I’m Over All That:
And Other Confessions
By Shirley MacLaine
Here she is the irrepressible Shirley MacLaine and don’t jump to any conclusions when you read the title. There are a lot of things she has given up, but the guru part is still very vocal.
This is a light read, but interesting for the name dropping and the wise cracks. She hasn’t lost any opinions and she states categorically that she is not over her need to know. In only we could all hang on to that curiosity. She admits that she developed asthma during what she calls the “W” administration. She may not be alone in that.
Shirley is over being concerned about what (she) shouldn’t do.” Could we all stand to loosen up a little?
But seriously, who would you like to hear a little gossip about? Alfred Hitchcock, Mike Todd, Dean Martin and Frankie or maybe the two Jacks: Lemmon and Nicolson? They’re all here and it makes for interesting reading.
She says she’s over fear taught in the name of religion. There is a case to be made, that a fearful populace is a controllable populace, and bad stuff can happen when people are afraid. Should I be worried that Shirley is starting to make some sense to me?
This author has travelled to many countries and not all in this lifetime. She is open to understanding former lives in far off places. If this is too far out for you, it still makes a good story.
Like most of us, she has noticed a change in manners in the general populace. So she says, I’m over people who repeat themselves, when I didn’t want to hear what they said in the first place.
I think this is called getting old and difficult. It’s not always attractive, but neither is bad manners.
There are some very familiar rants here. The turkey served at Thanksgiving along with a dug-up, worn-out piece of family history, the big Pharma that sets people up for big drug bills, the sinking feeling that the world is on its last legs. Oh yes, and not being able to open anything you buy.
If you thought it was great to read about the “movie stars I have known” then you will love the section of World Leaders. This is the second bio I’ve read by a lady who thought Fidel Castro was super charming. Who knew?
So if she’s giving up lots of things, then what is she keeping? She’s 76, and in good health (because she worked at it.) She’s still acting, still travelling, and still believing in UFO’s. Her present love is a 26-pound dog; no back talk, and total loyalty.
There is a whole section on the Mayan Calendar that ends in 2012 . . . and the inside dope on what those symbols on the United States paper money mean.
This is a light and entertaining read, by one of the movie stars that never got too stuck on herself.
Peggy Freeman is a freelance writer living in Red Deer.