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Garbo
Drawing on interviews with Ingmar Bergman and Max von Sydow amongst others, Barry Paris examines the "brooding northern soul" that defined Garbo's work and personality and which was rooted in an unhappy childhood. Her later relationships with G.W. Pabst, Louis B. Mayer, John Gilbert, George Cukov and Ernst Lubitsch are explored as are some of her lesser-known friendships with women, notably Pola Negri, Lillian Gish and Ava Gardner. He also considers the question of whether Garbo actually intended to retire from the cinema - and brings to light the secret final years of her life.
654 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 19, 2010
I read this book without watching her movies. I had heard about her introversion and eccentricities. I thought we had a few things in common, (I'm introvert and eccentric too), but I mean similar eccentricities. If I had the money I'd gladly pay 30 times the same pair of shoes when I find one that I like very much, enough for a lifetime. I've heard Garbo did it her, she had the money. I never read biographies so I'm not knowledgeable in that genre. I picked the biography by Paris, I heard he was a professional and wasn't making things up, if you see what I mean. I'm looking forward to get the one he wrote about one of my favorite actresses: Audrey Hedburn.
Well, I think Paris did a good job, it was indeed professional. The book is well written and enticing because Garbo is a fascinating person but at the same time human just like us. And we discover her humanity through Paris's book from her poor childhood in Europe to her death in New York. This had made me watch a movie with her in it, I don't remember the title, but indeed there was something about her, she was special on screen.
Well, I think Paris did a good job, it was indeed professional. The book is well written and enticing because Garbo is a fascinating person but at the same time human just like us. And we discover her humanity through Paris's book from her poor childhood in Europe to her death in New York. This had made me watch a movie with her in it, I don't remember the title, but indeed there was something about her, she was special on screen.
July 28, 2017
Amazing biography of an amazing woman. How can the biggest star the world has ever seen be driven by such a desire for solitude? In my opinion this book is great literature, it adresses the basic conflict of desire for lonliness and need for human contact, via Garbo's ambiguous, moody, and bipolar personality. Plus, you will learn a lot about film history and its protagonists.
While it drools with passion for the artist and the art, it's also critical and well-researched. And you'll get nice pictures of the legendary actress to feed your dreams as a bonus. A must read for film fans.
8/10
While it drools with passion for the artist and the art, it's also critical and well-researched. And you'll get nice pictures of the legendary actress to feed your dreams as a bonus. A must read for film fans.
8/10
February 29, 2024
A really exceptional book. Having finished it, to me Garbo had the perfect movie career.
She attained the absolute heights and then, before her star could be tarnished: before the flops, the returns, the TV series, stage plays, autobiographies, cook books, diet plans, album, cameo roles, reality TV series, Twitter/Instagram followers, quiz show/talent show judge, botched plastic surgeries, sham celebrity marriages....she walked away, dignity intact 'til' the end.
Not many have had the good taste and the style to do that.
Only in 20th/21st century media parlance was she ever a 'recluse' and that was simply because she wasn't a media whore.
This is a book to drown in about a world of movies that no longer exists. But luckily we can still see the evidence up there on the screen.
My favourite Garbo experience is in “Anna Christie”, when we first see her entering the bar, she really does seem to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. And that voice: it’s fun listening to her trying to work her Nordic accent around American slang. Like ABBA rapping.
There will never be another Garbo.
She attained the absolute heights and then, before her star could be tarnished: before the flops, the returns, the TV series, stage plays, autobiographies, cook books, diet plans, album, cameo roles, reality TV series, Twitter/Instagram followers, quiz show/talent show judge, botched plastic surgeries, sham celebrity marriages....she walked away, dignity intact 'til' the end.
Not many have had the good taste and the style to do that.
Only in 20th/21st century media parlance was she ever a 'recluse' and that was simply because she wasn't a media whore.
This is a book to drown in about a world of movies that no longer exists. But luckily we can still see the evidence up there on the screen.
My favourite Garbo experience is in “Anna Christie”, when we first see her entering the bar, she really does seem to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. And that voice: it’s fun listening to her trying to work her Nordic accent around American slang. Like ABBA rapping.
There will never be another Garbo.
June 28, 2007
I haven't read a lot of them, but this was the best early Hollywood biography that I've read. It was entertaining without being gossipy, and the author had actually done extensive research and interviews before writing it. What a shocker - doing your homework actually works. The book focuses upon Garbo's life from her childhood in Sweden to her time in Hollywood to her jetsetting around the globe and to her walks around NYC. Rather than trying to create a persona, it presents the picture of a complicated person. I'd much rather learn about someone than try to have some biographer try to pick the person's brain. If you're interested in Garbo, I'd recommend this book.
