Kate Remembered

[Tracy Lord]

I just got this book from the Library! I can't wait to read it.

[Tracy Lord]

Just finished this book! I loved it, I teared up when I read the last chapter Queen Anne's Lace. Great book.

[Hep]

Im reading this book now, and its awesome.
I love the beginning about his first trip to Fenwick. The way he describes how he got there was exactly how I did lol. Then I asked my dad if we could go back he said YES !
Oh shes great though. Phyllis too. When she wins parcheesi and shes so excited she totally tunes out Kate abusing poor Berg cause hes an "idiot" for losing. Great book.

[Hep]

just finished the book 5 minutes ago.
I LOVED IT.
really sad at the end though.
i didnt think id cry like that -but wow.
go Berg ;D

[Tracy Lord]

yeah this book is amazing, and don't worry i teared up at the end as well even though i knew how it would end, i have to reread this again sometime soon, its fantastic.

[Alicia]

I just found a copy of this book at the used book store- only $7 and in perfect condition, too! Score!
I'm about halfway through it. I have been reading it all day and I simply cannot put it down. Even at Christmas Eve dinner, my family kept yelling at me stop reading at the table. And dragging me away to go to church after was another story... But anyway, so far it is wonderful; I think Berg is an excellent writer. He's witty and isn't at all afraid to share the many times he made a fool of himself to really bring out Kate's true character-- the purpose of his book. After reading everyone's posts, I am afraid to reach the end of the book. Well, that, and because I really am enjoying it!

As for the Aviator which was previously mentioned in this thread: I agree with what someone mentioned about how the Hepburns were sort of being used. Because the focus of the movie was on Hughes, I thought the intent was to show how unstable he was, as well as his inability to cope with the situation presented. Hepburns aside, I felt that the scene was brilliantly filmed to convey how Hughes felt, not to give a precise account of the Hepburns. Of course it still bugs me that it is an incorrect portrayal and that it was largely exaggerated, but I understand it's purpose and I think it serves it well.

[gottamatch]

I just purchased this from my local second hand book store for $5 in perfect condition! Can't wait to read it.

I wasn't going to read this thread in fear of the ending being given away (which it was lol) but it's good because I'll know to beware of tears in the last chapter!

As for The Aviator comments, I have not seen it and will not give the company or actors the dignity of my royalties if it makes a mochery of the Hepburn's. I think I'll just go without

Jess

[charliesgirl7681]

I just finished this book (FINALLY) about an hour ago.

I really enjoyed Berg's writing style he really has a way with words. He incorporated so much of old hollywood in the book and IMO that was what really enhanced the overall material. There is one point though when he went off talking about Irene, for about 20 pages Kate disappeared I kind of forgot that it was a KH bio. He tells some great stories about how this amazing woman takes him under her wing and shows him the world through her eyes.

The end of the book was a bit uncomfortable for me to read. I know he wanted to show Kate up till the end but it was still hard. It was difficult to see this woman who was so full of life slowly deteriorate. The parts about her breaking down and crying were also tough. I found solace by going back and rereading the first chapter when Berg gets yelled at to go to the bathroom. I found myself laughing a lot while reading Kate's dry wit. It was something Berg showed us readers a lot.

This is a MUST READ for any Kate fan...for any Old Hollywood fan. I thought it was an amazing tribute to Hepburn.



Anyone know if Cynthia is going to be writing a book?

[Signe]

Gosh, I love this topic ! It's so great to see so many different opinions about this book. I finished reading it the first time about a month ago, so I guess it's about time I leave a comment in here

First of all, this was the first biography of Kate that I read, other than her own "Me", and since I am/was a new fan of Kate, I didn't know much about her, other than what she had told herself, through "Me" and her documentary "All About Me", and even though we must assume that the autobiography is our truest source, it never tells the stories it doesn't want us to know... If you know what I mean ? So it was interesting to see her through other eyes.

