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Finding My Balance: A Memoir
Actress Mariel Hemingway uses the lessons and practices of yoga as a starting point for her own personal reflections and a larger-than-life family story. The result is a searingly honest memoir that is firmly practical, as well as a moving narrative of the author's struggle to deal with a complex and often stressful life. Mariel was the third daughter born to Jack Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway's son, and Byra Whittlesey. Her older sister, Muffet, suffered for years from instability, while middle sister Margaux, a celebrated actress and model who was caught up in the fast lane, eventually died of the effects of her driven lifestyle. Their mother, Byra, was darkly moody and emotionally quixotic, and made no secret of her disdain for her husband, while Jack, himself insecure in no small part because of his celebrated father, a man he never really felt he knew, was an indifferent parent at best. Even before she was a teenager, Mariel was forced to assume the role of stable center of her family. In just about every way, she never really had a childhood of her own, a situation that was exacerbated by her sudden thrust into celebrity when she was first cast in sister Margaux's film Lipstick, then in Woody Allen's Manhattan. Suddenly, Mariel was a movie star. Always an athletic person, Mariel turned to yoga and its meditative practice in an effort to maintain her center while much of her life threatened to spin out of control. As the title of this remarkable memoir suggests, much of her adult life has been directed toward finding and maintaining her balance in situations that have been heartbreakingly unsettling and emotionally disorienting. Throughout the book, Mariel uses her yoga training as a starting point for each chapter, carefully describing a particular position, then letting her mind wander into thoughts of the past and her rocky life. As each chapter begins with instruction, so does the book end in the same way, the exercises this time organized in a sequence that can be followed by anyone who wants to practice them. Included are photos of Mariel as she performs the various moves. Living the life now of wife and mother to two teenaged daughters while still pursuing a career in film, Mariel Hemingway has weathered some of the worst storms that life can bring. Certainly she has found her balance. And in this deeply inspiring, thoroughly fascinating memoir, she shares for the first time the story of that journey.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2003
13 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Mariel Hemingway
34 books32 followersMariel Hemingway (born Mariel Hadley Hemingway November 22, 1961) is an American actress and author. She began acting at age 16 in a breakout role in Lipstick and is best known for her roles in Manhattan (for which she received an Oscar nomination), Star 80, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
She has starred in and co-produced videos about yoga and holistic living. She published a memoir in 2002.
Hemingway was born in Mill Valley, California, the third daughter of Byra Louise (née Whittlesey) Hemingway and Jack Hemingway, a writer. Her sisters are Joan Hemingway (born 1950) and Margaux Hemingway (born 1954). Margaux, who became an actress and model, died of a barbiturate overdose in 1996 at age 42.
Her paternal grandparents were Hadley Richardson and Nobel Prize-laureate novelist Ernest Hemingway (who committed suicide several months before she was born). She was named after the Cuban port of Mariel—her father and grandfather visited the village regularly to go fishing. Her middle name is from her paternal grandmother.
Hemingway's most famous acting role was in Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979), a romantic comedy in which she plays Tracy, a high school student and Allen's lover. Just 16 during filming (within the film she is said to be 17), she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
She has starred in and co-produced videos about yoga and holistic living. She published a memoir in 2002.
Hemingway was born in Mill Valley, California, the third daughter of Byra Louise (née Whittlesey) Hemingway and Jack Hemingway, a writer. Her sisters are Joan Hemingway (born 1950) and Margaux Hemingway (born 1954). Margaux, who became an actress and model, died of a barbiturate overdose in 1996 at age 42.
Her paternal grandparents were Hadley Richardson and Nobel Prize-laureate novelist Ernest Hemingway (who committed suicide several months before she was born). She was named after the Cuban port of Mariel—her father and grandfather visited the village regularly to go fishing. Her middle name is from her paternal grandmother.
Hemingway's most famous acting role was in Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979), a romantic comedy in which she plays Tracy, a high school student and Allen's lover. Just 16 during filming (within the film she is said to be 17), she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 4, 2015
I liked this book and its author. I'm fascinated by most things Hemingway. Mariel escaped the supposed "suicide curse" and I have wondered why. This book is not only interesting memoir, but it's full of great yoga stuff (a special interest of mine).
