The one thing I have managed to do, during winter break, is read a book or two.
I finished the book that I started on the train trip over to Oswego, on the flight back to Los Angeles. Probably the longest I have ever taken to read a book. Almost 5 months. Seriously, when I say I had no time to myself during the semester, I was not joking.
My boss gave me a Christmas gift in 2012 and I finally got to read it. It is a book about Barbra Streisand's first 4 years of trying to make it in show biz. Going from a high school kid in Brooklyn, to her starring in "Funny Girl" on Broadway. It was just a short 4 years of her life.
I would not say I am a big fan of hers, but as I read the book, the music from Funny Girl kept running through my head. Especially "Don't Rain On My Parade" and "People". I remember seeing the movie at (I think) The Syosset Theater on Jericho Turnpike (Long Island). A very nice theater that I saw "Gone with the Wind" and "The Sound of Music" at.
The book draws you into her life. I found that Barbra's feelings of abandonment, in regard to her Mother, are totally wrong. Her Mother, Diana, would schlep all the way to Manhattan, to bring her daughter soup! What mother who does not care about their child, would do that, for years!
Other than that, I found the book interesting. I came away with less respect for Barbra, then I had going in. I will leave it to the readers in the future, to form their own opinions, in regard to that.
Do I recommend reading it, definitely yes.
A piece of the song, "Don't Rain On My Parade"
I'm gonna live and live now
Get what I want, I know how
One roll for the whole she-bang
One throw, that bell will go clang
Eye on the target and wham
One shot, one gun shot, and bam
Hey, Mister Arnstein, here I am
I'll march my band out, I will beat my drum
And if I'm fanned out, your turn at bat, sir
At least I didn't fake it, hat, sir
Guess I didn't make it
Get ready for me, love 'cause I'm a comer
I simply gotta march, my heart's a drummer
No,nobody, no, nobody, is ever gonna rain on my parade
Truthfully, as far as Barbara goes I never cared one was or another, wanting to read the book, I really have no interest, sorry :-)
ReplyDeleteI found it of interest, even though I did not buy it...so that says something.
ReplyDelete