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Audrey and Bill: A Romantic Biography of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden
Here for the first time is the complete, captivating story of an on-set romance that turned into a lifelong love story between silver screen legends Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. In 1954, Hepburn and Holden were America’s sweethearts. Both won Oscars that year and together they filmed Sabrina, a now-iconic film that continues to inspire the worlds of film and fashion.
Audrey & Bill tells the stories of both stars, from before they met to their electrifying first encounter when they began making Sabrina. The love affair that sparked on-set was relatively short-lived, but was a turning point in the lives of both stars. Audrey & Bill follows both Hepburn and Holden as their lives crisscrossed through to the end, providing an inside look at the Hollywood of the 1950s, ’60s, and beyond. Through in-depth research and interviews with former friends, co-stars, and studio workers, Audrey & Bill author Edward Z. Epstein sheds new light on the stars and the fascinating times in which they lived.
Audrey & Bill tells the stories of both stars, from before they met to their electrifying first encounter when they began making Sabrina. The love affair that sparked on-set was relatively short-lived, but was a turning point in the lives of both stars. Audrey & Bill follows both Hepburn and Holden as their lives crisscrossed through to the end, providing an inside look at the Hollywood of the 1950s, ’60s, and beyond. Through in-depth research and interviews with former friends, co-stars, and studio workers, Audrey & Bill author Edward Z. Epstein sheds new light on the stars and the fascinating times in which they lived.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 26, 2023
"For Hollywood historians, it is an interesting coincidence that Audrey and Bill each died at the same age: sixty-three. [However] their personas, in the prime of their lives when they were deeply in love - the days when it seemed all possible - live on in [their 1954 film] 'Sabrina.'" -- on page 223
Audrey and Bill does a disservice to potential readers with a title and cover art that suggests the book hyper-focuses on the duo's clandestine romance during the filming of Sabrina in 1954. (It should be noted that they were arguably America's biggest movie stars at that time, with each of them having won lead acting Oscars for films in the previous year - Roman Holiday for Hepburn, Stalag 17 for Holden.). However, their actual affair was fairly brief - although they seemed to carry a torch for each other, maybe Holden more so than Hepburn, in the following years - and the duo did not reunite except to make another but much less-remembered film ten years later. So what exactly is the narrative of this book? It biographically traces their respective career and personal life trajectory throughout the 1950's, 60's, and 70's. I found them both to be interesting personalities, with 1.) the lovely and graceful Hepburn finding fulfillment as a UNICEF ambassador after retiring from acting and 2.) the rollercoaster ride of Holden's acting stardom. Here is a man who was very successful - he headlined an unprecedented FOUR hit films (Executive Suite, The Country Girl, and The Bridges at Toko-Ri, along with Sabrina) in just 1954 alone, then hit a slump in the next decade which would sideline lesser men. Then he strikingly rebounded in his final ten or so years to have a wonderful second act of sorts which included the critically-acclaimed The Wild Bunch, Network, and an Emmy win for The Blue Knight, a police drama which was American TV's first miniseries back in 1973. A controversial actor is quoted in the final chapter that "There's masculinity, there's intelligence, and there's sensitivity. You've got to bring those three things to a leading man's role . . . with Holden it was always the perfect mix.". I don't think anyone could state it better about 'The Golden Boy.'
Audrey and Bill does a disservice to potential readers with a title and cover art that suggests the book hyper-focuses on the duo's clandestine romance during the filming of Sabrina in 1954. (It should be noted that they were arguably America's biggest movie stars at that time, with each of them having won lead acting Oscars for films in the previous year - Roman Holiday for Hepburn, Stalag 17 for Holden.). However, their actual affair was fairly brief - although they seemed to carry a torch for each other, maybe Holden more so than Hepburn, in the following years - and the duo did not reunite except to make another but much less-remembered film ten years later. So what exactly is the narrative of this book? It biographically traces their respective career and personal life trajectory throughout the 1950's, 60's, and 70's. I found them both to be interesting personalities, with 1.) the lovely and graceful Hepburn finding fulfillment as a UNICEF ambassador after retiring from acting and 2.) the rollercoaster ride of Holden's acting stardom. Here is a man who was very successful - he headlined an unprecedented FOUR hit films (Executive Suite, The Country Girl, and The Bridges at Toko-Ri, along with Sabrina) in just 1954 alone, then hit a slump in the next decade which would sideline lesser men. Then he strikingly rebounded in his final ten or so years to have a wonderful second act of sorts which included the critically-acclaimed The Wild Bunch, Network, and an Emmy win for The Blue Knight, a police drama which was American TV's first miniseries back in 1973. A controversial actor is quoted in the final chapter that "There's masculinity, there's intelligence, and there's sensitivity. You've got to bring those three things to a leading man's role . . . with Holden it was always the perfect mix.". I don't think anyone could state it better about 'The Golden Boy.'
