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My Judy Garland Life: A Memoir
An irresistible mixture of memoir, biography, cultural analysis, hero worship, and sequinstudded self-help that will speak to anyone who's ever nursed an obsession.
Judy Garland has been an important figure in Susie Boyt's life since she was three years comforting, inspiring, and at times disturbing her. In this unique book, Boyt travels deep into the underworld of hero worship, examining our understanding of rescue, consolation, love, grief, and fame through the prism of Judy. Her journey takes in a duetting breakfast with Mickey Rooney, a munchkin luncheon, a latenight spree at the Minnesota Judy Garland Museum, and a breathless, semi-sacred encounter with Liza Minnelli.
Layering key episodes from Garland's life with defining moments from her own, Boyt explores with insight and humor what it means, exactly, to adore someone you don't know. Does hero worship have to be a pursuit that's low in status or can it be performed with pride and style? Are there similarities that lie at the heart of all fandom? Chronicling her obsession, Boyt illuminates her own life and perfectly distills why Judy Garland is such a legend.
Judy Garland has been an important figure in Susie Boyt's life since she was three years comforting, inspiring, and at times disturbing her. In this unique book, Boyt travels deep into the underworld of hero worship, examining our understanding of rescue, consolation, love, grief, and fame through the prism of Judy. Her journey takes in a duetting breakfast with Mickey Rooney, a munchkin luncheon, a latenight spree at the Minnesota Judy Garland Museum, and a breathless, semi-sacred encounter with Liza Minnelli.
Layering key episodes from Garland's life with defining moments from her own, Boyt explores with insight and humor what it means, exactly, to adore someone you don't know. Does hero worship have to be a pursuit that's low in status or can it be performed with pride and style? Are there similarities that lie at the heart of all fandom? Chronicling her obsession, Boyt illuminates her own life and perfectly distills why Judy Garland is such a legend.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Susie Boyt
17 books139 followersSusie Boyt (born January 1969) is a British novelist.
The daughter of Suzy Boyt and artist Lucian Freud, and great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud. Susie Boyt was educated at Channing and at Camden School for Girls and read English at St Catherine's College, Oxford, graduating in 1992. Working variously at a PR agency, and a literary agency, she completed her first novel, The Normal Man, which was published in 1995 by Weidenfeld and Nicholson. She returned to university to do a Masters in Anglo American Literary Relations at University College London studying the works of Henry James and the poet John Berryman.
To date she has published four novels. In 2008, she published My Judy Garland Life, a layering of biography, hero-worship and self-help. Her journalism includes an ongoing column in the weekend Life & Arts section of the Financial Times. She is married to Tom Astor, a film producer. They live with their two daughters in London.
The daughter of Suzy Boyt and artist Lucian Freud, and great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud. Susie Boyt was educated at Channing and at Camden School for Girls and read English at St Catherine's College, Oxford, graduating in 1992. Working variously at a PR agency, and a literary agency, she completed her first novel, The Normal Man, which was published in 1995 by Weidenfeld and Nicholson. She returned to university to do a Masters in Anglo American Literary Relations at University College London studying the works of Henry James and the poet John Berryman.
To date she has published four novels. In 2008, she published My Judy Garland Life, a layering of biography, hero-worship and self-help. Her journalism includes an ongoing column in the weekend Life & Arts section of the Financial Times. She is married to Tom Astor, a film producer. They live with their two daughters in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 27, 2019
'My Judy Garland Life' is being re-released by Virago to coincide with the new, Renee Zellweger movie adaptation, so I am absolutely thrilled to be reviewing it as a part of an Anne Cater,Random Things blog tour!
Everyone knows of Judy Garland. Or at last, they think they did. Cultural icon, larger than life Hollywood Royalty,gay figurehead and the singer of one of the most memorable songs of all time.
But who was she?
Underneath the sparkly glitter lies a normal pair of shoes and this is what Susie Boyt exposes-the girl and then the woman behind the myth whilst not ever ruining or maligning the mystique.
It is actually quite an amazing feat to accomplish, simultaneously pulling back the curtain to reveal the real Wizard yet making the reader love her even more. This is truly a wonderful book and the parrallel tale of the author whilst writing the autobiography of Judy works so well as the story dovetails across the years, beginning with how this remarkable actress has shone a light into the darkest corners of Susie's life.
The hero worship of celebrity is dealt with carefully, for this is a real person who is so iconic that bringing a fresh perspective to Judy's tale makes us fall in love with her as Susie herself does. The grief and losses in their lives as well as the coping mechanisms and strategies used to move forward are heartbreakingly real.
