saw everyday, was the caretaker of the house and 35 dogs. The way John talks about this story, you can feel, this story meant a lot to him. He explains it with such enjoyment, you can tell, Lionel and John, had a fun summer that year.

Besides talking about their time growing up. John writes a lot, admiration about his two siblings. At one part, he says, that the three of us, are so different from each other and that is probably why, the three of us, get along so well.

[Brenda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful little book that I enjoy due to the obvious affection for his siblings expressed. I particularly love the stories of his young years with him and Lionel. Someone stated bias views. Well I think he had a lot of admiration for Lionel and Ethel. And some obvious idolization for his older brother.

Instead of blowing his own horn he talked about Lionel’s wonderful and sometimes overlooked talent. Particularly touching seeing how underrated Lionel was over the years. And I think John could see that. The over all opinion Lionel being considered “second best.” Hogwash! They were both equally as awesome and talented in their own right. I admired John alot more after this book despite his over the top attention and the bafoon years. I have to admit some of the books re him disgusted me. The boozing and womanizing. But he was quite humble here and those things not detailed in this book. I suspect this one might be too tame for some if you like those wild stories. But It gave me a feeling of melancholy somewhat reading it. It was a different side to John. If only he had not let alcohol and stardom destroy him.. As Ethel said in another book. “You should of seen him before he came out here (speaking of Hollywood) he was nothing like that..” I believe that.

[Christopher Kidder-mostrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a wonderful little book that chronicles the lives of Ethel, Lionel, and John Barrymore through the very biased view of the youngest of the siblings.