December 11, 2011
A good read, but Garbo is a difficult subject. Barry Paris does his best to fill in the blanks but perhaps there really isn't much to tell. Greta Garbo was intensely reserved, which makes you wonder why she ever became an actress. Perhaps to escape poverty, and live out her fantasies. Garbo's early life is fascinating but, for all the Hollywood mythmaking, her years after fame were spent in retreat. Even now her name is a byword for stardom, yet few will have seen her films. Which is a pity because some of them are great. Garbo's ice-cool beauty, combined with a solitary nature, make her seem even more of an oddity today than she was in her lifetime.
April 3, 2011
The wealth of information certainly deserves a good rating. Garbo probably would have found such probing horrifying. Sources are reliable and interesting... the only thing that lacks is some spice. At times it reads rather tediously but that is not so surprising considering the details that have been researched.
November 27, 2017
Mr. Paris's biography of Garbo can best be described as uneven. The first half, which is devoted to Greta's time in Hollywood, is dreadfully uninspired. Paris ridicules her films, costars, and directors. At times he even harshly appraises her talent. I seriously considered setting this book aside, unfinished. Yet, I am nothing if not a completionist, so I persevered.
I am delighted to say that my efforts were well-repaid. The second half of Paris's 'Garbo' was quite lovely, the leading lady at last starting to become flesh and blood instead of mere words on a page. What is arguably the least fascinating period of Garbo's life is described with such loving detail that I became interested in her as a person more than as an actress. While I slogged through the first 300 pages of this book, I devoured what was left, eager to know whether Garbo would find comfortable shoes, or whether she ate jam or jelly with her morning toast. By the end, I felt that I knew her, though the first half of her life was still cloaked in mystery.
I am delighted to say that my efforts were well-repaid. The second half of Paris's 'Garbo' was quite lovely, the leading lady at last starting to become flesh and blood instead of mere words on a page. What is arguably the least fascinating period of Garbo's life is described with such loving detail that I became interested in her as a person more than as an actress. While I slogged through the first 300 pages of this book, I devoured what was left, eager to know whether Garbo would find comfortable shoes, or whether she ate jam or jelly with her morning toast. By the end, I felt that I knew her, though the first half of her life was still cloaked in mystery.
September 7, 2008
I read this sometime around the first year published.... I'd like revisit and read it again. Greta Garbo was my first Old Hollywood obsession, followed by Ingrid Bergman and then Marilyn Monroe.
December 17, 2009
Excellent, as are all of Barry Paris' works.
December 19, 2016
An excellent read. The book is thoroughly researched and it contains an abundance of testimonials from people who really knew Garbo and were around her and who were reliable and documented sources. Even more, their words are put in the right context by the author, who explains the nature of their relationship and its evolution. Also, the author describes the larger contexts of the contemporary cinema, theatre, literary worlds in which Garbo lived (these parts could be considered "boring" by some, but they certainly attest to the author's knowledge and authority).
This book possibly comes as close as anyone hopes to decipher the Garbo legend, which drew its source more from what was left unsaid along the years than from a real, inscrutable inner mystery. The "revealings" of the human, day to day Garbo are endearing and many of the times funny.
Highly recommended.
This book possibly comes as close as anyone hopes to decipher the Garbo legend, which drew its source more from what was left unsaid along the years than from a real, inscrutable inner mystery. The "revealings" of the human, day to day Garbo are endearing and many of the times funny.
Highly recommended.
March 14, 2017
An understanding though effusive paean to Greta Garbo. This book made me want to watch Garbo's films, most of which I've overlooked because I've always just thought of her as a mediocre actress with a beautiful face. (Many who worked with her thought she was actually brilliant, which was a surprise.)
Garbo's introversion, unconventionality, and humble beginnings turned some people off--particularly the media--which led them to paint her as a cold, narcissistic recluse. But she was so much more complex, warm, passionate, and creative.
(I listened to the audio version of this book.)
Garbo's introversion, unconventionality, and humble beginnings turned some people off--particularly the media--which led them to paint her as a cold, narcissistic recluse. But she was so much more complex, warm, passionate, and creative.
(I listened to the audio version of this book.)
April 29, 2012
What an interesting woman. Barry Paris made Garbo come alive for me: I laughed out loud at some of her antics, wondered why someone of her friends didn't throttle her for some of her rudeness, and shed a tear at her death. I own 10 of her movies and am fascinated by how she can speak volumes without uttering a word; all she has to do is move an eyebrow or the corner of her mouth. The only negative about the book is it's length - it could have been a little shorter.
April 4, 2013
There might be newer books on Garbo, but I really do like this one and it seems well researched. My only complaint is an update is sorely needed. The copy I had made note of ‘Acosta’s letters will be unsealed in 2000′…a decade ago. Unfortanitly Paris ran with the gay thing because he assumed these letters had something in them that proved it. Garbo was probably occasionally bi, but more asexual than anything.
March 1, 2008
I keep falling asleep. Is that wrong or just how Garbo would do it?