How and why we venerate those who give us comfort in their appearances on stage and screen is as important as accurately portraying the facts of a life cut tragically short. It is not so much living vicariously through others or using the fictional world as a crutch, it is so much more than that. Rather, in attempting to rationalise her fascination with a figure so strongly embedded in the public conscience, Susie has created something unique, special and unforgettable, Rather like Judy herself.
About the author...
Everyone knows of Judy Garland. Or at last, they think they did. Cultural icon, larger than life Hollywood Royalty,gay figurehead and the singer of one of the most memorable songs of all time.
But who was she?
Underneath the sparkly glitter lies a normal pair of shoes and this is what Susie Boyt exposes-the girl and then the woman behind the myth whilst not ever ruining or maligning the mystique.
It is actually quite an amazing feat to accomplish, simultaneously pulling back the curtain to reveal the real Wizard yet making the reader love her even more. This is truly a wonderful book and the parrallel tale of the author whilst writing the autobiography of Judy works so well as the story dovetails across the years, beginning with how this remarkable actress has shone a light into the darkest corners of Susie's life.
The hero worship of celebrity is dealt with carefully, for this is a real person who is so iconic that bringing a fresh perspective to Judy's tale makes us fall in love with her as Susie herself does. The grief and losses in their lives as well as the coping mechanisms and strategies used to move forward are heartbreakingly real.
How and why we venerate those who give us comfort in their appearances on stage and screen is as important as accurately portraying the facts of a life cut tragically short. It is not so much living vicariously through others or using the fictional world as a crutch, it is so much more than that. Rather, in attempting to rationalise her fascination with a figure so strongly embedded in the public conscience, Susie has created something unique, special and unforgettable, Rather like Judy herself.
About the author...
September 19, 2019
Carole Morin author of Spying on Strange Men reviews My Judy Garland Life:
'Elizabeth Taylor has stolen Eddie Fisher from Debbie Reynolds....how these things affect us.' Sylvia Plath wrote in her diary, before Assia Wevill had 'stolen' Ted Hughes from her.
After a century of celebrity, we subconsciously measure our lives against those of the tragic and famous. Susie Boyt's My Judy Garland Life is an intelligent, at times hilarious, analysis of obsession.
You don't even have to be a Judy fan to enjoy this book. Everybody is obsessed with something, even if it's (only) Your Self.
Boyt writes with perception and clarity, and she knows her subject at least as well as the back of her hand.
Put on the red shoes.
'Elizabeth Taylor has stolen Eddie Fisher from Debbie Reynolds....how these things affect us.' Sylvia Plath wrote in her diary, before Assia Wevill had 'stolen' Ted Hughes from her.
After a century of celebrity, we subconsciously measure our lives against those of the tragic and famous. Susie Boyt's My Judy Garland Life is an intelligent, at times hilarious, analysis of obsession.
You don't even have to be a Judy fan to enjoy this book. Everybody is obsessed with something, even if it's (only) Your Self.
Boyt writes with perception and clarity, and she knows her subject at least as well as the back of her hand.
Put on the red shoes.
May 26, 2009
I discovered the charm of Susie Boyt's writing style in a magazine article and decided I had to read her memoir even though I wouldn't call myself a Judy Garland fan. I saw myself in the author's obsession (I have plenty of obsessions) and marveled at the way her love for Judy conformed with and/or shaped many of her quite dissimilar (to Judy's) life experiences. If you've ever had an obsession with a creative artist of any genre, you may want to check out this book.
July 6, 2025
I am very interested in the exact point in life at which the love stops. I always count how long a smile lingers on a fellows lips before it vanishes into the quotidian frown, and I’ve foreseen in the quickening of this process the sense of an ending many times.
May 15, 2009
I wanted to like this. I really did. I thought the premise was interesting as I've been more than a little starstruck before. But no matter how much I wanted to like it, I just couldn't. It was a struggle to get through it. Maybe in the end it was just that I didn't really care about Judy Garland as much as Boyt obviously does. I did, however, learned all that I could ever want to know about Garland. I also thought that the visit to Garland's final resting place at the end was bittersweet -- it was a lovely, fitting tribute in the end. Overall, I just don't think it was for me.
May 22, 2009
This was an interesting memoir. At first I wasn't sure whether to laugh at the protagonist, or feel compassion for her. It was a bit strange how she intertwined her life with that of a woman who died when she was 1 year old. But, somehow Judy Garland became a role-model and an inspiration in Susie Boyt's life. She gets to know herself through Judy Garland, as her story and that of Ms. Garland's parallel themselves. It is well-written, interesting, and yet a bit strange.