January 14, 2018
2.5 Stars
Audrey and Bill is suppose to be about the passionate and all consuming love affair between Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. A relationship I didn't even know existed before this book. Well it turns out the reason I had never heard of this passionate and all consuming love affair was because it was a short term on-set fling. The "romance" this book is suppose to be about lasted less than a year and if I had to count the number of pages the relationship took up in this book it would be under 50 pages.
This book is not about Audrey and Bill, its really just a shallow and boring Audrey Hepburn biography with an occasional cameo from Bill Holden. Its not even a great Audrey Hepburn biography. Audrey is painted as perfect, graceful, dignified and naïve till her dying day.
Really?
Bill is the strong silent type who never liked acting and never wanted to be famous.
Really?
The author even romantizes Bill's lifelong battle with depression and alcohol. A battle that would eventually take his life in a sad horrible way. He was drunk fell and hit his head on glass coffee table and slowly bleed to death, his body wasn't found for 4 days.
I don't recommend this book. You can get all the same basic info from a simple Google search. There are way better biographies of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden read one of them instead.
Audrey and Bill is suppose to be about the passionate and all consuming love affair between Audrey Hepburn and William Holden. A relationship I didn't even know existed before this book. Well it turns out the reason I had never heard of this passionate and all consuming love affair was because it was a short term on-set fling. The "romance" this book is suppose to be about lasted less than a year and if I had to count the number of pages the relationship took up in this book it would be under 50 pages.
This book is not about Audrey and Bill, its really just a shallow and boring Audrey Hepburn biography with an occasional cameo from Bill Holden. Its not even a great Audrey Hepburn biography. Audrey is painted as perfect, graceful, dignified and naïve till her dying day.
Really?
Bill is the strong silent type who never liked acting and never wanted to be famous.
Really?
The author even romantizes Bill's lifelong battle with depression and alcohol. A battle that would eventually take his life in a sad horrible way. He was drunk fell and hit his head on glass coffee table and slowly bleed to death, his body wasn't found for 4 days.
I don't recommend this book. You can get all the same basic info from a simple Google search. There are way better biographies of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden read one of them instead.
March 3, 2017
If you're going into this book expecting a comprehensive look into Hepburn and Holden's love affair then you must not know much about them. Their affair was brief and at the beginning of Hepburn's career, not nearly enough material for a whole book. What you get with this book is two biographies in one, following their separate careers and personal lives throughout the decades. What ties it together apart from the obvious Hollywood and mutual friends connection is the authors claims that Bill saw Audrey as the love of his life and while having many affairs and long lasting relationships after her was never able to get over her completely. Both were part of the Old Hollywood system that made sure to keep their actors personal bad habits and affairs as far away from the media as possible, making sure to maintain the idealistic images they had onscreen so it's always an interesting experience to read how these larger then life, images of perfection were in fact human, complete with all the flaws that come with being such. For some that can be a blow (What! You mean Audrey Hepburn wasn't perfect?!) but I've always found this reassuring.
Epstein tends to put the focus more on Audrey and at times I felt as though I was reading her biography alone until a random paragraph or two would mention what Bill was up to which left me wanting more on his end. He also focuses more on the personal aspect of things, even when it came to facts about filming. Epstein does a good job of covering Audrey's major films but leaves out a lot of Holden's work, glossing over it with a single sentence or not even mentioning it at all, that is unless he was having a sexual relationship with a costar. He also leaves out so many talented people both Audrey & Bill worked with in film that I had been looking forward to reading about.
It also felt at times as though I was reading more gossip then actual fact, especially when it came to love affairs, personal feelings, and insinuations that a large part of Bills depression and alcoholism, even decades after their affair ended came from his longing for Audrey. Still, there is enough facts in here to make it a worthwhile read, especially for Audrey fans. Hopefully by putting their stories together it will make those reading for Audrey want to look up more on Holden or vice versa.
However theres nothing wrong with a little juicy gossip here and there as long as theirs enough fact to make the book worthwhile which I believe it is. I'm not sure how much new information die hard Audrey fans will get from this, I've never read a book on her but I knew quite a lot already but there was still plenty of interesting tibits to make this one an enjoyable read.
*Thank you Running Press & Netgalley for this review copy.
Epstein tends to put the focus more on Audrey and at times I felt as though I was reading her biography alone until a random paragraph or two would mention what Bill was up to which left me wanting more on his end. He also focuses more on the personal aspect of things, even when it came to facts about filming. Epstein does a good job of covering Audrey's major films but leaves out a lot of Holden's work, glossing over it with a single sentence or not even mentioning it at all, that is unless he was having a sexual relationship with a costar. He also leaves out so many talented people both Audrey & Bill worked with in film that I had been looking forward to reading about.
It also felt at times as though I was reading more gossip then actual fact, especially when it came to love affairs, personal feelings, and insinuations that a large part of Bills depression and alcoholism, even decades after their affair ended came from his longing for Audrey. Still, there is enough facts in here to make it a worthwhile read, especially for Audrey fans. Hopefully by putting their stories together it will make those reading for Audrey want to look up more on Holden or vice versa.