February 18, 2010
This book is so simple, and so personal. I felt like I related to Mariel on a lot of levels. Touching and quick read.
October 11, 2010
I enjoyed Mariel Hemingway's authenticity of her life. Her way of tying challenging situations in her life to a specific yoga asana inspired me to deepen my own yoga practice.
August 8, 2020
I liked this book better than her 2015 book which repeats many of the same story. She was still married during the writing of this book and she sounded super grounded in spite of her family tragedies. I felt her writing was more personal as well as consistently real and coherent in this book. Combining her mindset and the different yoga poses with her stories was a nice idea. Her transition from telling about the different poses at the beginning of each story ironically flowed well. She kept me interested in her memoir until the very last page.
May 17, 2010
I love yoga. I've been practicing yoga on and off for over three years, but only in the past 6 months have I become truly dedicated to it as a lifestyle and happily embraced the changes it has propagated in both my mindset and daily routines.
I'm also a sucker for a good memoir, so I was excited when I stumbled across this book at UT's library. The first few chapters I read eagerly, anticipating some musings I'd be able to adopt as new mantras, but as a literary piece I found it disappointing. Mariel dispenses stories about a rough childhood and self-destructive coping skills she adopted as she grew up, but often the stories aren't in chronological order (she jumps all over the place), and the book ends rather abruptly.
It was an easy read, but I guess just not what I was looking for.
I'm also a sucker for a good memoir, so I was excited when I stumbled across this book at UT's library. The first few chapters I read eagerly, anticipating some musings I'd be able to adopt as new mantras, but as a literary piece I found it disappointing. Mariel dispenses stories about a rough childhood and self-destructive coping skills she adopted as she grew up, but often the stories aren't in chronological order (she jumps all over the place), and the book ends rather abruptly.
It was an easy read, but I guess just not what I was looking for.
April 9, 2012
I didn't have great hopes for this book when I saw it on the $1 table at Bradley's Books a couple of months ago. I am usually not a big fan on memoirs, often finding them poorly written and self-serving. (One thing that did "bother" me, was Hemingway's frequent use of "To this day...") But, perhaps because of the yoga tie-in, I did enjoy this book. Each chapter starts with a yoga asana, leading into a story from Hemingway's life. It was an easy read; I finished it in one day, and not a day when I did nothing but read! And although I was familiar with most of the yoga postures, I will keep this book as a yoga reference.
May 10, 2009
Very interesting memoir of actress and yoga instructor Mariel Hemingway, granddaughter of Ernest and sister of Margeaux. Each chapter begins with a single yoga pose and she delves into the ins and outs of the pose and with it a story of her life that intertwines lovely with the pose. She goes into her turbulent childhood, her modest acting resume, and some crazy eating habits. It kept my attention and I found her story to be a relaxing and uplifting read.
February 2, 2011
Interesting, helpful in understanding her life, but not helpful in practicing yoga except for a few pages in the back. It's a biography in snippets related to different poses. It would possibly be more helpful if I practiced yoga and knew what the poses felt like.
It did encourage me to get my foot cleared up so I could try yoga.
It did encourage me to get my foot cleared up so I could try yoga.
October 24, 2007
It is ann intense biography. Mariel hemingway is a brilliant author just like a vision of her grandfather! It represents harmony and peace ,but at the same time excitment and humor. if you like biographys this is the book for you.
May 18, 2009
I like the connection of the poses to her life. I find it easy to disconnect the physical act of yoga with the spiritual. I'm not really spiritual myself, but I like reading about people who are. A triangle pose isn't just a pain in the ass; it has deeper meaning. Maybe someday I'll find it.
July 10, 2012
The description of yoga was the best I've ever read - I learned more about poses than I have in any yoga class. But holy moly, she cannot write well enough about her life to make this a good book.
July 13, 2015
Mariel Hemingway intertwines her yoga practice with her life story. Each chapter begins by describing how she enters into one yoga posture and then links the pose to a chapter of her life. Her yoga practice has helped her "find balance" through daily meditation.
June 22, 2015
Good for people who practice yoga and for others just looking for life balance. Mariel's life experiences and struggles trying to meet other's expectations was a good reminder of what we need to do to care for ourselves.
October 4, 2015
I appreciate reading stories about child stars not succumbing to drug abuse or see their life spiral downwards. While this isn't the best biography I've read, it is still entertaining and gives you an inside look on her dysfunctional family.
February 15, 2008
Again, I love Mariel. My only complaint is I wish this had written more.
March 10, 2009
this book really struck a chord with me. i could relate to a lot of things she wrote about. i am so in love with yoga and it's healing touch. not everyone will enjoy this, but i did.
August 29, 2011
I read this during jury duty and it surely kept me sane through the week long ordeal!
March 29, 2012
Waste of money and time. Ernest's talent obviously skipped this (self-absorbed) woman.
June 6, 2012
Exceptional memoir. Hemingway finds a way to center her life, which complicated by family history, tragedy and her profession.
August 1, 2013
Good book but I was getting burnt out from just reading another of hers that I skimmed the last 50 pages or so.
October 8, 2013
wonderful story ! great information & details about yoga
Read
July 11, 2016Emilie H
February 7, 2021
(3.5 stars) This memoir uses yoga poses to speak to various times in the author, Mariel Hemmingway’s life. She talks about her career, her struggles with family and her family’s history of mental illness and her own problems with diet and food. While she had a famous ancestor, her immediate family struggled with finances and illness and were not wealthy. She discusses the challenges and successes in her life and her own marriage and children. Finding balance is something yoga helped her to achieve. Each chapter begins with instruction on a pose and the book has an appendix with a full yoga flow.
May 29, 2025
A wonderful memoir, a delightful balance almost poetic like…
I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author used the flow of yoga, the lessons of it, the need for stability and balance, to tell each part of her life stories. It was such a delightful balance almost poetic like and soothing even in the hardships, because you knew relief was to come like in any yoga pose that was challenging at first. There is wisdom and joy, pain and loss, and it flowed so well. I read it so quickly because I didn’t want to put it down.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author used the flow of yoga, the lessons of it, the need for stability and balance, to tell each part of her life stories. It was such a delightful balance almost poetic like and soothing even in the hardships, because you knew relief was to come like in any yoga pose that was challenging at first. There is wisdom and joy, pain and loss, and it flowed so well. I read it so quickly because I didn’t want to put it down.
March 20, 2021
3.5 Mariel Hemingway tells her life story using the lessons and the practice of yoga and how it shaped her life. Mariel has experienced personal family tragedies and has learned to finally find balance in her life. Each chapter shows illustrations of yoga poses and how she interprets them. MAriel goes deep into herself with meditation and yoga.
December 9, 2023
Some stuff was just glossed over. Her sister’s suicide got a paragraph. I skipped over the yoga stuff in between. I think the more interesting book would be history of substance abuse and suicide in the Hemingway family.
January 9, 2024
Not much for memoirs but I did enjoy the yoga aspects of the book. I think I actually finished this before new years but forgot to update my status oh well.
December 22, 2023
Visit JetBlackDragonfly (The Man Who Read Too Much) at www.edenthompson.ca/blog
Out Came The Sun - Overcoming The Legacy of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide In My Family is a 2015 autobiography by Mariel Hemingway. The title makes it sound more like a recovery book than a memoir (misleading you to think Mariel herself was mentally ill, addicted and suicidal when she is quite strong and resilient) and it's so close to her previous 2003 memoir Finding My Balance, that it's hard not to review them together.