March 12, 2013
Self-indulgent in the extreme. I never leave a book unfinished once I start it, but I was sorely tempted to with this one. There are a couple of excellent biographies of the highly talented Ms Garland, and I strongly recommend that fans read one of those instead.
January 18, 2025
Couldn't finish as could not understand the obsession with Judy Garland
October 30, 2014
When I first saw this memoir by Susie Boyt I could not stop staring at the ruby slippers: the cover is simple but somehow mesmerizing. I adored Judy Garland as a child and still do to some degree, so I grabbed the book off the shelf right away, wondering what new insights the author might have on one of the most talented and stormy singers of all time.
I soon discovered, though, that Boyt’s book isn’t really about the wonderful Garland, even if it appears so on the surface, full of lovely photos and interesting little tidbits about the singer’s life. It’s more about the author, society, and how some of us, especially those of us who get more lonely than others, can focus on one particular star and feel like we know them and somehow need them in our lives for comfort and joy…wacko as this may sound, it’s true.
My Judy Garland Life: A Memoir also examines just how powerful popular culture can be in our lives, and also how we can get so caught up in a stranger’s life (especially a celebrity’s) that we are capable of imagining their enemies are our enemies. When Boyt read that a man Judy Garland once loved ran off with Lana Turner, she found she could no longer watch Turner’s movies.
Critic Ali Smith wrote in The Times: A…truly altruistic piece of modern thought, this wonderfully clever books gives its whole self, flings its arms out in a rainy street like a wonderful diva. Brava. I wouldn’t call it "altruistic," but I definitely agree that it "flings its arms" wide open and is ready and waiting for you to read it!
I soon discovered, though, that Boyt’s book isn’t really about the wonderful Garland, even if it appears so on the surface, full of lovely photos and interesting little tidbits about the singer’s life. It’s more about the author, society, and how some of us, especially those of us who get more lonely than others, can focus on one particular star and feel like we know them and somehow need them in our lives for comfort and joy…wacko as this may sound, it’s true.
My Judy Garland Life: A Memoir also examines just how powerful popular culture can be in our lives, and also how we can get so caught up in a stranger’s life (especially a celebrity’s) that we are capable of imagining their enemies are our enemies. When Boyt read that a man Judy Garland once loved ran off with Lana Turner, she found she could no longer watch Turner’s movies.
Critic Ali Smith wrote in The Times: A…truly altruistic piece of modern thought, this wonderfully clever books gives its whole self, flings its arms out in a rainy street like a wonderful diva. Brava. I wouldn’t call it "altruistic," but I definitely agree that it "flings its arms" wide open and is ready and waiting for you to read it!
January 30, 2024
it's a wonder susie boyt has never decided to start and write about her own personal cult, because i fear i would sprint immediately out of my life to join it.
when you begin this book, remind yourself it is a judy garland biography whose internal susie boyt memoir peeks cautiously out time to time to examine the audience from behind the stage curtain. the first 100 pages may frustrate you if, like me, you arrived here after reading susie's (can we be on a first name basis?) seventh novel, "loved and missed," which wrecked me for weeks.
stay the course. about halfway through the book the author hits a tipping point in understanding her own hero worship of judy garland, who prior to this novel i knew absolutely nothing about. miraculously, this book has led me to watch a few of judy's films and listen to her albums. i also found myself hero-worshipping the author, seeking out her writing and interviews and any chance i could to get more inside her head.
this is a novel about what it means to love someone or something, and what it says about us when we do. it's about addiction, in many forms, and about word of mouth, family, our roles. it's about the clumsy self-consciousness of obsession, and it's beautiful. please read this book, and everything susie writes. i am, as susie calls people who come to judy garland through friends, a judy convert -- and a susie boyt super fan.
when you begin this book, remind yourself it is a judy garland biography whose internal susie boyt memoir peeks cautiously out time to time to examine the audience from behind the stage curtain. the first 100 pages may frustrate you if, like me, you arrived here after reading susie's (can we be on a first name basis?) seventh novel, "loved and missed," which wrecked me for weeks.
stay the course. about halfway through the book the author hits a tipping point in understanding her own hero worship of judy garland, who prior to this novel i knew absolutely nothing about. miraculously, this book has led me to watch a few of judy's films and listen to her albums. i also found myself hero-worshipping the author, seeking out her writing and interviews and any chance i could to get more inside her head.
this is a novel about what it means to love someone or something, and what it says about us when we do. it's about addiction, in many forms, and about word of mouth, family, our roles. it's about the clumsy self-consciousness of obsession, and it's beautiful. please read this book, and everything susie writes. i am, as susie calls people who come to judy garland through friends, a judy convert -- and a susie boyt super fan.
November 19, 2014
I was left thinking "why did I even pick this one up to begin with?" I mean Judy Garland is great, but I feel no deep connection to her. I think the cover just got me. I do appreciate people who have obsessions and find it quite interesting. I like how the author was able to step outside her obsession to view it all objectively. I also liked the way different Judy fans were categorized. I do wish this book was organized better. I would highly recommend this book if you're a Judy Garland fan and if not meh skip it.
July 25, 2011
I am not a fan of Judy Garland but that wasn't an issue reading this book - it is partly a biography but is also the writer's own memoir. Well written, I found myself drawn to it until I had finished it and by the end felt I really knew something of the author. Would recommend this to anyone who understands what it's like to be obsessed by someone famous, or who wishes to understand these obsessions.
September 23, 2019
What an undiscovered gem! Totally unexpected fascination comes with this book, Susie Boyt is Judy Garland crazy and the book dissects the parallels between her life and Judy’s. Not a lot of similarities but strangely compelling all the same. Read my very honest review at www.booketybook.com
August 2, 2022
Not being a Judy Garland fan, I read this book more for the author's memoirs. I wish she had given more detail about her own interesting life.
December 26, 2023
I approached this book with some trepidation. Did I want to read about someone with an obsession about Judy Garland? It was only because I had read all of Susie Boyt's other books (all brilliant) that I pitched in. From her childhood, we already know her hero-worship for the star. It's true, there is a superb piece about when Susie is a child. And a section about Judy's trials of dieting and hunger. Unfortunately my notes seem to be a jumble, but that is rather like the structure of the book. It's not all about Judy. There are sometimes peripheral stuff like the passage "Three things that have consoled me at low moments". So the book is part memoir, part biography and part musings about fame, hero-worship. All with references to Judy along the way. There are lots about Judy's struggles with mental issues and visits to all sorts of analysts. The author pulls no punches about how difficult Judy could be.
Let me include this extract from halfway through that might demonstrate how the book is formed: "Devotion, devotion of a general nature, devotion even in the abstract, is a feeling I know well. It's one I enjoy. "It's All For You" Judy sings, and as I listen I think, Yes of course! That is as it should be! i like all forms of extravagance. Sometimes it seems to me that the most authentic kind of human interaction is saving someone's life. Yet occasionally, when I listen to this song (lots on you tube), it strikes me rather differently. This song doesn't always make me think of the people I love best. It doesn't even make me think of the people who love me more than they love anyone else, and there are a few of them. No, "It's All For You" can make me think of all the people I never came first with and of the times in my life when none of it was for me at all". And so on.
At a meeting with Liza Minnelli, Susie talks about books and is asked what sort, the reply is "black comedies about relationships ..... they're rather dark I'm afraid". Don't be, Susie, their darkness is brilliant. The author talks about Judy's husbands. She was Sid Luft's third wife. "Sid Luft was a man of considerable human charm but one of the great fourth-rate human beings of all time". In the chapter "Are you a Good Fan or a Bad Fan" we hear a good deal about the films in which Judy appeared. But the section about fans was not so good. Or in "The End of the Road" the visit to Judy's final resting place with her Judy friend Marc. In the final chapter "Encore, Encore", Susie has an arranged meeting with another ex-husband, Mickey Rooney. In a plush hotel they burst into song with "Our Love Affair" from the musical "Strike Up The Band". This is a writer who is not afraid to admit she thought it was from "Girl Crazy".
The book ends with a show called "Night on the Town" where Susie is invited to talk about Judy, answer questions and sing one song. We go full circle with a young Susie taking 2,000 dance lessons until her mother refuses to let her go on the stage. Fortunately. There are some great photos of the star, in one she is dancing with Lucille Ball with arms outstretched. But in the end, the book defies categorisation. Mostly very interesting, always beautifully written.
Let me include this extract from halfway through that might demonstrate how the book is formed: "Devotion, devotion of a general nature, devotion even in the abstract, is a feeling I know well. It's one I enjoy. "It's All For You" Judy sings, and as I listen I think, Yes of course! That is as it should be! i like all forms of extravagance. Sometimes it seems to me that the most authentic kind of human interaction is saving someone's life. Yet occasionally, when I listen to this song (lots on you tube), it strikes me rather differently. This song doesn't always make me think of the people I love best. It doesn't even make me think of the people who love me more than they love anyone else, and there are a few of them. No, "It's All For You" can make me think of all the people I never came first with and of the times in my life when none of it was for me at all". And so on.
