Turned Funny: A Memoir

by Celestine Sibley

The author, a journalist at the Atlanta Constitution recounts her poor childhood, her career as a reporter, and her experiences as a Hollywood columnist

Genres: Memoir, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

A renowned southern author, journalist, and syndicated columnist, reported for the Atlanta Constitution from 1941 to 1999. Over her long career, she wrote more than 10,000 columns and many news stories of astonishing range, dealing with such varied topics as politics and key lime pie. Sibley was one of the most popular and long-running columnists for the Constitution, and her well-written and poignant essays on southern culture made her an icon in the South. Regarded by her colleagues as a reporting legend, Sibley was also the accomplished author of nearly thirty books published between 1958 and 1997.

Reviews

[Debbie]

It was not until she passed away that I discovered Celestine had written more than newspaper reports and columns. She was a facinating woman and her memoir reminded me why her's was the first column I turned to in the AJC.

[Gary Lee]

She was my grandfather's cousin, so I feel like I should read more of her output. Maybe once I start going through my elderly-man-into-geneology phase.

[V.S. Carnes]

I've actually got an autographed copy of this I found in a second-hand book store.

[Darla Ebert]

The author led a life of upheaval with an alcoholic husband during the days of and following World War 2. She became a journalist and author and prospered in a quiet way but chronic recurring disasters stalked her. I stopped counting how many times the poor woman had to pull up stakes and move house, that with three little ones in tow. Ms. Sibley did at last achieve a measure of fame and fortune and her determination along with a strong work ethic made her story worth reading.

[Massanutten Regional Library]

Bette, Elkton patron, July 2018, 4 stars:

An autobiography by Ms. Sibley detailing her life as a very poor but resourceful newspaper reporter. She also authored quite a few books. She is funny and interesting. I enjoyed the book very much, and "turned funny" is an old saying for someone who is "different, eccentric."