Vivien Leigh: A Biography

by Anne Edwards

The actress's complex personality, love affair with Olivier, rise to stardom, glamorous social life, and tragic death are brought into clear focus in this detailed portrait

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Biography Memoir, Memoir, History, European History

319 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Emily Wiersma]

I loved learning about Vivien Leigh. Gone with the Wind is one of my favorite classic movies and this beautiful actress has always fascinated me. Vivien Leigh to an outsider would look like she had it all, fame, money and true love however that wasn't the case. She was manic depressive and fought TB throughout her adult life which eventually killed her. But she never seemed to let it get her down she was a fighter all her life and fought for everything she had. She was truly one of the greatest actresses who could be completely depressed and than go on stage and act like nothing is wrong and she put everything she had into her performances. The book was well written and easy to follow without leaving me disinterested.

[Clara Lamarca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography about Vivien Leigh is one of the best I read in my life. I cried at the end. I never thought it was possible, to cry in a non-fiction work, but when a life is as interesting as in a novel, I guess it is.

Vivien Leigh really had the kind of life that only exists in novels, filled with adventures, travels, great loves and great love affairs, madness, illnesses, great parties with the most famous artists and politicians of her time. Her story was enchanting and at times heartbreaking. Of course, you have to like the actress in order to take an interest in her life, but since she's my favorite actress, it was really enchanting for me. And her love story with Larry Olivier is one of the most beautiful love story I've heard in all my life. It's also very well written and some passages were as beautiful as some great romances I like.

I only regret that the author didn't mention her numerous love affairs (she had many and Olivier too) but maybe she didn't know about them when the book was written (in the 70's).
Anyway, this was a very enjoyable read indeed, even more because I had to read it for my studies !

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were reviewing subject matter alone, this would be an easy 5 stars. Vivien Leigh was extraordinary in the truest sense of the word—you cannot be bored reading about her.

This biography brings Vivien to life with scrupulous attention to detail, photographs, and personal letters; you get a great sense of her personality as well as her life history. She had so many amazing experiences, worked incredibly hard, had impeccable taste, was the consummate host, and somehow managed all of that while suffering a disease that was largely misunderstood, stigmatized, and for which the treatment was as painful as it was ineffective. It’s inspiring how many personal struggles she overcame.

I was also amazed to learn what a devoted friend she was—I’d known she was painstakingly gracious and poised, but she spent so much time writing to, thinking of, buying gifts for, and lifting up her friends. It was a hallmark of her personality, as was her humbleness. Despite her massive fame and success, she never put on airs and dealt with a great deal of insecurity about her talent as an actress, especially in the shadow of her great lover, Laurence Olivier.

One thing made me question the veracity of some of the info: Edwards states many times that Vivien’s eyes were green. They were rather notably not green, as special lighting was needed when filming Gone With the Wind to make her eyes appear more green like her character’s. When studying the rushes, Selznick concluded that her eyes looked “violet, gray, blue, tan, and nearly every other color in the spectrum” other than the requisite green.

Moreover, parts of this book read like a first draft. Certain events are described in great detail while others leave major gaps with awkward transitions. Punctuation is missing and the timeline jumps around so frequently it feels incomplete and inconsistent.

For example, Edwards describes a time when Vivien saved(?) a friend from drowning. “Somehow she managed to push him onto the ledge, whereupon she jumped out and began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.” The following sentence is on an unrelated topic, so I assume the friend was saved? I kept rereading multiple paragraphs because I was sure that I had accidentally skipped chunks, only to realize it was written that way.

Still, I'd recommend this to any Leigh fan. It only increased my interest in Vivien Leigh and I’ll probably reread it because it had so many details. I’m with Maureen O’Sullivan—lifelong friend from boarding school and legendary film star in her own right—when she said, “She was everything you would long to be. We would play silly games—who would you like to be if you could be someone else? Most of us wrote—Vivian Hartley.”

[Graceann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne Edwards helped me to understand Vivien Leigh a bit better, no mean feat for a lady who was so complex. She had to be difficult to love, but her talent was amazing.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all her beauty, charm and career success, Leigh's life was ultimately a very tragic one. Her struggle to hide the fact that she was bipolar, her fear of being locked away - it must have been so very exhausting. Her friends and family who loved her tried to hide her manic episodes but eventually they grew so obvious that they were impossible to hide. The author underplayed what Vivien said and did during those times. I found it strange that several times she referred to Vivien's 'sluttish' behaviors during her manic periods. Yikes! She also didn't go into details as to what hurtful things she said. Even with all that vagueness, I couldn't fault Olivier for eventually pulling back from her. How stressful it must have been for him.

I would have liked to have read more about the details of the makings of her movies and plays. The book dwelled mainly on her personal life. I was surprised at how little there was about Gone With The Wind.

The one part of her personal life that got short shrift was her relationship - or lack thereof - with her only child, Suzanne. Suzanne would be briefly mentioned on & off but never in much detail. I guess she just wasn't around very often? I found it hard to judge Vivien's lack of maternal instinct considering how, at the tender age of 6, she was dumped in a convent school in England and didn't see her parents for the next two years. The minimum age for boarding students was already the very low 8 years of age but Vivien's mother pushed hard enough that the nuns finally capitulated and enrolled Vivien. This could have turned into a horror show but Vivien landed on her feet and became the darling of the school. It was astounding how she never made a misstep - she was the smartest, the prettiest, the most popular, the kindest, the most talented etc. I thought the nickname of her & her group of friends - 'the exquisites'- really said it all.

She somehow managed to land on her feet as well when starting her relationship with Olivier. On paper, they are both pretty much monsters. Cheating on their spouses - with Olivier's wife Jill pregnant!- and Vivien befriending Jill as a way to getting closer to him. Wow. So conniving! Yet somehow Jill can't remain angry and ends up liking Vivien. Vivien's ex remains very close to her, even vacationing with her. Jill & Olivier's son Tarquin ends up adoring Vivien. The one not so perfect bit is Suzanne. How did she feel? The reader never learns.

