- Title: Me Stories of My Life
- Author: Katharine Hepburn
- Year Published: 1991 (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.)
- Year Purchased: Summer of 2010
- Source: My momma
- About: Dear Kate: You were such an iconoclast. I know, I know; what an over-used word. I’m not proud of trotting out something so stale, especially in reference to
English: Photograph of the actress Katharine Hepburn in the 1932 play The Warrior’s Husband. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
someone as amazing as you were. Really, though, what choice do I have? What else is there? Rebel, nonpareil, maverick? Nonconformist, idol, icon? Legend, paragon, nonesuch? They’re all too pale, weak, humourless. You were too kick-ass to be so neatly boxed-in, anyway. Now let’s get to business. Your acting? Wonderful, of course. It was nice to read behind-the-scenes anecdotes told from your venerable perspective. They seemed more genuine coming from you, even though one person, however honest, cannot possibly tell a full truth. Your truth, though, was fascinating. The convictions you stood by in living your life exactly the way you pleased have stayed with me since I first read your autobiography back in high school. Your posh New England nerviness never came across as brash or rude or egotistical, but as real and as necessary as air. This thing called life is a kick, and you knew it; your autobiography is full of it, chock-full, told in conversational tones. To the point. You had character. Big character. Deep character. Thanks for sharing it with us in Me. Love, Maedez. PS-Your style: sublime. Timeless. A road map to the land of looking effortlessly chic. PPS-I read the entire book with your voice ringing though my head.
- Motivation: Kate! Katharine! Miss Hepburn!
- Times Read: 2
- Random Excerpt/Page 21: “Brought up on the midst of all this, Tom and I were used to being in parades and we were used to being well snubbed in the most subtle sense of the word. But then, of course, the snubs ended and we were praised and regarded as being the children of very forward-looking parents. So not only did we look up to our parents but also we soon realized that we were the product of two very remarkable ones.”
- Happiness Scale: 9
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea.
Not just a blog, a philosophy
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
My mother, who has nothing but disdain for celebrity memoirs (don’t ask), has had this book in her personal library for about 15 years. And has read it twice.
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It is an excellent book, as far as these things go. Reading it is like what one imagines a conversation with her was probably like: brisk, fascinating, and to the point. No fluff. It’s great.
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She was a goddess. One of my favorite actresses of all-time. So talented and such an underrated comedian. There was a film partner for this book that was included on the dvd for The Philadelphia Story. Check out my review for that classic http://amandalovesmovies.com/2012/07/27/the-philadelphia-story
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Yes, she is one of the few people whose character does not shrink before the terms “goddess” or “legend.” Excellent review. Thanks so much for sharing. I probably watch The Philadelphia Story twice a year, so it is a subject close to my heart. I have written professionally on classic cinema for ten years and have never reviewed the film. This is also the first time I’ve covered KH in any way. Odd, now that I think about it.
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Your letter to her is fabulous! 😀
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Thanks! I felt like doing a different spin with this review. A letter seemed like a natural fit; I’m glad it worked.
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There will never be another Katharine Hepburn. And what a fabulous picture, so young and already a force to be reckoned with. Love her.
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She was amazing, wasn’t she? I’ve always loved that photo, for the fierceness and fearlessness she embodies!
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