At a meeting with Liza Minnelli, Susie talks about books and is asked what sort, the reply is "black comedies about relationships ..... they're rather dark I'm afraid". Don't be, Susie, their darkness is brilliant. The author talks about Judy's husbands. She was Sid Luft's third wife. "Sid Luft was a man of considerable human charm but one of the great fourth-rate human beings of all time". In the chapter "Are you a Good Fan or a Bad Fan" we hear a good deal about the films in which Judy appeared. But the section about fans was not so good. Or in "The End of the Road" the visit to Judy's final resting place with her Judy friend Marc. In the final chapter "Encore, Encore", Susie has an arranged meeting with another ex-husband, Mickey Rooney. In a plush hotel they burst into song with "Our Love Affair" from the musical "Strike Up The Band". This is a writer who is not afraid to admit she thought it was from "Girl Crazy".
The book ends with a show called "Night on the Town" where Susie is invited to talk about Judy, answer questions and sing one song. We go full circle with a young Susie taking 2,000 dance lessons until her mother refuses to let her go on the stage. Fortunately. There are some great photos of the star, in one she is dancing with Lucille Ball with arms outstretched. But in the end, the book defies categorisation. Mostly very interesting, always beautifully written.
February 14, 2023
I really wanted to like this book as I was a huge fan of Susie Boyt’s columns when she used to write regularly for the Weekend FT.
But although she has a nice turn of phrase and I persevered until the end, not least for the very brief glimpses of her own background and life, ultimately I simply couldn’t be interested in Judy Garland or more problematically interested in Susie Boyt’s rationalisations of her extreme fandom.
This is probably my fault rather than anything else, but there we have it.
But although she has a nice turn of phrase and I persevered until the end, not least for the very brief glimpses of her own background and life, ultimately I simply couldn’t be interested in Judy Garland or more problematically interested in Susie Boyt’s rationalisations of her extreme fandom.
This is probably my fault rather than anything else, but there we have it.
May 9, 2023
So I found this book on a list of 5 great biographies of Judy Garland. The problem is this is NOT a biography of Judy. This is a memoir of a fan and her huge admiration for Judy, with some biographical facts scattered in it.
I can not describe how much the author admires/worships Judy. A lot of the book, especially at first, is describing her with so many superlatives you would think she could walk on water. But this book is primarily about Fandom and the author 's feelings towards Judy.
I can not describe how much the author admires/worships Judy. A lot of the book, especially at first, is describing her with so many superlatives you would think she could walk on water. But this book is primarily about Fandom and the author 's feelings towards Judy.
March 21, 2024
totally uninterested.
March 2, 2017
A wonderful look into how Judy Garland impacts the lives of those around her and how she still to this day leaves an imprint that cannot be taken away. Although it is woven in and out of the life of the author, her story is just as gripping. There are times Boyt's story gets slightly muddled and the reader is a bit lost in a stream of consciousness rant or a rather peculiar daydream about Judy and Boyt's favorite poet John Berryman who died from struggles with alcoholism. The daydream portion bothers the reader in the sense that we are lost as to what Boyt is trying to formulate between the two icons she so admires: a romance, a friendship, an admiration? And where are they?: a mental hospital, a nursing home, or a recovery clinic to dry up? The cake talk and talk of other things sweet and edible can become tiresome as well. We aren't entirely sure of Boyt's mother's relationship with her (Susie's) father and her father remains a mysterious painter that lives on the other side of town. Other than those slight muddled areas the book itself speaks to all Garland fans and the pain of the fandom itself when running into troublesome fans as well as the fans that adore causing drama or stirring up rumors whether it be about Garland herself or other fans. It addresses what it means to be touched so deeply by the human condition and someone who understood it well and portrayed it profoundly to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
Hands up if you’ve ever obsessed over a celebrity? I imagine pretty much everyone reading this raised their hands just then. I know I did. While I’m no stranger to hero-worship, I did think reading this book that the author takes it to a whole other level. I’m a big fan of Mariah Carey and parts of this book reminded me of some lambs (Mariah’s name for her fans) I know who, while I understand their love and obsession, seem to me to never have left that peak of obsession we reach in our teenage years.
Susie Boyt opens her book talking about her love for Judy Garland and how it helped her when she was a shy, sensitive child. I can relate to that. I’ve always been someone who feels things deeply and like Susie I fell in love with The Wizard of Oz at just three years old. I was instantly obsessed with the film and knew it back to front and inside out. I would quote lines, watch it repeatedly and put on skits acting out scenes with my friends. Of course, I was always Dorothy. But unlike Susie it was the movie and Dorothy I fell in love with, not the actress herself, though I’ve always been a fan from a distance. I can also relate to music and words from someone you admire helping you through hard times. Bad break up - I’d put on Someday by Mariah Carey. A day I’m feeling low - I’d put on Through The Rain. I could probably name a Mariah song for every emotion and situation so I definitely get using that to help you or just to make your day brighter. I’m not going to pull her apart and critique how she hero-worships in detail, and I think there was a lot of positives she has gleaned from her love of Judy, but there were times I thought she seemed a little crazy and I worried about her.
I loved learning more about Judy, including the difficult parts, and she is more interesting to me than ever before. I’ve always been in awe of her talent and admired everything she achieved despite the many obstacles in her way, some of which she arguably put in front of herself. She was a star through and through. But she was also neurotic and insecure. I always saw a sadness to her, like you could tell this was all a bit much for her. All she wanted to be loved without condition other people taking from her and isn’t that what everyone wants after all? The tragedy is she never found it and died while estranged from her family and alone in a bathroom from an accidental drug overdose. That is no way for anyone’s life to end. I did like that her happiness and joy in life is emphasised as much as her difficulties aren’t shied away from. No one is one dimensional. They aren’t happy or sad, good or bad, they are a bit of everything and that changes all the time. This book showed me more of the real person behind the persona and it made me fall in love with her a little more.
But this book didn’t only teach me things about Miss Garland. It also gave great insight into how some fans think and can be affected by an obsession. The author is aware of how far she goes for her idol and often argues the virtues and benefits of such obsession, which I found fascinating. She asks why we’d want to give up the intense, teenage-like obsession when we get such a rush from it. The book contains a lot of psycho-analysis, which is understandable given her family history. All the way through the book it is clear that the author sees her life as having been enhanced by her love for Judy, rather than hindered by it. Though I have to wonder if there are times those around her wouldn’t necessarily agree.
An intriguing book that at times felt a little messy and strange, My Life With Judy Garland is honestly like nothing I’ve ever read before. And it is a book I won’t forget.
Thank you to Virago books and Ann Cater at Compulsive Reader Blog Tours for my copy of this novel.
Susie Boyt opens her book talking about her love for Judy Garland and how it helped her when she was a shy, sensitive child. I can relate to that. I’ve always been someone who feels things deeply and like Susie I fell in love with The Wizard of Oz at just three years old. I was instantly obsessed with the film and knew it back to front and inside out. I would quote lines, watch it repeatedly and put on skits acting out scenes with my friends. Of course, I was always Dorothy. But unlike Susie it was the movie and Dorothy I fell in love with, not the actress herself, though I’ve always been a fan from a distance. I can also relate to music and words from someone you admire helping you through hard times. Bad break up - I’d put on Someday by Mariah Carey. A day I’m feeling low - I’d put on Through The Rain. I could probably name a Mariah song for every emotion and situation so I definitely get using that to help you or just to make your day brighter. I’m not going to pull her apart and critique how she hero-worships in detail, and I think there was a lot of positives she has gleaned from her love of Judy, but there were times I thought she seemed a little crazy and I worried about her.
I loved learning more about Judy, including the difficult parts, and she is more interesting to me than ever before. I’ve always been in awe of her talent and admired everything she achieved despite the many obstacles in her way, some of which she arguably put in front of herself. She was a star through and through. But she was also neurotic and insecure. I always saw a sadness to her, like you could tell this was all a bit much for her. All she wanted to be loved without condition other people taking from her and isn’t that what everyone wants after all? The tragedy is she never found it and died while estranged from her family and alone in a bathroom from an accidental drug overdose. That is no way for anyone’s life to end. I did like that her happiness and joy in life is emphasised as much as her difficulties aren’t shied away from. No one is one dimensional. They aren’t happy or sad, good or bad, they are a bit of everything and that changes all the time. This book showed me more of the real person behind the persona and it made me fall in love with her a little more.
But this book didn’t only teach me things about Miss Garland. It also gave great insight into how some fans think and can be affected by an obsession. The author is aware of how far she goes for her idol and often argues the virtues and benefits of such obsession, which I found fascinating. She asks why we’d want to give up the intense, teenage-like obsession when we get such a rush from it. The book contains a lot of psycho-analysis, which is understandable given her family history. All the way through the book it is clear that the author sees her life as having been enhanced by her love for Judy, rather than hindered by it. Though I have to wonder if there are times those around her wouldn’t necessarily agree.