However theres nothing wrong with a little juicy gossip here and there as long as theirs enough fact to make the book worthwhile which I believe it is. I'm not sure how much new information die hard Audrey fans will get from this, I've never read a book on her but I knew quite a lot already but there was still plenty of interesting tibits to make this one an enjoyable read.
*Thank you Running Press & Netgalley for this review copy.
December 2, 2016
4 For the Love of It Stars
* * * *
Oh, the Golden Age of Hollywood... There was a time when we, as viewers of movies, had very limited access to the stars of the films... there was no TMZ, Internet or cell phones and their cameras...The images we were allowed of our movie stars were very limited and carefully monitored by movie studios and PR people. Scandal was not something which would be tolerated or like today used to make someone into a celebrity. Lives were closely monitored and life changing decisions were made with these things in mind.
Both, Audrey Hepburn and Bill Holden were part of this system. Both had upbringings and past histories which molded them into the budding stars they were....and all of this came together when they first met and worked together on the movie, Sabrina.
This book tells the tales of both Audrey Hepburn and William (Bill) Holden. It shares how they fell hard for each other; the love they had, why it happened, how the studios hid it and what was the cause for their break up. It also shows the impact this love affair had on Holden throughout his life.
What was the main reveal in this book as we follow these stars through their lives is how their images were not who these people were... we learn of their deepest, darkest fears, their weaknesses and strengths and what were their ultimate wishes...
This book gave "inside" information on happenings on sets, locations and parties. There were back stories and interview snippets. I don't know if they were directly given to the author or if they were from researching from all of the material listed in the book. Either way, if you are an Audrey Hepburn fan... this gives a very in depth look at the woman as well as her career. It does the same for Holden.
These were real people with real weaknesses... one was drink; the other was the need and desire to be loved and cared for...and to be the mother with a family life. Both had their insecurities...both underestimated their talents.
Their time was at first a Golden Age... protected and molded by giants... then these two survived the changes...we, through this book are able to see how they did it.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * *
Oh, the Golden Age of Hollywood... There was a time when we, as viewers of movies, had very limited access to the stars of the films... there was no TMZ, Internet or cell phones and their cameras...The images we were allowed of our movie stars were very limited and carefully monitored by movie studios and PR people. Scandal was not something which would be tolerated or like today used to make someone into a celebrity. Lives were closely monitored and life changing decisions were made with these things in mind.
Both, Audrey Hepburn and Bill Holden were part of this system. Both had upbringings and past histories which molded them into the budding stars they were....and all of this came together when they first met and worked together on the movie, Sabrina.
This book tells the tales of both Audrey Hepburn and William (Bill) Holden. It shares how they fell hard for each other; the love they had, why it happened, how the studios hid it and what was the cause for their break up. It also shows the impact this love affair had on Holden throughout his life.
What was the main reveal in this book as we follow these stars through their lives is how their images were not who these people were... we learn of their deepest, darkest fears, their weaknesses and strengths and what were their ultimate wishes...
This book gave "inside" information on happenings on sets, locations and parties. There were back stories and interview snippets. I don't know if they were directly given to the author or if they were from researching from all of the material listed in the book. Either way, if you are an Audrey Hepburn fan... this gives a very in depth look at the woman as well as her career. It does the same for Holden.
These were real people with real weaknesses... one was drink; the other was the need and desire to be loved and cared for...and to be the mother with a family life. Both had their insecurities...both underestimated their talents.
Their time was at first a Golden Age... protected and molded by giants... then these two survived the changes...we, through this book are able to see how they did it.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
December 10, 2015
Roman Holiday is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's a wonderful feel-good movie and Audrey Hepburn together with Gregory Peck make the movie truly marvelous. Sabrina is also a good movie, but I have always preferred Bogart to Holden so I've never really cared that much about his role in the movie, but someone that cared very much was Audrey Hepburn, she fell in love with him. But their romance was doomed from the start...
This book has been lying and waiting to be read since I requested it from Edelweiss and today did I pick it to read by chance. It's a fast read, started to read it this morning when I was out walking my cat, read 10% of it during the "walk", well Caesar was mostly lying on the grass. Thank God for the kindle app on my iPhone!
I never thought I would give the book 4 stars. I thought 3-3.5 would perhaps be sufficiently when I started to read it, but it was such an enjoyable book. Sure most information about Audrey Hepburn and William Holden can you find on the internet, there are no big exposes in this book. But it's a great book about a doomed romance between two iconic movie stars.
I recommend this book to fans of the old Tinseltown. To people like me that love the old movies, the old movie stars.
William Holden and Audrey Hepburn may never have gotten a happily ever after life, but they got for a while during the filming of Sabrina a great time together.
I received this copy from the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!
Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World
This book has been lying and waiting to be read since I requested it from Edelweiss and today did I pick it to read by chance. It's a fast read, started to read it this morning when I was out walking my cat, read 10% of it during the "walk", well Caesar was mostly lying on the grass. Thank God for the kindle app on my iPhone!
I never thought I would give the book 4 stars. I thought 3-3.5 would perhaps be sufficiently when I started to read it, but it was such an enjoyable book. Sure most information about Audrey Hepburn and William Holden can you find on the internet, there are no big exposes in this book. But it's a great book about a doomed romance between two iconic movie stars.
I recommend this book to fans of the old Tinseltown. To people like me that love the old movies, the old movie stars.
William Holden and Audrey Hepburn may never have gotten a happily ever after life, but they got for a while during the filming of Sabrina a great time together.
I received this copy from the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!
Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World
December 23, 2014
*NetGalley book review*
I LOVE Audrey Hepburn and was very interested in learning about her life. This was a great read and a peek into a glamorous world win love with her husband and fellow actor. I just ate this book up. Very good writing and loved every little detail. Perfect book for any fan of either or both actors.
I LOVE Audrey Hepburn and was very interested in learning about her life. This was a great read and a peek into a glamorous world win love with her husband and fellow actor. I just ate this book up. Very good writing and loved every little detail. Perfect book for any fan of either or both actors.
November 10, 2023
My thanks to NetGalley and Perseus Book Group/Running Press for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
Ok. This book....sigh. I wanted to love what was between the covers as much as I loved that cover and loved Audrey Hepburn.
However.
Folks, take a lesson from me. DON'T read about those you have put on a pedestal/believe the hype about someone because they are just humans with feet of clay who will most likely spit on what you consider moral and decent. Because life is messy and with hindsight, my life wouldn't bear much scrutiny either. So #not judging, just #disappointedinAudrey.
This book had NO citations, footnotes, endnotes, etc., but when I got to the end with the acknowledgments, the author makes clear that he got all of this info from himself being an insider and actually talking to a lot of the people involved. Though he HAD to have done some fact checking. If he did, he should show those sources and if not, he should have fact checked. One star docked., the English major in me wants citations/notes.
I also didn't enjoy how he would put thoughts and feelings onto real people, for example writing, "She must have felt..." "He must have been thinking...". No. If what they were feeling and thinking wasn't directly from them, whether oral or written down, you shouldn't be telling the reader what you THINK the person being discussed was thinking or feeling. You don't know and it's rude and wrong to assume. One star docked, sloppy writing (to me).
I was also assuming from the cover, title and alleged thesis of this book that Audrey and Bill had this huge, earth-shaking, life affecting love affair. I went on Wiki and looked up both of their pages. They are barely to not-at-all mentioned on each other's page. Some love affair!
Though, to be fair, Audrey had her sights set on a married man with children and the only reason she didn't wreck that home was because he had a non-reversible vasectomy and she wanted babies. And she dropped him SO COLDLY after finding out about it. One minute, she was madly in love. The next? New phone, who dis?
So I can see why her family wouldn't want that up on Wiki for all the world to see. She has an image, even after passing away, that needs to be maintained.
He doesn't come up smelling any sweeter, because he couldn't keep it in his pants and he would have left his wife and kids for her if she would have kept him. Would he have been true to her? Would she have been true to him? Who could tell? The world they lived in, Hollywoodland, didn't seem to have many of the morals the studios were pretending to promote. One star docked. (Yes, I did just dock a star for my illusions being shattered.)
So this book was a HUGE disappointment to me. However, I Buddy Read it with a friend who likes that time and place and they enjoyed the book a lot more than I did, so take what I say with a grain of salt. If you like that time period and know people are fallible, then this book will probably work for you. It just didn't for me.
2, I was hoping for better then what I got, stars.
Ok. This book....sigh. I wanted to love what was between the covers as much as I loved that cover and loved Audrey Hepburn.
However.
Folks, take a lesson from me. DON'T read about those you have put on a pedestal/believe the hype about someone because they are just humans with feet of clay who will most likely spit on what you consider moral and decent. Because life is messy and with hindsight, my life wouldn't bear much scrutiny either. So #not judging, just #disappointedinAudrey.
This book had NO citations, footnotes, endnotes, etc., but when I got to the end with the acknowledgments, the author makes clear that he got all of this info from himself being an insider and actually talking to a lot of the people involved. Though he HAD to have done some fact checking. If he did, he should show those sources and if not, he should have fact checked. One star docked., the English major in me wants citations/notes.
I also didn't enjoy how he would put thoughts and feelings onto real people, for example writing, "She must have felt..." "He must have been thinking...". No. If what they were feeling and thinking wasn't directly from them, whether oral or written down, you shouldn't be telling the reader what you THINK the person being discussed was thinking or feeling. You don't know and it's rude and wrong to assume. One star docked, sloppy writing (to me).
I was also assuming from the cover, title and alleged thesis of this book that Audrey and Bill had this huge, earth-shaking, life affecting love affair. I went on Wiki and looked up both of their pages. They are barely to not-at-all mentioned on each other's page. Some love affair!
Though, to be fair, Audrey had her sights set on a married man with children and the only reason she didn't wreck that home was because he had a non-reversible vasectomy and she wanted babies. And she dropped him SO COLDLY after finding out about it. One minute, she was madly in love. The next? New phone, who dis?
So I can see why her family wouldn't want that up on Wiki for all the world to see. She has an image, even after passing away, that needs to be maintained.
He doesn't come up smelling any sweeter, because he couldn't keep it in his pants and he would have left his wife and kids for her if she would have kept him. Would he have been true to her? Would she have been true to him? Who could tell? The world they lived in, Hollywoodland, didn't seem to have many of the morals the studios were pretending to promote. One star docked. (Yes, I did just dock a star for my illusions being shattered.)
So this book was a HUGE disappointment to me. However, I Buddy Read it with a friend who likes that time and place and they enjoyed the book a lot more than I did, so take what I say with a grain of salt. If you like that time period and know people are fallible, then this book will probably work for you. It just didn't for me.
2, I was hoping for better then what I got, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2015
Incredibly shallow book about two very complex and tragic people. Edward Epstein is the lowest type of celebrity journalist, ignoring all the human suffering and the obvious misery and focusing on "didn't they look fabulous together in all those romantic movies!"
March 28, 2020
Herkese merhabalar
Bu psikolojimizin sınırlarını zorlayan gündemden uzak bir kitap okumalıydım ve bende Audrey'i seçtim.
Tiffanyde kahvaltı filminden sonra Audrey Hepburn hayranlığı bende başlamıştı kim hayran değil ki
Zerafetin adı olabilir bence. Uzun süredir Audrey Hepburn biyografisini okumak istemiştim bir türlü alamadım. Başka bir biyografisi vardı aklımda eminim o da güzeldir ama ben bir daha okuyacağımı sanmam.
Başladığımdan beri elimden bırakamadığım bir kitap mesela ben film sektörü hakkında hiç kitap okumamışım onu farkettim.
Ve asıl kitapların ufkumu nasıl açtığını unuttuğumu farkettim. Hiç bilemeyeceğim bir konuda fikir sahibi oluyorum bu mükemmel birşey :)
~
Film sektörü Rekabetçi zor garip bir ortammış. Hayatları çalkantılı ve iniş çıkış doluymuş... Hepimiz gibi...
Billy holden la güzel bir aşk yaşamışlar ama beni asıl şaşırtan Audrey'in kafamdaki hanımcık imajından çok daha farklı olması.
Ama annelik sevgisi çok kuvvetliymiş iş ahlakı çok güzelmiş.
~
Herşeye rağmen Audrey Hepburn fanıyım ve öyle kalacağım.
Eğer sizde Audrey Hepburn ün filmlerinden ötesini bilmek isterseniz bu ikili biyografi kitabını okuyabilirsiniz tavsiye ederim.
Bu psikolojimizin sınırlarını zorlayan gündemden uzak bir kitap okumalıydım ve bende Audrey'i seçtim.
Tiffanyde kahvaltı filminden sonra Audrey Hepburn hayranlığı bende başlamıştı kim hayran değil ki
Zerafetin adı olabilir bence. Uzun süredir Audrey Hepburn biyografisini okumak istemiştim bir türlü alamadım. Başka bir biyografisi vardı aklımda eminim o da güzeldir ama ben bir daha okuyacağımı sanmam.
Başladığımdan beri elimden bırakamadığım bir kitap mesela ben film sektörü hakkında hiç kitap okumamışım onu farkettim.
Ve asıl kitapların ufkumu nasıl açtığını unuttuğumu farkettim. Hiç bilemeyeceğim bir konuda fikir sahibi oluyorum bu mükemmel birşey :)
~
Film sektörü Rekabetçi zor garip bir ortammış. Hayatları çalkantılı ve iniş çıkış doluymuş... Hepimiz gibi...
Billy holden la güzel bir aşk yaşamışlar ama beni asıl şaşırtan Audrey'in kafamdaki hanımcık imajından çok daha farklı olması.
Ama annelik sevgisi çok kuvvetliymiş iş ahlakı çok güzelmiş.
~
Herşeye rağmen Audrey Hepburn fanıyım ve öyle kalacağım.
Eğer sizde Audrey Hepburn ün filmlerinden ötesini bilmek isterseniz bu ikili biyografi kitabını okuyabilirsiniz tavsiye ederim.
March 13, 2015
I really enjoyed this book as a big fan of Audrey Hepburn I wanted to see what else I could learn about her. Interesting read with William Holden and their early relationship. The behind the scenes and glimpse were nice to read about. It was a nice read.
June 23, 2019
Humphrey Bogart strongly disliked Audrey Hepburn?!? He threw a party on the set of Sabrina and DIDN'T INVITE HER??? This is quite possibly the most depressing nugget of information I've ever received.
August 18, 2021
This was a bit of a stretch. They had an on set fling, that’s all..
February 25, 2020
Wow! I was not prepared for what I was getting into here!No, it's not because of scandal or heart break. It's because I didn't have near the foundation of understanding of who Audrey and Bill were and the works that made them so influential that I should have had. Now I just feel totally deprived! Thankfully, I made a list of movies I now need to see because of this book!
