Ava: A Life Story

by Charles Higham

Ava Gardner

Genres: Biography

267 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

Charles Higham was an author and poet. Higham was a recipient of the Prix des Créateurs of the Académie Française and the Poetry Society of London Prize.

Reviews

[Kryptonian Fletch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll start by saying that I had no particular interest in Ava Gardner before this. I came across this book purely by chance a few years ago. Thriftbooks sent it to me by mistake instead of the book I had ordered. They quickly rectified the error, sent me the correct book, and told me to keep this one, so I shelved it.

A few days ago, I picked it up on a whim, expecting to read just the first chapter, dislike it, and move on. I anticipated it would be a simple compilation of magazine interviews. I was mistaken. The author conducted detailed first-hand interviews with a range of people from Ava Gardner's life— assistants and cameramen to major Hollywood stars. It seems he has some impressive connections and is a skilled writer. The result is a fascinating biography of a woman who, according to the author (and herself), was not a great actress but led a compelling life. Additionally, it offers a rich portrayal of the 1940s and 1950s film industry, when films were shot on location around the world, from cities like Paris and Rome to the remote inhabited landscapes of Pakistan and Africa.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow at times, the author shares the life of the first 50 years of actress Ava Gardner. And wow. She did a LOT of living, marrying, moving, and acting. Very inside Hollywood. Learned a little more about Sinatra than I anticipated...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography of a fascinating actress.