I have a biography of Olivier that I plan to read in order to get a different perspective on these events. I will wait a bit though, because reading about Vivien's mania was pretty exhausting and I need a break before diving into all that again.

[John P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biographies present a small dilemma for the reviewer: review the biographer's effort or review the subject? Or both?

I say both.

First, the 4 stars are for the subject. I find Leigh an interesting, if faulted, person. She was singled out even as a youngster as having something special about her. I would argue that what was special was her ability to create an alternate reality for herself which, in the long run, proved to be disastrously detrimental to her mental health. One can attribute reasons for this construction, I believe, to the decisions made by her parents during her childhood; Vivien coped in a remarkable way. Others were raised with similar circumstances, no doubt, and perhaps some used the same strategy to survive but in Leigh's case, it ended up not being a sustainable life choice. Perhaps it is a mistake to assign her tragically manic/depressive illness to a childhood coping mechanism, but I can't help but wonder...

Second, Anne Edwards does a pretty good job assembling Leigh's life story - the amount of research would put me off of ever starting such a task. There were a few times the chronology became cloudy for me, and there were also a handful of editing / typographical errors. I would give 3 to 3.5 stars. The pictures are wonderful; I would only ask for more.

[Nienor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very disappointed with A. Edwards' style of writing. The book was more like the spine of a book, the notes she has collected, just the raw material for a future project. It was very messy at times, hard to make the connection between some facts and also, there was a significant lack of dates. There were some, but in my opinion, not in the right places. One can simply lose track of how old exactly Vivien is, in some moments.

I was planning on giving it a two-star-rating, but decided otherwise, because the information was simply staggering - such details, so thorough! As far as the prologue says, Edwards took a very long journey, in order to collect all this, very impressive.

There is nothing to say about Vivien herself, though. What can one say? The book says it all. I do not think that there will ever be a person like her. The grace, the class, the kindness, the friendliness, everything. Astonishing.

[Mike Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always considered Vivien Leigh's portrayal of Blanche Dubois one of the top three film performances of all times. I will never watch (and I've said this many many years ago) another production of "A Streetcar Named Desire" on film or on stage again, because she owns that character. She IS the definitive Blanche Dubois. And as for Scarlett O'Hara, what else can be said that hasn't already been said. There was a reason why it took so long to cast her. Vivien knew it would be hers. She just wanted them to sweat a little before she showed up a trump the others.

This was a fascinating and at the same time heartbreaking read. Vivien portrayed such a strong, unbreakable presence on stage and screen. But in real life she was such a fragile and lonely individual. In a crowded room, she would feel the most loneliest. Maybe there was a reason that she always enjoyed having guests around and big gatherings, it was a way to temporarily distract her and give her some sort of escape. But no matter, she was always in doubt of herself, and she would always be thinking of how she can better herself. Vivien was a very competitive person, even with Laurence Olivier. Even when she won the converted role of Scarlett O'Hara, and eventually winning the Oscar for it, it was good enough. She felt that Laurence was still a bigger star. She lived with feelings like that the rest of her life. Her sickness with severe manic depression and tuberculosis was something that she would constantly tried to ignore because there was always something to prove in her work and she would be damned if the sickness would get in her way. But eventually it beat her in the end. And along with that, she lost the greatest love of her life because of it.

My breaks a little every time I see a Vivien Leigh movie. She was one if a kind. She IS Scarlett O'Hara. She is Blanche Dubois. I don't mean to end on a cliche, but she had always depended on the kindness of strangers. Or anyone that was willing to talk and be around her. To give her that distraction and escape that she yearned for... constantly.

"4/5"

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ویوین لی به‌دنیا اومده بود تا اسکارلت اوهارا باشه.

"Once again she picked up her dog-eared copy of Gone With the Wind and reread it and then called John Gliddon. “You know,” she said, “the passage where Scarlett voices her happiness that her mother is dead, so that she can’t see what a bad girl Scarlett has become? Well—that’s me.”

ویوین لی زیبا؛
امیدوار بودم می‌تونستم بهش بگم که اون توی تاریخ موند و یاد عزیزش هنوز توی خاطرات به همون عظمت گذشته زنده‌ست!
چیزی که من درمورد ویوین فهمیدم و فکرکنم کسی چیزی راجع‌بهش نمی‌گه اینه که، بیش از اندازه خودش رو زیر سایه‌ی معشوقش اولیویر می‌دید. اون اولیویر رو بهتر و زبانزدتر از خودش می‌دید اما به وضوح این‌طور نبود!(همین الان یه مستند کوتاه دیدم که یکی از همبازی‌های ویوین دقیقا گفت که ویوین هرگز نگفت اما به‌نظر می‌رسید که همیشه زیر سایه‌ی اولیویر هست.)
"She had originally kept her Oscar for her performance in Gone With the Wind on the mantelpiece of the living room at Durham Cottage. Its presence had been a bone of contention between them for a number of years during which Larry was jealous of it and did not like to be reminded that he had not been awarded one."
درحالی که من هیچ اولیور رو نمی‌شناختم؛ اما از وقتی سیزده‌سالم بود بدون این‌که چیز زیادی درموردش بدونم عاشق ویوین لی بودم. چه بسا که نه فیلمی از اولیور دیده‌م نه به‌جز در کنار ویوین، اسمش رو شنیده‌م! درحالی که همه‌ی دنیا اسکارلت اوهارا رو می‌شناسن.
"For Olivier, Yugoslavia and Warsaw were a new experience. The people did not know him, but crowds would follow them wherever they went and scream, “Scarlett! Scarlett!” Scarlett O’Hara was known all over, and they packed the theatres to see her, waiting impatiently, shouting for her outside the dressing rooms, hotel rooms, and train cars, practically trampling her, and pushing him to one side in an effort to get “Scarlett’s” autograph."

