Do You like book Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade (2001)?
I've always been a fan of the Rosalind Russell film, Auntie Mame, and after recently watching the dreadfully sub-par Mame, starring Lucille Ball, I decided it was finally time to read the book and discover madcap Mame's true story for myself. This book is absolutely hilarious, hands-down one of the funniest, most charming books I've ever read. The Rosalind Russell film is a gem, but the book takes everything wonderful about the film and multiplies it about ten times over. The book is quite a bit more *cough* bohemian than what would've been allowed in a 1950's film. It isn't a straight, linear story - instead it's eleven chapters cover various episodes over the course of Patrick's life as he grows up with his rather unconventional aunt. This device helps make the book an extraordinarily fast read - as soon as one escapade is finished, you want to dive right into the next. Each episode is "framed" by Patrick reading about the "Unforgettable Character" in the Digest, prompting him to compare the Digest's Unforgettable Character with his own Auntie Mame. Patrick reminsces his way through life with Mame in the glittering Roaring Twenties, surviving the Great Depression, her marriage and widowhood, World War II, and my favorite episodes - Patrick's "punctured romance" with the snobbish Gloria Upson and Mame's "golden years" when she starts to long for Patrick to settle down and have kids. The heart of the story is Patrick's relationship with Mame - as he gets older he may get a little more frustrated with Mame's unconventional ways, but underneath it all the one thing that never changes is their love for each other. Auntie Mame is the perfect balance of laugh-out-loud comedy and heart-tugging, genuine emotional depth. HIGHLY recommended.
—Ruth
Provate a immaginare cosa vi accadrebbe se alla morte di un vostro genitore doveste ritrovarvi con una zia che non conoscete e non sapete che faccia abbia? E' proprio quello che succede a Patrick, il protagonista di questi racconti. Patrick si ritrova sballottato a New York da zia Mame, una zia eccentrica, particolare, che indossa abiti strani e che cambierà la vita di Patrick, nel bene e nel male. Mi sono divertita tantissimo a leggere le storie di questa zia che trascina il nipote a feste, balli, ingressi in società. Una zia particolare, invadente, una zia che mi sono accorta di amare, man mano che proseguivo nella lettura. Una zia, un personaggio creato da Dennis che ci invita a eplorare il nostro lato più giocoso e divertente, insegnandoci a non prenderci troppo sul serio e a prendere la vita con allegria e brio.
—Simona
This book by Patrick Dennis is about his Auntie Mame. it is based on his life with her. I have always loved the movie Auntie Mame with Rosalind Russell and I have the soundtrack from the musical with Angela Landsbury. I was curious to read the book. I guess it started out with entries to the Readers digest. soon it became a play. I enjoyed reading Patrick Dennis' book. A lot of the chapters ended up in the stage version and movie. Mame was an eccentric woman who loved life and parties. Patrick came to live with her when he was ten after his father's death. the time was 1929 just right around the stock market crash. they go from well to do, then poor with Auntie Mame tried out various jobs. soon she met Beau Burnside one of the richest men from the south. Married him was rich again. lost him but still inherited the money. we see Patrick grow up, go through various girlfriends. go through world war 2. take in some orphans{ six horrible little monsters}. I saw there was a lot in the book that ended up on stage. some of the stories were new to me. If anyone loves the Auntie Mame movie or stage play they may enjoy reading the book written by her nephew Patrick. a pretty fun read for the most part.
—Lori
