Judi Dench: With a Crack in Her Voice

click here for more details, find new or used items	Judi Dench New from £0.94 Used from £0.01 Pages: 320 (Paperback) ISBN: 0752826964 Pub: Orion mass market paperback Pub date: 1999-11-04 Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 559437

Editorial Review:

The book is richly anecdotal in style, and traces her career from bad notices on her debut as Ophelia at the Old Vic in 1957 ("a piece of Danish patisserie") to her Oscar nomination in 1998 for Mrs Brown. By opening her memory and her address book, Judi Dench has authorized a valuable biography, especially significant given her distaste for publicity. John Miller's pedigree is itself distinguished (he's previously collaborated on projects with Sir John Gielgud and Sir Ralph Richardson), and he breaks up the train of reminiscences refreshingly with his own diary excerpts from accompanying her on set. The writing may occasionally lack impartial critique, but this is a small quibble set against the history it assembles of a true theatre Dame with a "common touch", arguably at the peak of her powers as the narrative closes.

Reader Reviews:

It's Just Judi to her! (0/0 people found this helpful)

If I was a made a Dame like Judi Dench, I would have it everywhere but that's where we're different. The book is not a tell-all autobiography but a great biography of one of England's most recognized performers. It's only in recent years that she has become a famous actress for her roles in the movies. Despite all of her contributions to stage, film and television, Judi (I almost called her Dame Judi)is still very insecure about getting the next job as an actress. To her, she is an absolute perfectionist. She doesn't stop acting much. She regrets not having more children because I think she enjoyed that role more than any other. Her relationship with Michael Williams is also quite touching as well. It succeeded without infidelities. They had the kind of relationship that I'm looking for. Of course, the book omits when she received an O.B.E.(Officer of the British Empire) in 1970 for her services to theatre which I think was premature. She has one of Britain's highest honor as Companion of Honour (only 65 are aloud). What separates Judi from most of us is determination and drive to perfect a role and that's truly what makes a great artist. She continues to strive in making any role believable. Sometimes, I can't believe she would but she does. I don't understand why she does feel insecure about her talents. But despite everything, Judi is a lady in every sense of the word. She writes back to her fans including myself twice if you don't mind waiting about 6 months almost forgetting that you have written her in the first place. On her stationary, it reads just Judi Dench nothing about Dame, OBE, or CH and that's what makes her so amazing is her down to earth charm, love of life, and attention to detail. I haven't heard anything negative about her. I say Jay Leno is pretty similar in a way. He makes a lot of money but yet he performs 150 shows a year as a standup comic always trying to perfect his routine. I would hope Jay would bring Judi on if he hasn't already.

Warm charming and witty (3/3 people found this helpful)

I found Judi Dench to be a very interesting funny and insightful book. I was first introduced to her work by my mother of all people (so I've repaid her by buying her this book for mother's day) and have been a fan ever since. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and would highly recommend it to anyone. The use of her diary at different stages through the book is marvellous. It's just a shame that this book has not been better treated in Australia where it is impossible to get so thank you Amazon.

Similar Products

Scenes From My Life

Categories

Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories: