Notes from March 2016 group

This Time Together Laughter and Reflection by Carol Burnett – Discussed on Wed. March 2, 2016 at Geneseo Public Library

                                                                                                       

Carol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. The Carol Burnett Show was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run. Now, in This Time Together, Carol really lets her hair down and tells one funny or touching or memorable story after another – reading it feels like sitting down with an old friend who has wonderful tales to tell.

In engaging anecdotes, Carol discusses her remarkable friendships with stars such at Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, and Julie Andrews; the background behind famous scenes, like the moment she swept down the stairs in her curtain-rod dress in the legendary “Went With the Wind” skit; and things that would happen only to Carol – the prank with Julie Andrews that went wrong in front of the First Lady; the famous Tarzan Yell that saved her during a mugging; and the time she faked a wooden leg to get served in a famous ice cream emporium. This poignant look back allows us to cry with the actress during her sorrows, rejoice in her successes, and finally, always, to laugh.

This was a fun, quick reading book.  It was the story of Carol Burnett’s adult life – her jobs, successes and failures, family life etc.  We admired Carol’s determination to meet her job goals.  She was always positive and surrounded herself with a good team of people for her shows.   We also found it interesting how nervous she got before meeting certain famous people and some other personality traits.  She seems to be a very down to earth person.  Everyone enjoyed this good book.