"Her fame as Scarlett O’Hara could not be swept under a carpet. She had played the most famous woman’s role ever put on film and had reached the top of her profession, yet it had not been enough for her. It was of major importance to her now to compete and equal him in his arena."
خوشحالم که بعد از سال‌های زیادی که ویوین لی رو پرستیدم چیزی درمورد زندگی‌اش خوندم.
و باید بگم گزینه‌های زیادی برای خوندن داشتم، اما از اون‌جایی که ویوین زن بسیار زیبایی بود، مصمم بودم که نوشته‌های مردها رو درموردش نخونم و تا حد امکان زندگی‌نامه‌ای پیدا کنم که یک خانوم نوشته باشه.

"""
ویوین لی، پنج نوامبر ۱۹۱۳ توی هند به‌دنیا اومد. مادر و پدرش اون‌جا کار می‌کردن و ویوین دوران کودکی فوق‌العاده شادی رو گذروند.
زیبایی ویوین از بچگی به چشم اطرافیان می‌اومد.
"Gertrude was not surprised that her daughter was beautiful, for she had faced Kanchenjunga just before the child ’s birth, which the Indian amah had assured her would guarantee her child’s perfection of face."
اون‌ها که اصالتا بریتانیایی، فرانسوی و ایرلندی بودن، پدر ویوین برای ادامه‌ی زندگی، دختر شش ساله و مادرش رو می‌فرسته انگلستان تا ویوین بتونه ادامه تحصیل بده.
ویوین اول چندان دلش نمی‌خواست از هند دور باشه و ترجیح می‌داد همون‌جا به بازی و رشد ادامه بده، اما مادرش که زنی کاتوليک و کم‌وبیش سخت‌گیری بود، ویوین رو به یک صومعه‌ می‌فرسته.
ویوین توی صومعه‌ای که با گذشت زمانش عاشقش می‌شه، به خوبی رشد می‌کنه، زبان یادمی‌گیره و به آواز و رقص مشغول می‌شه. علاقه‌اش به تئاتر هم از اون‌جا شروع می‌شه.
وقتی از دخترای صومعه می‌پرسیدن از بین دختران دلشون می‌خواست کی باشن، بلااستثنا جواب می‌‌دادن: ویوین!
همین‌طور وقتی از ویوین می‌پرسیدن در آینده چی‌کار می‌کنه می‌گفت که بهترین بازیگر جهان می‌شم.
“When I leave school, I want to fly,” Maureen confessed to her new friend.
“I should like to be a pilot.”
“I want to be an actress,” Vivian, almost seven, replied “A great actress.”
ویوین از هر نظر عالی بود؛ توی درس، آواز و رقص و اخلاق. انقدر عالی که گمون کنم کلمه‌ی عالی برای ویوین ساخته شده. از بچگی دختری جدی بود که به مطالعه علاقه داشت(مخصوصا اساطیر یونانی) اما همچنین از فروتنی و شوخ‌طبعی چیزی کم نمی‌ذاشت؛ باوجود ثروت خانوادگی و رفاهی که داشت، مغرور نبود. از لباس‌ها و عروسک‌هاش به دخترای دیگه بدون چشم‌داشت و با نهایت مهربونی، می‌بخشید.
اما در نهایت از اون صومعه به صومعه‌ی دیگه‌ای می‌ره که البته به اون اندازه خوب نیست و بعد برای تحصیل تئاتر و هنرهای نمایشی به پاریس می‌ره.
اون‌جا در سن کم با مردی به اسم لی(leigh) آشنا می‌شه و توی هجده‌/نوزده سالگی با اون ازدواج می‌کنه و صاحب دختربچه‌ای به اسم سوزان می‌شه. لی با وجود عشق و محبتی که به ویوین داره اما شهرت اون رو نه تنها خیلی بعید می‌بینه بلکه حتی احتمال اون رو هم نمی‌ده.
ویوین همین‌طور بیشتر و بیشتر شناخته می‌شه و در همین اثنا، در لندن، وارد کمپانی اولیویر می‌شه، با اولیویر آشنا می‌شه، اون‌ها عاشق هم می‌شن و شوهر و دخترش رو در کمال محبت و بسیار مسالمت‌آمیز ترک می‌کنه.
همین موقع‌ست که برای یکی از اولین فیلم‌هاش بهش پیشنهاد می‌شه که اسم فامیلیش رو به لی تغییر بده و اسمش رو از Vivian به Vivien تغییر بده چون دخترونه‌تره.
و بالاخره نوبت به بربادرفته می‌رسه. کارگردان دو سال دنبال بازیگر اسکارلت اوهارا می‌گرده اما کسی رو پیدا نمی‌کنه‌. تا وقتی برادرش ویوین رو می‌بینه و اسکارلت اوهارا پیدا می‌شه. ویوین خود اسکارلت بود.
"First, Myron Selznick had to be convinced that no one but she should be cast as Scarlett. On the morning of December 10, the third day of her stay, they met briefly. “My God, you are Scarlett!”