Mariel rose to fame at seventeen with her Academy Award nominated performance in Woody Allen's film Manhattan. Just before that, she appeared in Lipstick opposite her New York Supermodel sister Margaux, and followed Manhattan with starring roles in Personal Best and Star 80 while her sister's acting career fizzled. These roles and several others are detailed along with the struggles of her famous family. Her grandfather, Ernest Hemingway committed suicide, as eventually did Margaux, her older sister. Her parents led a intense and loveless marriage fuelled by alcoholic fights and she talks about dealing with their deaths. Her other sister Joan (nicknamed Muffet) dealt with a lifetime of mental illness, and all this drama led many to refer to the "Hemingway family curse". A daunting task to overcome the implied doom that being in this family carries, Mariel rises above it to meet and marry a restauranteur businessman and raise two girls, all while juggling an acting career. I always liked Mariel, from Manhattan and Star 80 to her TV work. Like Tatum O'Neal or Brooke Shields her career keeps moving on through personal struggles.
This memoir didn't open my eyes or endear me any more than I was, but if you are reading this because you like Mariel, you will enjoy learning more about her and her story. Unvarnished and introspective, it's an honest look at her family dynamic and life so far.
Finding My Balance was written twelve years earlier, but oddly covers the same ground as the new memoir. Structured around her passion for yoga, with each chapter describing a pose then launching off from there, she tells of her being cast in Manhattan, Personal Best and image issues while filming Star 80. Like a blueprint for the new book Out Came The Sun, this memoir contains the same stories and in the same order, including using the same family pictures! Rather than write a new memoir from the first book to present day, she simply expands the same ground with a few more anecdotes, a few affairs not revealed before, and includes more memories from films she has worked on. Heavy on the yoga, it ends with 33 pages of exercises.
If you are interested in reading a Mariel Hemingway memoir, Out Came The Sun is superior, with more to say and a clearer reflection. She has become a mental health advocate and ends the book with a 10 page appendix of resources.
Interesting.
Out Came The Sun - Overcoming The Legacy of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide In My Family is a 2015 autobiography by Mariel Hemingway. The title makes it sound more like a recovery book than a memoir (misleading you to think Mariel herself was mentally ill, addicted and suicidal when she is quite strong and resilient) and it's so close to her previous 2003 memoir Finding My Balance, that it's hard not to review them together.
Mariel rose to fame at seventeen with her Academy Award nominated performance in Woody Allen's film Manhattan. Just before that, she appeared in Lipstick opposite her New York Supermodel sister Margaux, and followed Manhattan with starring roles in Personal Best and Star 80 while her sister's acting career fizzled. These roles and several others are detailed along with the struggles of her famous family. Her grandfather, Ernest Hemingway committed suicide, as eventually did Margaux, her older sister. Her parents led a intense and loveless marriage fuelled by alcoholic fights and she talks about dealing with their deaths. Her other sister Joan (nicknamed Muffet) dealt with a lifetime of mental illness, and all this drama led many to refer to the "Hemingway family curse". A daunting task to overcome the implied doom that being in this family carries, Mariel rises above it to meet and marry a restauranteur businessman and raise two girls, all while juggling an acting career. I always liked Mariel, from Manhattan and Star 80 to her TV work. Like Tatum O'Neal or Brooke Shields her career keeps moving on through personal struggles.
This memoir didn't open my eyes or endear me any more than I was, but if you are reading this because you like Mariel, you will enjoy learning more about her and her story. Unvarnished and introspective, it's an honest look at her family dynamic and life so far.
Finding My Balance was written twelve years earlier, but oddly covers the same ground as the new memoir. Structured around her passion for yoga, with each chapter describing a pose then launching off from there, she tells of her being cast in Manhattan, Personal Best and image issues while filming Star 80. Like a blueprint for the new book Out Came The Sun, this memoir contains the same stories and in the same order, including using the same family pictures! Rather than write a new memoir from the first book to present day, she simply expands the same ground with a few more anecdotes, a few affairs not revealed before, and includes more memories from films she has worked on. Heavy on the yoga, it ends with 33 pages of exercises.
If you are interested in reading a Mariel Hemingway memoir, Out Came The Sun is superior, with more to say and a clearer reflection. She has become a mental health advocate and ends the book with a 10 page appendix of resources.
Interesting.
May 30, 2020
Part yoga, part memoir, part interesting, part boring. I see she has a more recent memoir and I would like to read that some time, but I'm in no hurry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews