Over My Shoulder

by Jessie Matthews

book

480 pages, Hardcover

First published September 16, 1974

Reviews

[John Newcomb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love watching old Jessie Matthews films and I love her bouncy enthusiasm and the love of life she shows. I love the fact that like me she is a Londoner from Irish Welsh roots. And I love the honesty of this autobiography. What I wasn't aware of is what a difficult and screwed up personal life she had.

[Mark Leeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore Jessie Matthews, her films are fabulous. I’ve been a fan for many a year. I saw this book in a charity shop and just had to buy it. What comes over more than anything, is the fact that Jessie was a survivor. She was born into crippling poverty. Her husbands treated her badly, and that, coupled with the pressure of her career, resulted in depression and poor mental health. I was also sad to read that these pressures also affected the relationship with her adopted daughter, resulting in no contact for many years, although the book ends on a positive note with mother and daughter finding a new friendship. The book was written in 1974 and I have since read that the relationship turned problematic again. How sad.

The book was a pleasurable and easy read. I recommend it to anyone who loves the films of Jessie Matthews. Jessie was a real survivor. Shine on Jessie, we still adore you :-)

[Will · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5