بعد از تست‌های متعدد ویوین برای اسکارلت، قرارداد بسته می‌شه و دختر شونزده‌ساله‌ای که "زیبا نبود اما جذابیت‌های زیادی داشت"، با چشم‌های گربه‌ای که "حالتی خاص داشت، میشی نبود اما بیشتر به سبز روشن متمایل بود. دو گوشه‌اش مورب بود،"، برای ابد توی یادها و خاطره‌ها ثبت می‌شه.
"Vivien, like Scarlett, was from her child hood an extraordinary and powerful personality and a desperate and unconquerable survivor. There was about her a wildness that flashed in her eyes, and yet few women had more outward composure, elegance, or style. Even at twenty-five she was a complex, exciting woman who created a world of her own."
(جالبه کلارک گیبل(رت باتلر)، سر ست بربادرفته، خیلی شاکی بود که چرا به ویوین لی و اولیویا هویلند(ملانی همیلتون)، و کلا لیدهای زن بیشتر توجه می‌شه تا اون. می‌گفت تصویر من روی اسکرین خیلی مهمه ولی شما به زن‌ها بیشتر توجه می‌کنید. البته خودش هم گویا خیلی تنبل بوده.
"She regarded Gable as lazy, not too bright, and an unresponsive performer (though she was always laudatory about his kindness and good manners to her). She could not understand how he could leave the set promptly each day at six P.M. as though he held an office job. She seldom left the studio until eight or nine at night and worked six, often seven days a week. “What are you fucking about for?” she would complain to Gable and Fleming when Gable took time out to rest. Gable admired his leading lady’s vocabulary, as did Fleming, but otherwise he was a bit put off by her intellect and her dedication to work.")

بعد از بربادرفته، ویوین کارهای زیادی رو توی کارنامه‌ی خودش ثبت می‌کنه. دقیقا بعد از بربادرفته، کارگردان همون کار شروع به ساخت بلندی‌های بادگیر می‌کنه و از قضا، همه امیدوارن ویوین لی توی اون بازی کنه چون اولیویر هم نقش هیتکلیف رو داره، اما این اتفاق نمی‌افته چون قول کاترین به کسی دیگه‌ داده شده. می‌گن ویوین می‌تونه ایزابلا رو بازی کنه ولی مطمئنا این نقش اصلا برای اون نیست و ویوین ردش می‌کنه.
همین‌طور، دوباره برای فیلم ربکا، اولیور نقش شوهر ربکا رو داره و ویوین در صدد گرفتن نقش دختر برمی‌آد اما نقش رو بهش نمی‌دن چون اون‌قدر معصوم و خنگ به‌نظر نمی‌آد.
همین موقع‌ست که بهش واترلو بریج پیشنهاد می‌شه.
زندگی حرفه‌ای ویوین و اولیویر برای مدتی که درگیر جنگ جهانی و جنگ بریتانیا می‌شن قطع می‌شه. بعد از جنگ ویوین بیمار می‌شه و مدت زیادی رو توی خونه‌ی جدیدی صرف می‌کنه که اولیویر با اصرار زیاد و بخاطر متعلق بودن اون ساختمون که در قرن دوازدهم یه صومعه بوده خریده.
زندگی حرفه‌ای ویوین دیگه در اوج خودش نیست. کارهایی مثل تزار و کلئوپاترا، رومئو و ژولیت و آنا کارنینا هستن اما ویوین ناراضیه.چون دیگه سی و خرده‌ای ساله‌ست و انتخاب نمی‌شه! مثلا همین اولیویر تصمیم به ساخت فیلم هملت می‌گیره و ویوین رو برای افلیا انتخاب نمی‌کنه.(چقدر این شرایطش من رو یاد آرکادینای چخوف می‌ندازه‌‌.)
ویوین در کنار اولیویر و پسر اون، زندگی‌ای رو ادامه می‌ده که هیچ لیاقتش رو نداشت. خوشحالم که حالا همه ویوین رو بدون مردی که همیشه خودش رو پایین‌تر از اون می‌دید می‌شناسن.
ویوین از اوایل سی سالگیش، مشغول دست‌وپنجه نرم کردن با حمله‌های منیک_دپرسیو که حالا ما به اسم بایپولار می‌شناسیم می‌شه و سلامیتش رو تا حد زیادی از دست می‌ده و اسمش در جهان و سینما از سر زبون‌ها می‌افته‌. اگرچه که همه اسکارلت اوهارا رو یاد می‌آرن!
"Wherever she went, everyone recognized Scarlett O’Hara. Autograph collectors followed them. Fans crowded around them. It was a small indication of what would happen once they reached Australia. Gone With the Wind had assumed the stature of a classic with continuing appeal. It had only recently premiered in the liberated cities of Europe—Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna. Everywhere else it had been reissued several times. Vivien enjoyed the instant recognition, the return to star status."
(یه چیز جالب: سکانس اول بربادرفته که اسکارلت روی پله‌های تارا نشسته و می‌گه: war, war, war. کارگردان بعد از گرفتن سکانس تصمیم می‌گیره لباس اسکارلت تمام سفید باشه تا نمادی از جوانی و باکرگیش باشه. برای همین بعد از تموم شدن فیلم‌برداری، ویوین باز برمی‌گرده تا این سکانس رو دوباره بگیرن، اما حال روحی خوبی نداشته و سکانس خیلی بد می‌شه! کارگردان ازش می‌خواد با اولیویر بره سفر و برگرده و وقتی برمی‌گرده، اولین سکانس بربادرفته، وقتی اسکارلت شونزده‌سالشه گرفته می‌شه.)
اوضاع سلامتی ویوین و اولیویر(فیزیکی)، و مالی اون‌ها به مراتب بهتر می‌شه. اون‌ها تصمیم به بازگشایی یک تئاتر می‌گیرن و ویوین خودش رو برای بازی نقش آنتیگونه بازی می‌کنه.
در همین اثنا هست که برای اتوبوسی به نام هوس ادیشن می‌ده.
"Tragic heroines were, in fact, much on her mind. A Streetcar Named Desire had opened in New York on December 3, 1947, not long before the Australian tour. Cecil Beaton had rung Vivien on the telephone to tell her he had seen it and that it was an ideal role for her. She had secured a copy of the play just before the tour and had read it many times during their travels, dog-earing it as she had once done to Gone With the Wind."

"Olivier treated Vivien with a new professional respect, doubtless because of her emergence as a fine tragedian in the role of Antigone. It was Vivien who had fought to include Anouilh’s version of Sophocles’ Greek classic into the Old Vic repertory season of 1949. The play had been rewritten by Anouilh as a parable of wartime France and had been a great success in its opening season in Paris. When the curtain rose, Vivien, as Antigone, sat at the back of the stage, a white-faced, wild-eyed creature, arms clasped on crossed knees, while Olivier, as the one-man chorus, stood wearing modern evening dress as he described the tragic destiny that the gods had waiting for her. Her performance was one of great power, and Olivier was startled into a new assessment of her capabilities as a stage actress. Two months after her first appearance as Antigone, he enthusiastically agreed to produce and direct the London production of A Streetcar Named Desire with Vivien as Blanche DuBois."
این خیلی برای من جالبه که دقیقا دوتا از بهترین‌ نقش‌های ویوین لی، همون‌هایی هستن که خودش باهاشون ابسسد می‌شه؛ انگار یه جورایی متوجه می‌شه که اون نقش تمام و کمال مال خودشه. نه تنها مال خودش، بلکه خودش رو کاملا در اون‌ها می‌بینه.
"Vivien was always drawn to characters of queenly dimensions— Scarlett, Emma Hamilton, Cleopatra, Antigone, and now Blanche— all women whose passions gave stature to a play or film. Tennessee Williams says of Blanche, “She was a demonic creature, the size of her feeling was too great for her to contain without the escape to madness.” Vivien became more and more obsessed with Blanche, seeming to understand her with even greater intensity than she had Scarlett. Blanche was different from anything she had ever done, and as far from Scarlett as another woman could be. Yet they were both true daughters of a romantic tradition that harbored nostalgic regret for the loss of the past. Like Vivien, Blanche was a creature living on frayed, snapping nerves, a woman constantly aware of madness, but who could still conjure up the white pillars and trimmed lawns of the past, while living in squalor."
بلانش متناسب با وضعیت فعلی روانی ویوین در زندگی خودش بود‌.
"The critics called Blanche a nymphomaniac and a prostitute and the play was snidely referred to as “low and repugnant” in the House of Commons and condemned by the Public Morality Council. The Times came to the conclusion that “the purpose of this play is to reveal a prostitute’s past in her present.” But Vivien had never once believed that Williams had written about a prostitute. To her, Blanche was a tragic woman whose past was too lonely and loveless to support her fading, aging beauty, a woman fighting for a last desperate chance of a life of gentility,
one whose fantasies finally careen her into madness."
کار ویوین اون‌قدر در آنتیگونه خوب پیش می‌ره که تصمیم گرفته می‌شه فیلم اتوبوسی به نام هوس رو هم کار کنن.
"The play had now been bought by Warner Brothers. Kazan and Irene Selznick both felt Vivien should portray Blanche on the screen."
همون‌طور که مشخصه، ویوین هوش خیلی خیلی زیادی داشت که یکی از همبازی‌هاش روش تاکید می‌کنه. اون می‌گه ویوین درون‌مایه‌ی متن‌ها رو به خوبی درک و تحلیل می‌کرد، قدرتی که اولیویر هرگز قادر به داشتنش نبوده!
"The prop man would question Vivien: “What sort of things do you think Blanche would have on her table next to her bed?” She decided it would be a picture of Blanche when she was young, and objects that came from her past—a dance program, a gift from an admirer, a picture of her family home."

باوجود همه، ویوین و اولیویر برگشتن انگلستان،
"It had been nearly nine years since either of them had been there. Many dramatic changes had taken place. Vivien no longer considered herself a film star, nor did she believe she needed Hollywood to advance her career. And they were now Sir Laurence and Lady Olivier, which in a society based on fairy tales very much changed their social status. It was difficult not to reflect on the last time she had left England for Hollywood, a runaway lover determined to remain at Larry’s side in spite of all censure."
و زندگی نسبتا آرومی داشتن. ویوین ارتباط خوبی با شوهر سابقش لی داشت و لی بود که روان مشوش اون رو کمی آروم می‌کرد. ویوین که از اسم‌های مخفف خودش خیلی بدش می‌اومد، هیچ مشکلی نداشت که به اسمی که لی صداش می‌زد صدا شه، Vivvy.
البته که هیچ گرایش جنسی‌ای نسبت به لی احساس نمی‌کرد و این باعث آرامش‌ خاطرش می‌شد.
ویوین تلاش کرد ارتباط مادردختری خودش رو با دختر شونزده‌ساله‌ش، سوزان، که سال‌ها رهاش کرده بود، بهتر کنه. اما
"The girl appeared to be leaning toward a career in the theatre and hoped to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. In the beginning Vivien tended to dissuade her, reminding her that there were about 12,000 actors out of work in England at the time. It was a curious attitude for Vivien to take in view of her own experience, but she did not believe that Suzanne had the natural ability to make a success of it without a terrible and hard struggle. When she saw that Suzanne was serious, she backed her up. There was no apparent bitterness on the girl’s part for past indifference, and Vivien felt Leigh was responsible in the main for that. But try as she did, she could not relate to her daughter in a true maternal fashion."
و همون‌طور که خود ویوین بعدا می‌گه
"I guess I’m just not a maternal person, after all."

حمله‌های منیک ویوین، بیشتر و بیشتر روان اون رو فرسوده و خسته می‌کنه. ابسشن، پرفکشنیسم بیش از حد اون و مقایسه، این منتال ایلنس رو هرچه بیشتر برای ویوین سخت می‌کنه.
"Life was becoming increasingly more painful to Vivien, at times almost intolerable. She knew she could never free herself from her obsession to accomplish theatre greatness, and yet she feared failure irrationally and with true and mounting terror. "