March 8, 2008
Amazing boigraphy on the talented, shy, beautiful, silent-strong movie actress. Greta Garbo is mesmerising.
December 5, 2008
one of the best bios i've read. shes had a very interesting life and is definately one of my favorite Hollywood stars of the past.
September 20, 2010
a telling portryal of the enigmatic and anomalous character of garbo and how that is similar and different than what the media portrayal of this star usually is.
December 28, 2025
Flesh & the Devil, Camille, Grand Hotel, Anna Karenina, and Anna Christie. I've seen most of her films, all of them being classic old Hollywood. She was truly a great movie star!
July 27, 2011
a very close look at the stars life, very good
February 17, 2012
Absolutely wonderful, what an amazing, fascinating yet complex person.
February 16, 2014
One of the best biographies of Greta Garbo.
December 17, 2012
It as a little long. It was interesting tho. I kept putting it down and then up again.
February 13, 2014
The best work on Garbo and as well written and intelligent as the authors' biography of Louise Brooks.
February 15, 2022
553 pages about a woman who's most famous quote is, "I want to be left alone."
I've never seen a Greta Garbo movie. But I knew about the immense curiosity she generated in the many years of her near reclusive retirement from the movies. A Garbo sighting in New York was a big deal. One that she hated.
Garbo may have been one of the most difficult people to understand in the 20th century. She was a huge screen star who only made 27 films. Only a few of them were high quality. She never won an Academy Award, but the demand for her services were extraordinary.
Garbo was petrified of the press but became a movie actress. She had more control over her career than most actors of her era, but followed the lead of men who had varied interests. Garbo was self-absorbed, yet attracted the attention of most everybody who knew her.
The mystique was difficult to explain. Paris worked hard at it.
If you want to know about her, this is a good book.
I've never seen a Greta Garbo movie. But I knew about the immense curiosity she generated in the many years of her near reclusive retirement from the movies. A Garbo sighting in New York was a big deal. One that she hated.
Garbo may have been one of the most difficult people to understand in the 20th century. She was a huge screen star who only made 27 films. Only a few of them were high quality. She never won an Academy Award, but the demand for her services were extraordinary.
Garbo was petrified of the press but became a movie actress. She had more control over her career than most actors of her era, but followed the lead of men who had varied interests. Garbo was self-absorbed, yet attracted the attention of most everybody who knew her.
The mystique was difficult to explain. Paris worked hard at it.
If you want to know about her, this is a good book.
June 19, 2020
A star before my time and an enigma for all time but this book makes a very thorough study of her life to find an answer.It is long and very informative of early film making in Sweden and Hollywood and shows her influences and mentors.But such an unusual person - shy, depressive,quiet but fine with people she knew and a true star in her drawing power on the screen.She is forever young because she didn’t make any movies after she was 35 so we always see her in her youth. A great pity she stopped in 1941.Are there any fans still alive? I saw a couple of her movies in film clubs but silent movies and early talkies are old fashioned to people today so does anybody still care. I knew about the legend and wanted to see why she was so fascinating.This book answers as far as any book can unravel her mystery and is a good read for enthusiasts but how many are there today?
July 18, 2021
Comprehensive chronological read of an enigmatic legend. Written more than 25 years ago, Paris describes the sexism and marginal movies roles of the early 1930s that we know to be prevalent even today. Garbo's resistance and Scandinavian sensibilities are as fascinating as the innovations her presence had on movie making.
January 19, 2023
There are many books to choose from about Greta Garbo. I chose to read the one written by Barry Paris because of the wonderful biography he wrote on Louise Brooks. I was not disappointed. However, Garbo was far more private than Brooks was. She was also more famous, which means there is a lot of misinformation out there. This book attempts to set the record straight. Through recorded conversations, as well as diary entries from people who knew her, we get a small glimpse of who the reclusive legend was. This book is probably the closest us Garbo fans will ever get in that aspect. Even at over 500 pages, there is still so much we don't know, but kudos to Barry Paris for getting us closer.
August 10, 2025
Extremely well researched and thorough. I have watched Garbo movies while reading this book, and I understand further what he has described in the book. Also I want her life. She worked and was paid well for 15 years, and she was able to live off her investments from that pay plus her rich friends for the rest of her life.
December 22, 2018
This was the best book of Garbo. I read it during a bad time in my life. Garbo's life kept me turning the pages. I lost this book in a hurricane, it was a loss.
It is very well written and chock full of stories including her romance with John Gilbert takes up a lot of the book.
Happy Reading.
It is very well written and chock full of stories including her romance with John Gilbert takes up a lot of the book.
Happy Reading.
September 5, 2021
Although published twenty-seven years ago, this has got to be the definitive Garbo biography: every anecdote, every date, article, quote & fact is meticulously researched & noted. An impressive work, to say the least.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews