Memoirs

by Joanna Lumley

Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous; Purdey in The New Avengers; Bond Girl in On Her Majesty's Secret Service; Sapphire in Sapphire and Steel; a castaway in Girl Friday; actress; model; writer; campaigner; inventor; TV presenter and journalist: Joanna Lumley has played many roles in her lifetime, but rarely had the opportunity to reveal her true self.

Intimate, funny, intriguing and moving, No Room for Secrets is a more surprising and revealing autobiography than any sensational 'kiss and tell' memoir you will ever read. Inside you will find the real Joanna Lumley.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, Autobiography, Audiobook

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2004

About the author

Joanna Lamond Lumley, OBE, FRGS is a British actress, presenter, former model, author, television producer, and activist.

Reviews

[Petra X · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joanna Lumley is stunningly beautiful, was a model, a very accomplished actress, a hilariously-funny comedian (Absolutely Fabulous http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/abfab) and a very successful animal and human rights activist and is in fact considered a National Treasure in Nepal since she won the Gurkhas the right to settle in the UK after service in the British Army.

You would think that with all this material she would have written a really interesting book, but it wasn't. The structure, of going room by room in a house and using that and the objects within it as a jumping-off point for relating events in her life was soft, more suited to one of the people called 'celebrities' who really haven't done anything much except employ PR companies to get their picture everywhere. The fact that she seemed to be terribly nice and no one ever said a bad word to her or did her wrong is also soft. A drop of the hard stuff, a little gall, a squeeze of acid brightens up an otherwise bland dish, and so it is with a biography. Mind, it would be good serialised in a woman's magazine illustrated by Patsy Joanna dressed impossibly well showing us around her house.

But I'm not sorry she can't write particularly well, she'd be perfect if she could and then I'd have to hate her!

[Christine Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore Joanna and was hoping to read all about the fabulous lifestyle she has lead. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. Before the100th page I was bored, I began speed reading until the end of the book. I read a lot of biographies and autobiographies but for me personally, this was possibly one of the less enjoyable. Love Joanna, didn't love the book. Christine

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the way Joanna Lumley took us around her big house and depending on what she saw, a funny story or anecdote would emerge, or she shared one of her many wonderful experiences. She really does seem to have met so many interesting people and had so many interesting experiences. What comes across about her most for me is her openness to not only experience the new, but to enjoy it. I envy her the ability to always be open to new ideas and people who are so different to her. I also love the fact that she has this great life and knows it and so enjoys it as nothing lasts forever.

A very easy read I recommend it as a piece of holiday or long weekend reading.

[Steve Cann · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife gave me this book as a surprise Birthday present, as she knew I'm a big fan of Joanna (and especially the show that made her famous, 'The New Avengers').

I do love autobiogs, and have read a huge amount ranging from Shirley Temple to Johnny Rotten.
This one though didn't quite live up to my expectations - it's more of a memoir than an actual autobiog, with Joanna carefully pulling up anecdotes and cherished memories, but without the grit and setbacks that make other autobiogs so compelling.

She uses the unusual idea of forming the chapters of her book around a tour of her house in Little Portugal in London - with each room or space sparking memories. Another unusual device is using a 'reader's voice' to question her as she goes along. I didn't mind this, but others may not find it so endearing perhaps.

She reveals very little about her private life and, bless her, seems to have sailed through her life and career with relative ease and good fortune.
While this is lovely for her of course, it doesn't make for the most fascinating autobiog. I do love the ones best where our hero or heroine triumphs over adversity and hopelessness to rise to the top of their chosen profession, and I can relate and empathize with them along the way.

But, having said that, Joanna is a lovely and warm person, completely authentic, eloquent, and a seasoned traveller. Her stories of her lives and travels in far-off countries are beautifully described, just as she shines on her travel programs on TV.

So, a bit of a mixed bag, but if you're a fan (like me) you'll still enjoy being a guest in her 'house' and your time in her company.

[Evelyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have much admired Joanna Lumley, so I was eager to read this memoir. However, I was left feeling very disappointed with this book. The concept of it seemed appealing at first; Lumley takes the reader through each room in her house and talks about various objects that have personal meanings etc and this is interjected with memories from her life. It soon becomes monotonous though and I also disliked the Q&A interview style which is how the book is laid out. I guess I was hoping for something much more in depth and with fantastic intelligent writing, which this book sadly falls flat on. There are some good bits which will still appeal to Lumley fans, but on the whole, this certainly could have been a hundred times better.

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've heard the lovely Joanna Lumley speak, you will thoroughly enjoy this, I clearly heard her voice throughout the book. Written as a conversation between herself and an interviewer, she natters on about family life, her house, mementoes and things that are important to her. When I'd finished, it felt like the end of a happy day spent chatting with a friend. I sighed as I put the book down, stood up and went off to bring in the washing.

[Linda O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

An unusual way of writing an
autobiography.
Joanna travels from room to room in her house, telling us little snippets of her past. She talks about her childhood & how she moved from country to country, as her father was in the gurkkas. Travels she's done in her adult life. Her charity work. She's a very intelligent lady & has varied views on multiple subjects. She seems to find joy in all manner of things. I really liked this book.
Joanna is such a lovely lady.

[BookAmbler · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, made all the better by her style of writing - I could hear her reading the words to me!

I was surprised and delighted to find out how eco-aware Joanna is. I think she'd love the idea of BookCrossing!

[Felicity]

What a great way to write a bio! she took an interviewer through each room in her house and discussed all the bits and pieces and gathered conversation. Thank god it was in chapters for each room, otherwise it would have been like one big long ramble. Very Vivid, warm and enjoyable.

[JoJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I confess to listening to this book, read by the author, so with Joanna Lumley's voice how could I not enjoy it. Taking pleasure in small things and with personal anecdotes I felt I now know more about her and for what else is a memoire for?

[Sam Romilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice style of writing with some good anecdotes. Nothing too revealing or intimate all a bit reserved. Format of a Q and A not that successful. A very special lady but not too much is shared.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting parts, but on the whole not as interesting as I'd hoped. I wasn't a fan of the Q & A style of writing or the lack of chronology, it made it quite difficult to follow.

[Josephine Pennicott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A re-read after seeing Joanna Lumley talk at the Sydney Opera house this year. Quirky and fun. Joanna takes you on a tour of her London house and describes the rooms relating it to anecdotes about her life from her childhood to her celebrity era. She's such a fun and fascinating personality that you don't want the tour to end. I especially liked the section about her house the Parsonage. She lived in the 18th century house for three years with her husband, Stephen Barlow. M.R James (the ghost writer) was born in the Parsonage in 1862. This part of the book was creepy and a contrast to the rest. I love Joanna Lumley and I'll know this is a book I'll return to again.

[Malcolm Schaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confess I only bought this because it was cheap on kindle but was very pleasantly surprised .it was not a predictable celebrity autobiography ,much less ego much less scrupulous gossip (slight disappointment) and much more quirky anecdotes best on a tour of her house room by room ,Knick knack by Knick knack .Clever and unusual way of structuring a book made it a much more interesting read.Also set out as a question and answer set up wasn’t so sure about that as interrupted the flow but plus marks for trying something imaginative

[s a pengelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and strangely comforting.

All the things I expected from this book are here, interesting, quirky, informative and much more besides. A very enjoyable read I kept for bedtime so as to eke out the pleasure. What I hadn't expected was the comforting warmth I felt reading it and the disappointment I felt on the last page knowing the visit into a fascinating life was over.

[Joanna Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rather unusual take on the author’s life. Talented Joanna takes you around her house and talks about her life through the various items she and her family have collected over generations. Beautifully written you feel you are walking around her home with her. A fab read.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Written with all the charm you’d expect from the author. It’s got an unusual device for reminiscing (an imaginary, literary tour around the house). It really feels like a very personal account, full of detail, whimsy, truth and honesty.

[Angela Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual read but really enjoyed it see Joanna in a different light now.

[Liz Bridgeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I like the way she uses her house to show you her life.

[Sharen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a life of adventure she has lived!

[Kiwi Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to bbc audio version read by JL (abridged?)

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was far too much meandering in this book for me.

[peter watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different style.

A very interesting and different way of telling the story, I enjoyed rereading bits hear and there, necessary to to keep up.

[Teren Hanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just thinking of Joanna Lumley makes me feel warm; such a caring person who cares about history and people who make it a better place. Her work with gurkhas is close to my heart. After having read her book, I have got to know her better. She is a great writer and paints pictures beautifully. I loved her format; what an interesting way of seeing and visiting someone in their house. I love her sense of humour; during the tour from room to room she always has a funny story to tell. It seems she is actually talking to you and you can hear her soothing voice. It is something to be read at leisure and I am certainly going to be dipping in-and-out when I am feeling low. An inspiring read!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars based on the audiobook read by Joanna Lumley.
A light-hearted look back at some entertaining stories from Joanna's life.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this was book was ok, but irritatingly frustrating to read like an interview. And I did not like how it was set up in rooms of her house (another reason to gloat about her fabulous life and home again)

I did not read all of it, but she is certainly good at talking about herself and her history. Which I admit I read part of, but then then it just went on and on and on...and I just did not want to read anymore!!!
It would've been better if she didn't include EVERYTHING. I have also listened to some of the audio book, which excludes the interview parts. Which was more my thing. But then again her voice started to annoy me....

Haha, you can't win!
And yes, I may not like her, but I still pick up her books out of facination

[Bor · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable autobiographies I have ever read. Contrary to most autobiographies she writes about herself and her experiences. Others are mentioned but never portrait in a bad way. Mrs Lumley seems to care about people, place, history and making the world a better place (without preaching). She is as funny in writing as when you see her on t.v. in an interview. Some of her ideas are so simple it is a shame no government has come up with them. No Room For Secrets is probably even a good read if you have never seen an episode of Absolutely Fabulous (in which she was the Great Patsy Stone) or New Avengers (in which she was the Great Purdey).

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanna Lumley isn't just an absolutely fabulous (sorry, had to!) actress, she has led a fascinating life, travelled extensively, met wonderful people and had great experiences. She is fiercely intelligent, well-reflected and funny, and you can virtually hear her characteristic voice read the book out loud to you as she recounts anecdotes and shares diary entries from her travels as she guides the reader through her house, room by room. I bought this book for 40p at a charity book sale - what a steal! I will now donate it to another charity book sale, in the hope that someone else will buy the book and find it as engrossing as I have.

[A.E. Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do adore this book. Particularly the audiobook, even if it is abridged. It's all told through Joanna taking the reader on a tour of her London home, springing from anecdote to anecdote, theme to theme, with delightful conversation ease. I find this book like a hug, or a coffee with a friend you know well - it's a lovely thing to listen to for a time if I need cheering, or distracting. Her enthusiasm for life, for travel, for learning, is contagious and inspiring, and this book frames all these things perfectly.

[Patricia Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I started this book I was taken with the unusual style of writing - we are taken on a tour of Joanna's house while Joanna answers questions about the things we see in each room. After a few chapters though it seemed a little contrived - but it is a novel way to tell the story of your life.

I admire Joanna Lumley and did enjoy the book but I was left with the feeling that only the surface had been skimmed - I'm sure a lot has not been told.