ویوین که جوانی بسیار عالی‌ای داشت و همیشه زیباترین زن جمع بود، البته که هرگز تواضع رو کنار نمی‌ذاشت، با از دست دادن جوانی‌ش اطرافیانش شاهد تشدید وضعیت اون بودن.
"The magnifying mirror on her dressing-room table told her that though she remained an extraordinarily beautiful woman she was no longer a young one. She was nearing her fortieth birthday and the thought terrified her. Youth was constantly on her mind and she was becoming obsessively jealous of anyone who had it. She would swing between happiness and misery and she cried easily. One minute she wanted more than anything to give Larry a child, the next she considered having an affair. Her reason was blurred by panic."
فیلم Elephant Walk به ویوین پیشنهاد می‌شه و اولیویر فکرمی‌کنه بد نیست اگه ویوین به غیر از بیماریش درگیر چیز دیگه‌ای هم باشه. بنابراین این پیشنهاد رو قبول می‌کنن. اما وقتی داشتن با هواپیما سر ست فیلم‌برداری می‌رفتن، ویوین دچار یکی از حمله‌ها می‌شه و تلاش می‌کنه خودش رو از آسمون به پایین پرت کنه. تا هواپیما روی زمین بشینه باید تصمیم گرفته می‌شد که ویوین باید توی فیلم باشه یا نه. تصمیم بر موندن اون و ادامه دادن بود اما
"Vivien sent word to Louella Parsons that she would like to see her. The meeting was arranged for Tuesday, the following day. The two women chatted, Vivien quite gaily, if somewhat drawn and nervous. “I think this will be my last picture,” she told Parsons. “Life is too short to work so hard.”
همین‌طور رابطه‌ی افسانه‌ایش(به گفته‌ی بقیه البته) با اولویر رو به اتمام بود.
"He felt—as did Vivien—that because theirs was a superior, sublime love it could survive most difficulties. Yet he was growing increasingly alarmed that her extremes of manic behavior could change that, and that the direction of their relationship was moving out of his control."
‌"Where had the young beautiful years gone? Were they to end with Vivien declining into madness? He stood by and watched as the nurses sedated her and got her settled into a seat. He could not bring himself to look at her until she had slipped into a heavily drugged sleep. Even in that state and after all she had put herself through, she was unbelievably lovely."
بین سال‌های ۱۹۵۰ تا ۱۹۶۰، اون‌ها در پرتنش‌ترین سال‌های رابطه‌شونن، هرچقدر که ویوین اعتمادبه‌نفس خودش رو از دست می‌ده، اولیویر بیشتر به دست می‌آره. بدون ویوین برنامه‌هایی می‌چینه، از همبازی شدن با اون سرباز می‌زنه و ویوین رو
می‌پیچونه.
ویوین اولیویر رو از دست داد.
"Yet she had lost him as surely as she had lost her youth."
تنها چیزی که ویوین عزیزم بهش احتیاج داشت این بود که مردی که تمام عمرش عاشقش مونده و اون رو از چیزی که هست بهتر نشون داده، کنارش باشه. بنظرم یکی از شباهت‌هاش به اسکارلت، زندگی عشقیش و چیزی بیشتر از اونه. توی کتاب‌ گفته می‌شه ویوین تقریبا همه‌ی سال‌های زندگیش رو با یه مرد میگذرونه. اول لی، بعد اولیویر و در نهایت جک. اسکارلت هم ازدواج‌های زیادی کرده بود و همیشه مردی رو کنار خودش داشت. همچنین،
 “She loved him to the end, no question,” says Tarquin. “She had his photograph by her bed all the time she was with her final partner, Jack Marivale."
اسکارلت هم دقیقا وقتی با رت ازدواج کرده بود عکس اشلی رو توی پاکتی نگه می‌داشت. همونی که رت وقتی می‌آد تا از اسکارلت درخواست یه بچه‌ی دیگه رو بکنه، روی میز آرایشش پیدا می‌کنه.

ویوین، جمعه، هفتم جولای ۱۹۶۷، وقتی پنجاه و سه ساله بود، تنها توی اتاقش میمیره. وقتی جک(معشوق جدیدش) در اتاق رو باز می‌کنه، اون رو پخش زمین می‌بینه و کمی بعد ویوین جونش رو از دست می‌ده. اون پیش از این گفته بود:
“I’m not afraid to die,” she confided after an hour or so of silence.
بعد از مرگ ویوین لی، هدایای زیادی به دوستانش داده شد، چرا که این عادت همیشگی و خوب اون بود که عاشق بخشش وسایلش به دیگران بود.
"Vivien Leigh molded her life from dream and fantasy, which never contain defeat, lived in the future, where almost anything could happen, and truly believed, like Blanche, that everyone had a right to magic. And magically she lived her life."
""
سعی کردم به صورت خلاصه چیزهایی که از زندگی ویوین لی یاد گرفتم رو بنویسم تا شماهم اگه دوست داشتید بیشتر بشناسیدش؛ برای این‌که دین این سال‌های طولانی که ویوین لی رو می‌شناختم رو ادا کرده باشم. (زمانی رو یادمه که همین‌جا توی گودریدز از عشق بی‌اندازه‌م به بربادرفته نوشتم.)
حتما دوباره به ویوین لی برمی‌گردم و زندگی‌نامه‌های دیگه‌ای که ازش نوشته شده رو می‌خونم.
""

She was asked questions like “What do you suppose happened to Scarlett O’Hara after Rhett Butler walked out?”
“I think she probably became a better woman, but I don’t think she ever got Rhett Butler back.”

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a wonderfully written story about an extremely interesting actress. Vivien Leigh surpassed many obstacles to become a leading actress, whose first love was the theater, and only did films for the financial benefit. I was amazed to learn of her life and the separation from her parents of a very young age. But, according to Anne Edwards, Vivien remained friendly and loyal to everyone she met. I felt that Laurence Olivier contributed to her many bouts of depression, and I really thoroughly disliked him, I felt that Edwards presented the story very convincingly and truly showed the ravages of tuberculosis and depression that Vivien suffered. My only concern was that a few of the photographs in the fist section were incorrectly labeled. I greatly enjoyed the first chapter and the search for Scarlett O'Hara. After reading this biography, I am interested in viewing Gone With the Wind again, and possibly reading Anne Edwards biography on Judy Garland.

