Audrey Hepburn: An Intimate Portrait

by Diana Maychick

A biography of the screen legend, based on more than one hundred interviews with family and friends, discusses her early years, her personal life, her work opposite Hollywood's greatest leading men, and her tireless work for UNICEF

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Celebrity, Film, Biography Memoir, Media Tie In

Paperback

First published October 1, 1993

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hepburn is my idol and all books surrounding her life, whether they be photo anthologies or biographies, are of interest to me. I have read many that are long, drawn out and extremely tiring to read. You end up losing your interest in her life as the author drones on and on about every fine detail. But Maychick is incredible at chronicling a life that is full of wonders - though I know everything possible to know about Audrey, I still found myself turning each page with anticipation. Structured by film, each representing a different era in her life, I found this detail different to the usual biographers who usually structure their novels by Audrey's different husbands. Her work was what made her famous, not the men she was married to, and so Maychick's recognition of this was really great for me. Thoroughly enjoyed this version of Audrey's life and would highly recommend to everyone, Audrey fan or not.

[Lisa Rogers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time on this one. The author claims to have drawn her book material from actual interviews with Audrey Hepburn. If she did actually talk with Audrey, I would be surprised. Maychick has cobbled together some odd bits of Audrey Hepburn lore with some fiction touches to make an altogether fake tale. Then there are the colossal errors. Audrey's brother's name is Ian, not Jan. The Germans invaded Holland on May 10, not May 18, 1940. These errors alone tell us that she didn't worry about facts when writing her book. Then she makes up a whole character for Audrey's mother: she is the leader of the Dutch Resistance in Arnhem, which Maychick claims is the center of the Resistance activity! If I lived by a lake, I'd throw this book in it.

[Marcus Erlandson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is terrible. People continue to buy and read it because they idolize Audrey Hepburn. Sadly this story is derivative at best and in parts complete fiction. It is doubtful that this women ever interviewed Hepburn much less got her permission to write her biography. There are several fine biographies of Audrey. This is not one of them.

[i g · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars being a reflection of Maychick's writing and seemingly rushed execution of this biography, not as a reflection of the subject matter herself - does serve as a good introductory read though.

[Amanda Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and fascinating to read about such a unique woman as Audrey Hepburn, but sometimes the writing felt disjointed and rushed.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed history of the life of one of our greatest actresses. I was saddened to learn about all the conflict going on behind the scenes. Most surprising to me was her involvement as a little girl with the anti-nazi resistance movement led by her mother in the town where they lived.
She was such a cute, little girl that no one suspected she was carrying secret messages in her shoes or sewn into the lining of her coat.

Multiple miscarriages, eating disorders, lots of insecurity - they are all detailed here along side her successes in the entertainment world. Late in life she worked five years with UNICEF trying to help starving children all over the world.

An amazing woman.

[Kaitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review to come soon

[Lance Lumley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice writing about the actress, who I am just starting to watch her films and read about (I was more of a fan of Grace Kelly and Natalie Wood when it comes to the classic actresses). The author used quotes from phone interviews that Hepburn did , and as told in the introduction, Hepburn was to meet with the writer after the Christmas holidays to continue interviews, but Hepburn died before that could happen.
This was a enjoyable combination of the historical walk through her life, with Hepburn commenting throughout, from her childhood days dealing with the Nazis to some of the mistakes she made in love and in film choices. For someone just getting to know her story, this was a good place to start with an entertaining and easy to read book.

[Allison boozy bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audrey Hepburn was beautiful inside and out. This book was wonderfully written. I loved it.

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with those who say this is a good introduction to Audrey Hepburn's life, but other books (written since) are more complex and more nuanced. This one leans heavily towards hagiography and, as other reviewers have noticed contains some errors. However, what stands out for me is that Paycheck uses Hepburn's own words extensively. I don't know if these are from actual interviews with Hepburn, by telephone or in person, but nonetheless, they do make the book feel like a portrait of Hepburn's life as she wanted people to see it. There's no way to know, but that might help explain, for example, why the book presents her mother as a resistance leader who used Nazi cooperation as a cover. And I often felt like I was seeing her own inner struggles -- especially in the section about the breakdown of her marriage with Mel Ferrer. Her innate humility comes through, as does her insecurity, in ways that feel clearer than in some other biographies.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an apt title. It felt like an intimate portrait because so much came straight from Audrey Hepburn herself. I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the woman behind the scenes of some of my favorite movies.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed to be more of a commentary of her life, mostly with praises from all around. I do enjoy reading this book, however, I wished it cover more in depth her life outside of acting and marriage.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done bio by an author who became very close with Audrey and learned a lot about the interior life that kept her going through the atrocities of WWII. A bit short on much exploration of her career and movies, but, on the whole, a good quick read.

[Intan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biography about this exceptional person we know as Audrey hepburn. From her lineage to her last day. From her view and also other people’s. Written with good easy to understand sentences and interesting flow. It’s a joy to read.

[Mia Colella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dichotomy of the way Audrey was feeling in that moment versus the way external people described/ talked about her was sooo powerful. It showed a human and very dark side to the popular culture we consume and love.

[Patricia Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hepburn's early life, I didn't know!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short but well-written biography of Audrey Hepburn.

[Momma Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as good as I hoped

[Gretchen Schott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read so many books about Audrey, but this one is truly exceptional.

[Olivia Coley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly written.

[allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

a quick read, but full of errors throughout.

[Thodupunuri Rachna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intimate log of the iconic actor of yesteryears made me love her more.

[Sally Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book (hardback) among others at our library sale where you get a grocery bag filled with books, all for $1. So, I don't know, perhaps I paid 10 cents for this book. Aside from the bargain, it's been pure pleasure to read it. I learned so much that I had not known about this famous movie star: born into wealth, living among Nazis through WWII, surviving for a time by eating tulip bulbs having lost every tangible thing they had.

I was heartened by the fact that she was happier among animals than most people, as I would describe myself the same way. Her empathy for starving children was known to me as she spent her final years working tirelessly for UNICEF. I like to think that had she not died of colon cancer, she may have, one day, made the connection that had already been evolving in her life, that there would be far fewer hungry people in the world and much less cruelty if humans treated ALL life with respect and, as she did, planted fruit trees and vegetable gardens instead of wastefully raising animals to kill and consume.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading biographies anyway, but I kind of like that of movie stars because I like the back story to their lives. We know them as characters in so many stories, but I like to know THEIR story. I didn't realise that she lived through the war and had scary interactions with the Nazis, and it was fascinating to learn that she wanted so badly to be a wife and mother throughout her career--she was happiest when she was fulfilling those roles. Also, I think it's cool that she helped with UNICEF. I don't really approve of United Nations anything, but helping children have food and clean water is a worthy goal, indeed.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey Hepburn is just lovely. It was fun and telling to read about her quirky personality and problems she had to overcome in her childhood, personal life, and Hollywood. She is inspiring in that she is the epitome of grace and elegance, not to mention a style icon, but was just as troubled as anyone. I haven't read any other Audrey bios, and I'm sure there are many, so I can't compare the quality of Maychick's to any others. But I will say it was enjoyable and reminded me how much I love her films.

[Erica Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most of the people that really know me know that I love Audrey Hepburn. Some of my favorite movies of hers include Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady and of course Roman holiday and Always. This was a beautiful portrait of an ethereal beauty known as Audrey. It took you into her life, to intimate details of her upbringing, her marriages and sufferings she went through. Audrey was a humanitarian, down to earth and someone I would've liked to have met. Definite read for fans.

[Elyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I am a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn. This book provides good basic information about her life, especially in war torn Europe. A much better book that I read later was "Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit, A Son Remembers". This book is more personal (because it was written by her son) and provides more feeling and depth.

[!!blondie Is]

i read this because I am a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn. This book provides good basic information about her life, especially in war torn Europe. A much better book that I read later was "Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit, A Son Remembers". This book is more personal (because it was written by her son) and provides more feeling and depth.

[Jacquie South · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book - well written and informative. What an incredible woman Audrey Hepburn was! SO beautiful, a style icon, great actress, UNICEF ambassador - incredibly strong and determined, yet also so fragile. A truely beautiful woman, this book celebrates and pays tribute to this beauty - both inner and outer beauty.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It felt unbelievable. Audrey is my favorite person and this book just made me fall in love with her even more. She was perfect even if she didn't know it. Everything that she went through just made her a stronger and braver person. The work she did was truly amazing and brave. She was truly a wonderful person and no book will do her justice but this book comes pretty close.