|
|
Post by Cate on Nov 25, 2005 13:13:29 GMT -5
Well, "knowing" the Hepburns, I doubt it offended them if they're anything like Kate's generation of Hepburns. They probably didn't even watch it! The scene in The Aviator annoys me. I have a feeling he totally fictionalized it. Surely they weren't that obnoxious, talking over each other. If they were so big on holding your own in a conversation, why would they keep interrupting? Unless you have to say something really profound in order to capture everyone's attention. It would have been wonderful to sit at the table with them. Maybe a little intimidating, but I'm sure a very enlightening experience.  |
|
|
|
Post by guesttoo on Nov 25, 2005 16:51:57 GMT -5
. . . I like how Berg didn't end the book on sad note; after telling about the day she died, he tells of a fantasy of his where he meets a young Kate..at a dance..in Philadelphia. I've read the Berg book twice, maybe it's time for a third... I thought the ending was one of the worst things about the book. To quote Robert Gottlieb in his New York Times article about the book: ". . . . Apart from the astonishment that if someone actually had this daydream, he wouldn't be too mortified to share it, what registers most sharply is that the first word of Berg's book is "I've" and the last is "me." |
|
|
|
Post by Shaun on Nov 25, 2005 17:30:50 GMT -5
I found nothing wrong with the ending. If you browse this site a bit, you'll find that we all have our own Kate fantasies, which isn't the least bit mortifying. Berg's conclusion just further cemented his admiration and infatuation with Kate, something all of her fans share. Overall I thought it was a great ending for a great book.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cate on Nov 25, 2005 17:57:16 GMT -5
Who is guesttoo anyway? Berg is referring to the time when Kate didn't even remember who Berg was and said she met him at a dance... If I remember correctly, guesttoo only posts when books are mentioned. Are you a critic? Who cares what Gottlieb thinks?
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Nov 26, 2005 0:34:18 GMT -5
To Shaun:
I also liked that little fantasy ending that Berg included. By the time I read the ending I was in tears because for anyone who loves Kate, seeing her life end was terribly sad. Didn't matter that she was 96 and had lived a long life. Just terribly sad to know that such a vibrant person was gone.
I think Berg gave us a little gift with his fantasy. He realized how sad her death was for the reader so he added his fantasy and left us with an image of an eternally young, beautiful Kate in a white gown at a dance on the Main Line. Nothing wrong with a bit of fantasy especially if it helps to shield us from some of the pain that life dishes out.
|
|
|
|
Post by karina on Nov 26, 2005 8:34:47 GMT -5
Here, here Sherry - it's a sorry state of affairs if we can't have our dreams & fantasies.
|
|
|
|
Post by smith on Nov 26, 2005 20:17:44 GMT -5
I think the scene was a total slander of the Hepburn family . The family did like to share their ideas and they apparently did all talk at once but Kit Hepburn by all accounts was a gracious hostess . The fact that Howard in real life didn't fit in was probably more due to the fact that he was uncomfortable with strangers and didn't really have any family life of his own - he wouldn't been able to relate to it - Katharine mentioned this in the Berg biography .
|
|
|
|
Post by Judy on Nov 26, 2005 20:37:29 GMT -5
I agree. I think the Hepburns were "used" in the film for comic effect. Like it was a scene out of "You Can't Take It With You."
We were supposed to think of KH as snooty and were supposed to see where all that came from.
As Smith points out, it wasn't the talking all at once that was the problem. Kate's said that they did, as have others. It was the way they were made to appear:
Dr. Hepburn was a sort of dunce. Mrs. Hepburn was an arrogant snob. Luddy was a silly lapdog. And they were all made to look as if they were from the uppah clahss and old money - which, though a case could be made for Kit (a flimsy one, though), could not have been further from the truth.
Judy
|
|
kathfan88
Full Member
Kate Hepburn... nuff said.
Posts: 238
|
Post by kathfan88 on Jan 20, 2006 14:06:42 GMT -5
Oh I loved the ending to this book, it so sweet, a good end to a great story and friendship.
|
|
KateLover
New Member
I am addicted to Kate
Posts: 5
|
Post by KateLover on Aug 6, 2006 8:37:19 GMT -5
I just LOOOOVED Berg's book!!!!  of course it is very subjective and he probably left out a lot.. but while reading I all the time felt like being part of their conversations and experiences, either as berg himself or as a silent observer!!! I love the way he describes everything, I had the feeling as if kate was right there! I learnt so many things about her, her life, her career, I didn't know yet. I also liked how berg brings Old Hollywood back to the reader and one also feels like being part of it. And although I knew how it would end, I had to cry.   - but I quite liked the vision or image of kate he leaves you with. I enjoyed the book very much and can't wait to read it again. He should do another one!!! He must have plenty of material to tell!!! |
|
|
|
Post by Cate on Aug 6, 2006 13:34:00 GMT -5
I agree with you completely Every time I have read it I end up sobbing at the end. |
|
Kama
Full Member
Posts: 193
|
Post by Kama on Jan 27, 2007 7:31:50 GMT -5
About Berg's book... Well, I have it of course. I think it's the only Kate's biography translated into Polish. I'm afraid, we aren't "crazy-about- Kate" nation.
And I love some parts of this book. I can't quote (have Polish edition), but for example:
“Oh, I’m endlessly fascinating,” parcheesi, Kate's explanation, why she has no children, many jokes (these about Phyllis are great), stories about work on sets, part when Berg's playing song from Coco, Michael Jackson's part (love it, I almost see Kate face when I read it and laugh out loud!), Kate's opinon about people (especially Beatty - in love "with the same man" and Olivier) and so on. What's more, Berg is a really good writer. He can amuse and move to tears. He's intelligent and he could talk with Kate (I'm sure it was huge challenge).
But (and it's big "but") I don't like some things. Spmetimes I have impression it's book about "Old, helpless actress and her hero - Mr. Berg". There is too much Berg and too little Katharine Hepburn.
In conclusion: "Kate Rememberd" is great book... when Berg remembers Kate and let her talk.
|
|
|
|
Post by fenwick on Sept 30, 2007 21:34:07 GMT -5
Like this book alot. It was a present from my daughter. Who knows how much I like Kate. Enjoy reading over again,every once in awhile.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tracy Lord on Oct 9, 2007 16:43:29 GMT -5
I was going to get this book at my library yesterday but it was closed.
the aviator bothered me. the whole movie seemed so exagerrated.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shaun on Oct 9, 2007 19:04:19 GMT -5
Yes the AVIATOR was erroneous. Kate never went to premieres and certainly not as arm candy!
|
|
- but I quite liked the vision or image of kate he leaves you with. 
In order to login - click at the upper right corner - use your name from the board and your password and it should be all right. If not - please let me know and I will try to help!