[M-L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first real biography I've ever read. I've always had this terribly ignorant view of biographies as being dry and stuffy. How wrong was I? Vivien Leigh stole my heart a long time ago when I first watched 'Gone With The Wind' this biography of her life truly captured those feelings all over again, Leigh is magical. Her life although exciting and beautiful was followed by this dark shadow of tragedy and sadness. I didn't know so much of the information about Leigh, how her name came to be, the hunt for Scarlett o' Hara, her obsession with Olivier, her determination to become a great actress (which she truly was). I was fascinated and engaged with this terrific book from the word go and was totally moved by Leigh. I think fondly of her Cheshire Cat smile and hope she rests in peace. x

[Nick Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting biography of the actress and star of 'Gone With The Wind', but fairly hard going. As true and complete a record of Leigh's life as this was, the author erred more on the side of factual content, and less on the side of crafting a biography that captured the reader and kept them rapt.

[Deborah Cottrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

For all those who loved to see this beautiful actress on screen can now read a fabulous story written for all us fans. But most of all for all that lo all that loved her. A MUST READ. NAMASTE

[Celine Godfrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an "Old Hollywood" fan and as such have read other bios about Leigh but none quite as revealing as this one regards her manic depression / bipolar disorder as it is called now. It really captures how quickly her mood could change and how vile and violent she could become when gripped by it. It's amazing, however, that she managed to control it whilst actually acting, maybe because she was so good at taking herself out of herself and actually becoming her character instead.

From childhood, Vivien appears to always have been beautiful, clever, charming and captivated everyone she encountered - even Olivier's first wife whilst he was still married to her but conducting an affair with Leigh. And she seems to have been completely oblivious to these traits, showing no vanity whatsoever but always well groomed, with exquisite manners and etiquette and a seemingly immensely surprising knowledge of just about everything! I didn't realise she was also a very talented linguist being fluent in French, German and Italian and even dubbed her own voice in these languages for overseas versions. It also captures hers and Olivier's devotion to each other and her constant opinion that she could never quite match up to him. With her frail physical health (suffered with bouts of TB throughout her life), she never let that stand in the way of her doing things. She really was a fighter and put her work above her health. And Olivier too, even to the point of acquiescing to his divorce request though obvious she did not want to. She remained in love with him for the rest of her life, despite finding "love" or at least companionship and living with Jack Merrivale until her death.

She seems also to have treasured friendships. She remained steadfast friends with her ex husband even holidaying with him and their daughter whom she had an oddly distant relationship with until she was grown up and married and had presented her with grandchildren.

She managed to continue to impress even after the Olivier divorce with stage awards (she was also acutely adept at both stage and movie acting techniques) and seemed to eventually find happiness and peace (outside of the manic episodes) by the end of her life which came during a bout of illness but quite unexpectedly as she was recovering.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to Old Hollywood and/or Leigh fans. It's made me now move on to reading the most recent bio of Olivier and both as matching up very well so far. Has also made me seek out and watch her other movies (GWTW is my favourite all time movie). She was fantastic in it and you can't imagine anyone else as Scarlet. But I also loved her in Waterloo Bridge (another favourite of mine) Anna Karenina and Streetcar (which was very personal for her and often very difficult for her state of mind). I have seen her Cleopatra, Lady Hamilton and even Fire Over England and now want to see the lesser known movies, although I'm sure that, although lesser known in titles, Vivien's appearance in them is still as beautiful and her portrayal just as captivating as the lady herself.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gone With The Wind is one of my all time favorite movies so when I spotted this book at my Aunt's house, I knew I wanted to read it. I sometimes Google a celebrity to learn more about them and I honestly don't know why I had never done that to learn more about the person that was Vivien Leigh. I do prefer to read books about them because the authors have often spoken to people close to the subject or even the subject themselves. After reading this book I am even more in awe of this fascinating woman. Her loyalty to others was unparalleled and they seemed to have returned the sentiment to her. She endured quite a lot in an era when, compared with today's medicines and technology, her options were limited, and down-right primitive. I had to wonder how differently things might have been if she had not had to struggle through illness. Because of it or in spite of it, she comes across as a very likable, even lovable person. I really enjoyed reading this book. I kept finding myself feeling like I was there as this woman lived out her life and felt emotion for her as if I knew her. Perhaps the only negative thing was that some parts of the book were written almost in a breathless, run-on way that sometimes jumped from one moment to something completely different without a break to separate them. It led to a moment of two of confusion. Overall I really liked it and feel like I was given some insight into a woman that has intrigued me for many, many years.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One night in Stratford there was a mix-up after the show and they missed their last train home. Vivien and George and Mercia Relph who were also in the company, finally managed to get a lift from a farmer who was going their way. It turned out he had been to the play and he began, on being asked how he had enjoyed himself, to tell his passengers what a miserable time he had had, giving them several solid minutes on how lousy it was in every possible way, vehemently adding, 'And as for that knock-knee'd bugger in the second act-' at which George Relph swiftly inserted, 'That was me,' and the man, without any hesitation said, 'Marvellous!'"

Think about it ... she was Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche DuBois! Pretty cool, huh?

But the poor old, mad old thing was never ever happy and worked and worked and worked. She's "raging like a tiger" in dressing-rooms and everyone's having an absolute nightmare ... physically wrestling with her ... and then they're wheeling her out again six months later for another bite at the cherry. Depressing.

This is an adequate biography. Strange stuff happens from time to time (one chapter seems to have all of the exclamation marks! And then we start seeing lots of personal correspondence ... where previously we had none) but it does the job.

[Selina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago and of all the biographies of Leigh I think it was good to get a female perspective on how the the actress who played the infamous Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind lived. I think it dwelt too much on the manic depression at times and not enough on the good things in Vivien's life so it made for a rather depressing read. Also as it was one of the first bios out it seemed a bit 'quick' and many of the 'facts' in it are inaccurate or exaggerated. However the bio has good pics..did Vivien ever take a bad photo? Good candid shots and an easy reading (sort of like reading a rather racy novel..is that good or bad?) I think Vivien would have laughed had she read this account of her life by someone who can't be said to have really known her that well, however kudos to Anne for doing the ground research, especially coming after her excellent bio on Margaret Mitchell, "Road to Tara" who could not resist writing a book on Vivien Leigh?

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography has made a lasting impression upon me. I feel so sad for this woman who struggled with her mental illness and eventually drove away the love of her life. I have mixed feeling now towards Laurence Olivier (due to the events that unfold in their latter years together). Their love for one another was wild and strong, but succumbed to Vivien's illness. I guess everyone has their threshold, it is still so sad. A great actress who was a great beauty and to me will always be Scarlett O'Hara embodied. I say this because Gone With The Wind was made when Vivien was in her prime, madly in love with Olivier, as he was with she, and becoming a world reknown star. Props to Edwards for re-telling the tale of an english woman who became the southern belle immortal!

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew a bit about the fiery, gorgeous Vivien Leigh before I started, but most of this was new to me. And it's an interesting, moving biography (a little redundant at times, and I skipped reading all Viv's letters) with an obvious bias toward the actress (she's impeccable, gorgeous, well-mannered, etc, which makes her manic episodes all the more startling and horrifying to those around her). It did change my perspective of her, since I didn't realize what a gracious and humble human being she was, and I felt rather angry toward Laurence Olivier toward the end. I can't blame him for cutting ties when the going got rough (why*would* he stick around if commitment wasn't one of his virtues?) but all the same, it was rather mean of him to leave her like that. The ending made me cry.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Something I read recently recommended this biography. I decided to try it since I've always been intrigued by her as such a tragic figure. Her life was definitely tragic. Her great love and 2nd husband Lawrence Olivier divorced her when he could no longer cope with her mood swings, which got worse as she got older. The book gets a little tiresome when talking about her great beauty, impeccable manners and perfect hostess skills over and over and over again. Obviously well researched though, and written with insight and compassion for both the fairytale and nightmare parts of Leigh's life.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up I only knew Vivien as 'Scarlett O'Hara'. This insightful biography brings to light the strength of character this beautiful woman had throughout her life. It must have been horrific for her to deal with bipolar/schizophrenia back then before or modern meds were available. And then to had TB as well. Many would just curl up and die. This biography depicts the ups and downs giving the readers a powerful insight to an icon-both the person as well as the entertainer. I'd recommend it without hesitation!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did not know much about Vivien Leigh before this except she had been in Gone with the Wind, I didn't even know she was british!! This biography does a good job of sucking you into her life and problems. Her maniac depressive order is extenstively covered but the author ofter referred to her maniac phases as "bad behaviour" and not actually tell you what that bad behaviour was. Which did become irritating after a while, however, this is the major flaw of the book. It was an enjoyable read. If you enjoyable biographies, this is an enjoyable one and an easy read.

[Jo-dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good biography of Miss Leigh (considering Miss Edwards was her biographer). I have read the Alexander Walker bio and they really are up to par with eachother, but Miss Edwards wrote about things that Mr. Edwards didn't even mention in his bio version. Also she gave a more "in depth" perception of Vivien Leigh's "Manic Depression" or "Bi Polar Disorder" as it's known today. It is a very sad biography because we all know what happens at the end (the ending almost made me cry a bit more than AW's ending), but it is a must read and a wonderful dedication to Miss Leigh's memory.

[Ella rose marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am right now at the part in this book where vivien and olivier just finished gone with the wind. it was a very had time for vivien because she had changed directors three times, got yelled at, and her fellow actors weren't the most cooperative either. she talked of how clark gable had "terrible hygiene" and, he director would scream at her and make her cry during rehearsals. but still she got through it and became one of the worlds greatest actresses because of it! that is why i love vivien leigh.

[pianogal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned quite a bit in this one. I knew Viv was Scarlett O'Hara and Blanche DuBois, but pretty much everything else was new. I feel like I might've known that she was with Sir Laurence Olivier, but for some reason I thought she died young.

My main complaint about this book is that the author did a lot of copying and pasting of letters. Especially towards the end, big sections of the book, were just letter after letter from Viv to people - never any to her.

Definitely interesting, but not exactly a page turner.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge "Gone With the Wind" fan, I read this book many years ago. In addition to the book and the movie, I was captivated by the actress who played the primary female role so well. It's an excellent biography, and I especially remember being interested in her relationship with her husband, Laurence Olivier. Another tid-bit I remember from the book is Vivien reporting that she wasn't fond of kissing Clark Gable because he had bad breath.

[Ruth M. Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of one of the greatest film and stage actresses who ever lived.

Despite severe mental illness at a time when there was little effective treatment, Vivien Leigh, who battled remittances of tuberculosis as well, refused to capitulate. She continued on to achieve her best performances in the occupation she had been gifted with...even after her beloved Oliver abandoned her due to her bipolar disorder for a younger woman. Inspiring!

[Alicia K. Crowder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting bio left me wanting more

This biography of Vivien Leigh provided facts, details, and an overall view of this beautiful woman and actress. There is much discussion of her struggle with manic depression which was so at odds with her real personality. The book left me wanting more insight, though, about Ms Leigh herself. Some analysis of the bare facts would have been interesting.

[Amy Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better bios of Leigh. We follow her from her birth in India to the theatre to film, and really get into her romance/marriage with Laurence Olivier. Leigh was unfortunately mentally ill after GWTW, and underwent electroshock therapy & divorce. Still, a good portrayal of one of my favorite actresses!

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

My interest in Leigh comes straight out of my interest in Gone With the Wind. Of course, later on, I became a Tennessee Williams fan, so there's that too.