I guess that's not the kind of review you were expecting. That's okay because I did write a review, a real one! You can real that here! ---> https://www.storybookem.com/post/book...
I guess that's not the kind of review you were expecting. That's okay because I did write a review, a real one! You can real that here! ---> https://www.storybookem.com/post/book...
January 12, 2015
(I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
I've always considered myself a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn, but I learned quite a bit about her that I didn't already know. This biography focuses more on Audrey than Bill, or at least it seemed that way to me, but there is still a good bit of information about Mr. Holden, as well.
I love reading biographies and autobiographies of actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. They always seemed so poised and glamorous, yet they're human and face the same insecurities and problems as the rest of us. I was thrilled when I saw this bio was available on NetGalley.
I find it a little strange that a biography is dedicated to two different actors, especially when this affair happened so early in Audrey's career. It seemed like she eventually moved on - marrying a couple of times, and having two children. The author never mentioned that she continued to pine for Bill. While no one really knows for sure, it seems like Bill may have been the one who never got over Audrey. However, according to the book, it didn't seem to affect their lives permanently, so I suppose that's why it seems a bit odd for a double biography.
That being said, I did really enjoy reading about each of their lives and careers. I loved the behind-the-scenes glimpses of filming some of their classic and iconic films. I've seen several of Audrey's, but not many of Bill's, and reading this has inspired me to see as many as I can.
I suppose it says a lot about their respective acting abilities that while they both looked and seemed so put together and graceful on screen, they both hid dark and difficult parts of their lives - alcoholism for Bill, and depression and insecurity about her looks for Audrey.
While the author seemed a bit biased at times, this biography is still well-researched and informative. I would highly recommend it to fans of Audrey and Bill, or anyone who enjoys biographies of actors.
I've always considered myself a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn, but I learned quite a bit about her that I didn't already know. This biography focuses more on Audrey than Bill, or at least it seemed that way to me, but there is still a good bit of information about Mr. Holden, as well.
I love reading biographies and autobiographies of actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood. They always seemed so poised and glamorous, yet they're human and face the same insecurities and problems as the rest of us. I was thrilled when I saw this bio was available on NetGalley.
I find it a little strange that a biography is dedicated to two different actors, especially when this affair happened so early in Audrey's career. It seemed like she eventually moved on - marrying a couple of times, and having two children. The author never mentioned that she continued to pine for Bill. While no one really knows for sure, it seems like Bill may have been the one who never got over Audrey. However, according to the book, it didn't seem to affect their lives permanently, so I suppose that's why it seems a bit odd for a double biography.
That being said, I did really enjoy reading about each of their lives and careers. I loved the behind-the-scenes glimpses of filming some of their classic and iconic films. I've seen several of Audrey's, but not many of Bill's, and reading this has inspired me to see as many as I can.
I suppose it says a lot about their respective acting abilities that while they both looked and seemed so put together and graceful on screen, they both hid dark and difficult parts of their lives - alcoholism for Bill, and depression and insecurity about her looks for Audrey.
While the author seemed a bit biased at times, this biography is still well-researched and informative. I would highly recommend it to fans of Audrey and Bill, or anyone who enjoys biographies of actors.
July 10, 2016
This book was really two biographies in one...one on Audrey Hepburn & one on William Holden. Occasionally their paths crossed, but it would never be like it was when they filmed Sabrina. This book also focused on when stars were under long term contract by a studio which was very interesting. I've heard different things, especially about Judy Garland, but this book really focused on how those contracts worked and how the studios could cover up gossip. This book also have insight to various stars at that time, especially Grace Kelly. And interesting book about old Hollywood and two of its beloved stars.
June 11, 2017
Well written, but as much as I loved Aubrey in her early films, I didn't much care for the overarching Hollywood theme. What a train wreck.
August 22, 2017
title is a bit misleading, the romance between the 2 stars barely lasted past the movie Sabrina. It was sad if they really cared about one another for it to go the way it did.
December 28, 2018
This book is very light read with the focus on the romances of Audrey Hepburn and William Holden including a brief fling they had around the making of the movie Sabrina. The author spends a great deal more time on Hepburn than he does Holden, so a reader needs to keep that in mind. An early mistake in the book causes me to wonder about the rest of the research done on the book. The book states that Holden spent his teenage years in Pasadena. It was actually South Pasadena and it wasn't hard for me to find it.
I can only recommend this book for anyone who wants an overview of life of the two actors with the emphasis on Audrey Hepburn.
I received a free Kindle copy of Audrey and Bill by Ernest Epstein courtesy of Net Galley and Perseus Books, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I have seen many of the movies made by the two actors. This is the first book by the author that I have read.
I can only recommend this book for anyone who wants an overview of life of the two actors with the emphasis on Audrey Hepburn.
I received a free Kindle copy of Audrey and Bill by Ernest Epstein courtesy of Net Galley and Perseus Books, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my fiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus pages.
I requested this book as I have seen many of the movies made by the two actors. This is the first book by the author that I have read.