An intriguing book that at times felt a little messy and strange, My Life With Judy Garland is honestly like nothing I’ve ever read before. And it is a book I won’t forget.
Thank you to Virago books and Ann Cater at Compulsive Reader Blog Tours for my copy of this novel.
June 16, 2020
“Judy Garland has inspired and enriched my inner world.” This quote was one page 1 of the book and I knew from there I would love it and keep a pen by my side at all times when reading it. It was so comforting and relatable and it managed to put into words what and how I feel about Judy. So lovely, so real. Also side note that the questions that are answered by fans are also quite hilarious.
June 20, 2009
How I Came To Read This Book: I suspect I read about it in British Glamour and tracked it down on Amazon.
The Plot: Susie Boyt has always loved Judy Garland - despite only being alive for a few months when Judy tragically died. This book takes a look at the ways Judy has been a part of Susie's life, and the quest Susie is on to engage hero-worship of her favourite star in a world that never allowed her to reach out to Judy while she was alive. From Judy's young days at MGM (and Susie's dreams of stardom in dance class) to the world of Judy Garland fans, the book meanders between biography, examination of Judy fans, and touches of Susie's own life for a nostalgic, heartfelt book of adoration.
The Good & The Bad: Hmm...I found it hard to get into this book as much as I thought I would. I think it's because I'm not a massive Judy fan. I actually skimmed her entire life story on Wikipedia after a few pages of the book because I realized this book was really created for fans of Judy in the same league as Susie Boyt (which definitely helped me feel caught up ps). I also felt like titling this book a memoir was...well...it was lacking in structure and cohesiveness compared to other memoirs I read. Boyt's interjections often felt out of place unless she was engaging in Judy-exploration (like interview Mickey Rooney or visiting Garland's tomb), although in the earlier chapters the parallels of their lives were better explained.
That being said, I generally liked Boyt's writing, and perhaps most importantly, she made me want to believe in her love of Judy. I waited until I was finished the book to YouTube some of her performances and was blown away. The 1955 live version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow perfectly encapsulated what Boyt rhapsodized about during the entire book. She certainly did not underexaggerate what a magical performer Judy really is, and she definitely made me interested to explore the films and performances that are featured in My Judy Garland life. So I'm torn. I liked the emotion behind this book, but the actual structure was a bit aggravating. Then again, as I said, likely a fault of my not knowing the whole Judy story.
The Bottom Line: If you're a Judy fan already, you'll probably love sharing in Boyt's Judy Garland life - otherwise, pick up a bio on her instead.
Anything Memorable?: I randomly PVR'd Wizard of Oz before getting this book / reading it. I watched bits and pieces over the last few weeks but I'm reading to finish it off now that I'm done the book.
50-Book Challenge?: Book #26 in 2009.
The Plot: Susie Boyt has always loved Judy Garland - despite only being alive for a few months when Judy tragically died. This book takes a look at the ways Judy has been a part of Susie's life, and the quest Susie is on to engage hero-worship of her favourite star in a world that never allowed her to reach out to Judy while she was alive. From Judy's young days at MGM (and Susie's dreams of stardom in dance class) to the world of Judy Garland fans, the book meanders between biography, examination of Judy fans, and touches of Susie's own life for a nostalgic, heartfelt book of adoration.
The Good & The Bad: Hmm...I found it hard to get into this book as much as I thought I would. I think it's because I'm not a massive Judy fan. I actually skimmed her entire life story on Wikipedia after a few pages of the book because I realized this book was really created for fans of Judy in the same league as Susie Boyt (which definitely helped me feel caught up ps). I also felt like titling this book a memoir was...well...it was lacking in structure and cohesiveness compared to other memoirs I read. Boyt's interjections often felt out of place unless she was engaging in Judy-exploration (like interview Mickey Rooney or visiting Garland's tomb), although in the earlier chapters the parallels of their lives were better explained.
That being said, I generally liked Boyt's writing, and perhaps most importantly, she made me want to believe in her love of Judy. I waited until I was finished the book to YouTube some of her performances and was blown away. The 1955 live version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow perfectly encapsulated what Boyt rhapsodized about during the entire book. She certainly did not underexaggerate what a magical performer Judy really is, and she definitely made me interested to explore the films and performances that are featured in My Judy Garland life. So I'm torn. I liked the emotion behind this book, but the actual structure was a bit aggravating. Then again, as I said, likely a fault of my not knowing the whole Judy story.
The Bottom Line: If you're a Judy fan already, you'll probably love sharing in Boyt's Judy Garland life - otherwise, pick up a bio on her instead.
Anything Memorable?: I randomly PVR'd Wizard of Oz before getting this book / reading it. I watched bits and pieces over the last few weeks but I'm reading to finish it off now that I'm done the book.
50-Book Challenge?: Book #26 in 2009.
October 2, 2019
I didn’t know quite what to expect when I picked up this book. A biography of Judy Garland, whose films I have always liked, or a memoir of the author, whose life is somehow entangled with the iconic star? In truth, it is both of these, and something more, an insight into celebrity and obsession in the twenty-first-century.
Honestly written, with no filter, this is an intense book, the author truly believes that her love of Judy, someone who she never met, has and does have a profound effect on her life. Many of us have obsessions, some of us with celebrities, I love the Osmonds. I grew out of my blinkered obsession in my mid-teens, but I still like their music, and listen to it today. Few of us are so affected, but this makes riveting reading.
Aside from the biography, illustrated with wonderful images. there is the memoir, which is very readable sometimes amusing and poignant. The author also highlights obsession as an entity and explores through her experience, whether this is a positive or negative force.
Worth reading for the intrinsic interest value alone. It is thought-provoking and resonates.
I received a copy of this book from Virago Books in return for an honest review.
September 25, 2019
Thank you to Random Things Tours and the author for including me in the book tour for the reissue of My Judy Garland Life by Susie Boyt.
My Judy Garland Life is an interesting mix of memoir and biography, with the author inserting her own hero worship and thoughts into some history and details of Judy Garland’s life. I loved the addition of many historical photos amongst the book. I did not know much about her history as a child star either.
Mixing in some of the author’s obsession is an interesting way to do a memoir. I am not sure it was exactly my favourite mix of genres but if you occasionally shy away from the genre because it can be a little dry, this was an intriguing way to humanize the facts a little bit.
My Judy Garland Life is an interesting mix of memoir and biography, with the author inserting her own hero worship and thoughts into some history and details of Judy Garland’s life. I loved the addition of many historical photos amongst the book. I did not know much about her history as a child star either.
Mixing in some of the author’s obsession is an interesting way to do a memoir. I am not sure it was exactly my favourite mix of genres but if you occasionally shy away from the genre because it can be a little dry, this was an intriguing way to humanize the facts a little bit.
December 1, 2016
High marks for originality! This is a strange blend of autobiography of the author mixed with biography of Judy Garland. It stunned me that somebody could go on for that many pages about their feelings for Judy. I mean, I also love Judy, but whoa! a lot of feelings, analysis of feelings, philosophy of feelings, feelings. A glimpse inside the world of Garland super-fans, and what she meant to them. Some interesting reflections on bereavement, friendship. Author is a descendant of Sigmund Freud.
December 21, 2009
The author is obsessed with Judy Garland, has interviewed her children, husbands, costars, fans, and anyone else remoted connected to Judy. July has provided solace through times of despair. Her voice evokes a magical world for the author. I can truly understand this type of hero worship as I had the same tendencies during difficult periods of my life.
April 22, 2013
The author discusses her life in relation to her worship of Judy Garland.
A slightly odd book, entertaining in places, but the lack of background on Judy Garland (for all those who don’t know much about her) made the narrative slightly confusing. The lack of titles for many of the photographs (in the text) was annoying.
Probably a good read if you are a fan of Judy Garland.
A slightly odd book, entertaining in places, but the lack of background on Judy Garland (for all those who don’t know much about her) made the narrative slightly confusing. The lack of titles for many of the photographs (in the text) was annoying.
Probably a good read if you are a fan of Judy Garland.
May 9, 2009
I remember when I was little and I would see Judy Garland on T.V.-the way Susie Boyt describes her is so like I remember her. This is a very well written book-A page turner. Susie has peeked my interest so much that I ordered two DVDs on Judy. I look forward to reading Susie's next book.
August 17, 2009
One imagines a memoir written through a Judy Garland lens would almost inevitably be teeth-grindingly awful, but Boyt avoids all the looming pitfalls and manages to produce an affecting, heartfelt, wryly funny, utterly surprising work.
Absolutely glorious.
Absolutely glorious.
September 29, 2009
What an odd book! This woman, (trivia alert: daughter of painter Lucian Freud, great grand-daughter of Sigmund, undoubtedly the most interesting facts about her) is obsessed by Judy Garland and writes about said obsession in tedious detail.
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