I have to say, that I loved the book! I really did! To me it seemed like a nice and caring tribute to one friend from another, since the anecdotes and stories were heartwarming, funny and very much true to Kate the person. I agree with many of you who said that you feel like you are in the room with them, when he tells of their nights together, or trips to Fenwick or whatsoever. You can totally see it in your mind, and I think he maneged to capture Kate's spirit very well ! I especially loved the Michael Jackson story and the beginning of course ! ;D Yeah, it made me laugh out loud a lot of times, ha ha.

But as you also said, there were stories, particularly in the end, which were heartbreaking and hard to imagine. Being a very new fan, I had NO idea that Kate was so sick in the end, and I remember being completely shocked to read about it. I simply could not believe that Katharine Hepburn, that intelligent, fast, extremal healthy person could break down like that. It was like, my entire image of her was fading. The stories about Berg feeding her and talking to her, without her answering and the hospital story where she starts crying because they've called her a drunk are just too hard to get through. I already started crying there. I just can't bare the thought of Kate being in pain, in ANY kind of pain

So as you can see, the book made me both laugh and cry, and that's the first time a book has had such an effect on me, so that's gotta be a good sign I think some of you have mentioned too, that the way Berg puts himself in the hero part is very - . I mean, I don't think he does it intentionally, but one do get the feeling that she "couldn't live without him"!! and I don't think that was the case at all... But that's the feeling one gets and I think, that if very new fans, or people who didn't know much about Kate before Berg's book, reads this, they will get the feeling that he was really Kate's Saviour

The ending is like you have all agreed on, probably one of the best endings EVER ! I LOVE that he ends it that way, and doesn't dwell on her illness in the end. And the fact that it was the late 20's he imagined just makes it even better. It gives us that eternal picture of Kate as she was to the bone - young, outspoken, selfcouncious, sure of herself and extremely beautiful !

[charliesgirl7681]

But as you also said, there were stories, particularly in the end, which were heartbreaking and hard to imagine. Being a very new fan, I had NO idea that Kate was so sick in the end, and I remember being completely shocked to read about it. I simply could not believe that Katharine Hepburn, that intelligent, fast, extremal healthy person could break down like that. It was like, my entire image of her was fading.

I remember reading the part where she takes the chocolates and turns them over. That was so heartbreaking. This woman was so full of life and it was hard to picture her ever slowing down. I'm in the same boat as you, I'm new and still learning.

[Signe]

Gosh, I know what you mean ! It's just too hard to read about ! But then again, I think he treats it fairly enough - he dosn't make it ugly or.. well, you know what I mean ? I think it's obvious that he respected her all through her life

[lisa]

Hi,hope someone can help,in kate remembered near the start of book when author is looking round house he goes into bathroom and mentions there was a jar of face cleanser or cream,could someone please tell me what it was,a friend at work wants to know,i have lent my copy to a friend so i cant look throught it. lisa

[martha]

hello lisa!

i haven't had the occasion to leaf through this volume since i read it when it was first published. thanks for the excuse to pull it down off my shelves.

perhaps you're recalling this passage. p. 24

"She led me into the bathroom, one unimaginably crude for a move star. An old freestanding sink with two taps; a small tub with a big, plain showerhead hanging directly overhead, not protruding on an angle from the wall; some drawers and shelves with pictures of family and Spencer Tracy; threadbare towels; Colgate Tooth Powder; Abolene face cream ... "

Funny, i must have thought this same thought when i first read those sentences -- my mother used to use that brand of tooth powder. it was minty flavored and came in a tin . you would shake some into your palm and press a damp toothbrush into it .. it would suds up when you brushed. Just a little memory there. So it might have been the Abolene face cream you were trying to remember ...

[moonriver]

I´m reading this book now too. I began it in Octuber but I meet these page where Kate dessapear and I was boring. Now, I have returned reader and I will arrive to the end. Very diferent, "Me" was read for me in one week (sorry, but spanish speaker use the pasive voice much)

In Spain, this book is in pocked edition and it called "Recordando a Kate".
I love the aventure of writer in Fenwick. It is very funny.

¡Quítese los pantalones!-Me gritó Katharine Hepburn cuando me encontraba en el vestíbulo de Fenwick. cap.IV

[lisa]

Thank you so much Martha,I can let my friend at work now.