August 12, 2022
I wanted to read this book because I'm a huge Audrey Hepburn fan and I was looking forward to learning more about her love affair with William Holden, but I was honestly a bit disappointed as only about 25% of the book was dedicated to their relationship. The rest of the book covered their separate careers and separate love lives, with more of an emphasis on Hepburn's life than Holden's. I enjoyed what I read, but I felt like the book's description was a touch deceptive.
As the book was well written and I enjoyed the photographs that were included, I'm giving it 3/5 stars.
3 out of 5 stars.
*** I would like to thank Perseus Books Group and Edward Z. Epstein for the opportunity to read and review this book.
As the book was well written and I enjoyed the photographs that were included, I'm giving it 3/5 stars.
3 out of 5 stars.
*** I would like to thank Perseus Books Group and Edward Z. Epstein for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 2, 2020
Wasn't expecting much for a book I found at the Dollar Tree but it was really good. Can't say I watched many of their movies either - I think I saw two of hers and only Sunset Blvd of his and the I Love Lucy episode in reruns. I was, however, always intrigued by Audrey Hepburn and had no idea that she had an affair with Bill Holden. Very interesting book and well written. Author spent a lot of time doing his research and it showed in the work. A very fast read and wonderful pictures both black and white and color. A great read at any price!
September 20, 2021
Who doesn't like a gossipy bio of old Hollywood stars? I had no idea that Audrey and Bill were a thing back in the day. This book is filled with tidbits but is not salacious or mean spirited. Fans of Audrey will still love her. Same for fans of Bill. Very enjoyable and pleasant account.
September 13, 2024
It was okay. Mostly about Audrey, a bit about Bill, and their lives during and after their affair. The ending of the book feels like the way I ended every essay in school - I didn't know how so it was suddenly one final paragraph and done.
August 14, 2017
I recommend this book to Audrey Hepburn fans. It provides a different perspective on her life than the other biographies I have read.
September 11, 2017
Poorly researched. Poorly edited. Laughable sources. Don't bother.
May 1, 2019
A brief but interesting book,covers the sabrina film in the first few pages and the goes into a cleft stick situation by covering both stars after the film was made.an easy read with good photos.
July 28, 2022
The author veers off topic quite a bit to write a full length bio on Audrey instead of focusing only on the title subject, but eh. I only read the book because of Audrey anyway so...
January 16, 2024
Very good read. Good review of all the stars and movies that intertwined the lives of Hepburn and Holden. A review of all the famous movies of the era. The reader will make a list!
June 20, 2025
Nice telling of their stories of love and romance themselves and with others as time went on. Mixed both their lives on screen and off. Very clear and easy read.
January 26, 2016
Although this book stays true to the fact that it is about Audrey Hepburn and William Holden, one has to wonder when the title itself appears to be misleading. Audrey and Bill: A Romantic Biography of Audrey Hepburn & William Holden is not what it seems. This is not a story about Audrey and Bill...together. It is, in a way, a story about Audrey and Bill, but very little of it has to do with their time together. In fact, only the first part of the book, around eighty pages or so of 272, chronicles their love affair. The remaining pages chronicles their lives apart from each other...which makes it not a romantic biography.
However, though their affair was brief, there is no doubt that they fell in love. But once the affair was over...Bill went on to other women, and Audrey went on to marriage. The thing she wanted most in the world was a family, and though she had several miscarriages, she achieved that.
The book is more about Audrey than Bill, and there is no doubt that the author reveres her through all her faults. He lavishes praise upon her, while finding fault with the others mentioned in the book - Humphrey Bogart and Grace Kelly, for example; and even Bill himself. It seems rather gossipy at times, almost as if the author felt it were necessary to add snippets of such in order to keep us interested in reading the book. There was, every couple of chapters or so, something thrown in regarding Bill's life and career; the rest of the book was most definitely Audrey.
There is very little said about Bill's home life, except for the fact that he would bring his girlfriends home to his wife. Nothing is said about Ardis' reaction to this; in fact, nothing much is said of Ardis at all. It would be interesting to know why she didn't resume her career. Was she hoping Bill would see the 'error of his ways' and return to her? I would have liked to have known more about her side of the marriage; but in fact, there was very little about their marriage at all. I came away still not knowing much more about Bill than I already knew.
In the end, it is a very nice biography of Audrey Hepburn, and a so-so one about William Holden. There is no doubt that these were two talented actors (I will admit I am a bigger fan of William Holden, but like Audrey, too). They were also two fascinating people, and both lucky enough to have extensive careers in both film and personal pursuits. There are also quite a few nice pictures of the two. But unfortunately, I don't feel that there is a lot of new information here that can't be garnered elsewhere.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review but this in no way influenced my decision.
http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016...
However, though their affair was brief, there is no doubt that they fell in love. But once the affair was over...Bill went on to other women, and Audrey went on to marriage. The thing she wanted most in the world was a family, and though she had several miscarriages, she achieved that.
