Vanessa: The Life of Vanessa Redgrave

by Dan Callahan

Who isn’t in awe of Vanessa Redgrave? Her career on stage and screen remains vital and her extreme-left political stands are still quite controversial. This is the moment, and this is the biography, to take stock of Vanessa Redgrave both as actress and as political activist with a critical, objective study of her life and career.


It is also time to account for her unparalleled achievements as an empathetic actress of considerable genius. Anyone who has seen Redgrave in her numerous stage and film roles will know why she is the very best we have. The radiant, fearless, daring, perverse and always unpredictable Redgrave is the brightest light in the forest of her famous family.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

343 pages, Hardcover

First published May 15, 2014

Reviews

[Jbondandrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have enjoyed this book more but the author seemed at times not to be able to decide whether he liked Vanessa or not. I think he was a bit harsh over her political activities and did not give much detail to her life or her films. I was a bit disappointed in his approach.

[Mick Meyers · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first biography on vanessa Redgrave started off strongly,then on later chapters it seemed to me the author had dismantled her work and didn't seem to have a positive criticism about either her stage or screen parts.if it wasn't the actress then it was those involved either in front of or behind the scenes.i don't go in for the warts and all biographies,or those that suck up to its subject,but a good honest account of their lives.rattled on about her political affiliations,but just warranted a couple of lines on Camelot or bear island.hopefully I will restore my faith with a better auto/biography.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free from the Goodreads First Reads giveaway and found it to be a very enjoyable read. I was skeptical at first when I read on the back cover that the author was professing to offer an "objective" view of Redgrave's career as an actress because he is clearly a big admirer of her. After reading it, I'm still skeptical about the objective view, but I do think he makes a solid attempt at providing a variety of responses to her many performances.

I'm not overly familiar with Redgrave's work, but I have seen a few of her films and thought this would be a great book to expand my knowledge of her life. I certainly learned plenty about her career as an actress and a little about her political activism. I think it was a little difficult for me to grasp, not having a solid foundation of knowledge about her prior to reading the book--I wished a few times that I'd read her autobiography first. I think some of the confusion I felt was due to the organization of the book; it's hard to follow at times, switching between Redgrave's acting, political views, family/relationships sometimes all on the same page, but perhaps that's a tribute to her rather erratic life.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking to learn more about the films, shows, and plays Redgrave has participated in, and how those performances were received. Overall, I would say this book is thoroughly researched, engaging, and at times, quite entertaining. A must-read for Redgrave fans.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up at the library on a mad hunt for just fun books to cheer me up. I have always found Vanessa Redgrave an amazing actress and known she had interesting political leanings but until I picked up this book, I would not have thought to read a biography of her.
The author is a fan (though he goes out of his way to remain unbiased--a good thing but maybe a bit overzealous)and has some interesting insights based on viewing Redgrave in plays as well as hard to find movies. The book was well written if a bit all over the place. I think this is mostly due to Ms Redgrave's rather nomadic life, but it does not have a linear feel. There is definitely the feel that a lot of info is not available--probably close mouthed friends and family (not a bad thing) and the fact that Redgrave has written her own autobiography---but it gives the book the feel of being incomplete.
I would also have loved to seen more photos--this would have been nice--not a necessity but always useful when reading a film biography and extra nice when the subject is so interesting. I suspect this also may have been a matter of not being able to get rights. Though these are fairly small flaws, added together they made the book just mediocre. The subject is fascinating and the writing competent, just nothing spectacular.

[Pamela Radell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this woman. Even told my husband that if she came knocking, I'd be leaving. Is there anything she does not know? Would have given a lot to see her one woman portrayal of Joan Indians, Year of magical thinking

[False · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the wealth of material about her family and it's multi-generational history in the theater and acting, I felt let down by this biography. I also did not like the author incorporating himself into the story line. Save that for your promotional interviews. The major works of Redgrave are covered, with synopsis, and her strange political bedfellows. Just one complaint, among many. I felt the author really skipped over her childhood and early learning period, and I questioned his choice of photographs. I know a lot hinges on copyright allowances and availability, but still. Overall disappointing, and I'm sure some day someone will write something more definitive.

[Nancy Chappell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was written by a man who cleared adored Ms Redgraves' acting. I have generally admired Vanessa Redgrave's acting as well as her personal story. I guess I wanted a little more of the personal story. It was good and interesting and there are definitely some works that I would like to see now after reading that - many of which don't seem to be on Netflix. Thankfully we have a very good, small independent video store where I hope to find some.

[Sue Huebner · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read to learn about a fascinating actress, her life and family. Always love a good biography and this one did not disappoint. A spot hear and there that dragged a little but overall good.

[Dina · Rating 1 out of 5]

When bad books happen to good people...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! Finally, a bio that captures the magic that happens on screen/stage. I am inspired to track down and watch every bit of Redgrave's work.