The book is more about Audrey than Bill, and there is no doubt that the author reveres her through all her faults. He lavishes praise upon her, while finding fault with the others mentioned in the book - Humphrey Bogart and Grace Kelly, for example; and even Bill himself. It seems rather gossipy at times, almost as if the author felt it were necessary to add snippets of such in order to keep us interested in reading the book. There was, every couple of chapters or so, something thrown in regarding Bill's life and career; the rest of the book was most definitely Audrey.
There is very little said about Bill's home life, except for the fact that he would bring his girlfriends home to his wife. Nothing is said about Ardis' reaction to this; in fact, nothing much is said of Ardis at all. It would be interesting to know why she didn't resume her career. Was she hoping Bill would see the 'error of his ways' and return to her? I would have liked to have known more about her side of the marriage; but in fact, there was very little about their marriage at all. I came away still not knowing much more about Bill than I already knew.
In the end, it is a very nice biography of Audrey Hepburn, and a so-so one about William Holden. There is no doubt that these were two talented actors (I will admit I am a bigger fan of William Holden, but like Audrey, too). They were also two fascinating people, and both lucky enough to have extensive careers in both film and personal pursuits. There are also quite a few nice pictures of the two. But unfortunately, I don't feel that there is a lot of new information here that can't be garnered elsewhere.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review but this in no way influenced my decision.
http://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/2016...
March 22, 2015
I was given an electronic copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. In fact, it’s not inaccurate to suggest she’s my personal idol. I have a huge picture from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (my favorite film of all time) hanging in my living room, and for many years I adopted a version of one of her characters as her online alias.
I knew next to nothing about William Holden, except for the fact that he died young and was an alcoholic. I knew they were co-stars in “Sabrina” and “Paris When it Sizzles”.
When I saw the title of this book, I couldn’t help but grab it for review immediately. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get it.
The cover art to me seemed deceptive. Yes, the book is about Hepburn and Holden. Yes, they did have an on-screen romance. However, it was short-lived (and Holden was married the entire time). If the book was about their romance, then it should have emphasized and expounded on the shooting of “Sabrina”. But that story is completed far too early in the book. Even though they did two films together many years apart, by the time the second one happened both had completely different lives and agendas.
The book is definitely a biography of the lives of the title characters (as stated in the small print). No doubt about that. But for some reason I felt a major disconnect from the text. There seemed to be a detachment; as if I was reading a newscast or hearing a report on the radio. It wasn’t hard to follow, but I do think it would have been better with time delineations. There’s far more emphasis on Audrey (and I had no problem with that; but there wasn’t much new information). It reads to me like a story of two contemporary actors whose lives temporarily intersected, not a lifelong romance or relationship in any way.
What radiated with me was the stories about how the films were cast and made – why an actor chose which role, how the studio dealt with certain issues (alcoholism, in Holden’s case). I liked hearing about the different directors that both actors worked with, and the craft of moviemaking itself. That’s what I expected to find. I was looking for anecdotes I hadn’t already heard (for example, why Audrey never did a Hitchcock film).
Unfortunately, I can’t say that I would recommend this book as a whole. I did enjoy the last third, and I think that if the author would have expanded on the backstage side of Hollywood further, instead of writing what at first glance was a tell-all book, it would have faired much better.
I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. In fact, it’s not inaccurate to suggest she’s my personal idol. I have a huge picture from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (my favorite film of all time) hanging in my living room, and for many years I adopted a version of one of her characters as her online alias.
I knew next to nothing about William Holden, except for the fact that he died young and was an alcoholic. I knew they were co-stars in “Sabrina” and “Paris When it Sizzles”.
When I saw the title of this book, I couldn’t help but grab it for review immediately. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but whatever it was, I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get it.
The cover art to me seemed deceptive. Yes, the book is about Hepburn and Holden. Yes, they did have an on-screen romance. However, it was short-lived (and Holden was married the entire time). If the book was about their romance, then it should have emphasized and expounded on the shooting of “Sabrina”. But that story is completed far too early in the book. Even though they did two films together many years apart, by the time the second one happened both had completely different lives and agendas.
The book is definitely a biography of the lives of the title characters (as stated in the small print). No doubt about that. But for some reason I felt a major disconnect from the text. There seemed to be a detachment; as if I was reading a newscast or hearing a report on the radio. It wasn’t hard to follow, but I do think it would have been better with time delineations. There’s far more emphasis on Audrey (and I had no problem with that; but there wasn’t much new information). It reads to me like a story of two contemporary actors whose lives temporarily intersected, not a lifelong romance or relationship in any way.
What radiated with me was the stories about how the films were cast and made – why an actor chose which role, how the studio dealt with certain issues (alcoholism, in Holden’s case). I liked hearing about the different directors that both actors worked with, and the craft of moviemaking itself. That’s what I expected to find. I was looking for anecdotes I hadn’t already heard (for example, why Audrey never did a Hitchcock film).
Unfortunately, I can’t say that I would recommend this book as a whole. I did enjoy the last third, and I think that if the author would have expanded on the backstage side of Hollywood further, instead of writing what at first glance was a tell-all book, it would have faired much better.
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