Ingrid Bergman My Story

I was tempted to read one of the many biographies out there depicting the life of Ingrid Bergman before I found "My Story", and I am incredibly grateful that I found her story before the others. This book shines with Ingrid's own personal voice, and in so much of the book you can clearly hear her lilting charm creeping into your brain, so familiar and real that you could almost swear she was talking to no one else in the world but you at that moment. It takes a truly gifted person to transfer that much of themselves and their life's story onto simple pages in a book. And what a story. Orphaned at a young age, she struggled with her incredible shyness throughout her childhood until she found solitude and happiness on the stage and in front of the camera. America and David O. Selznick wooed her over the Atlantic after a blossoming film career in Sweden, when several American reviewers poked humourous fun at the fact that Swedish movies of that time were rapidly becoming far superior to their American counterparts, thanks to the acting skills of one fair lady. Of course, the world knows about her now infamous illicit affair with Roberto Rossilini when she reigned in American movies with Selznick (she was comdemned on the Senate floor afterward for being so unwholesome in her choice), but her story doesn't revolve around excusing what she did. She explains the simple facts of the matter, with a bit of why, and she moves on, just as the American people did when they welcomed her back after a 7-year exile in Europe in her Oscar-winning performance as Anastasia. I don't even know how they resisted her that long, really. But her life is an incredibly invoking read, with her ability to place herself within the pages as well as her fascinating history interweaving to form an unforgettable tale. This is one book that I can assure will not be forgotten easily. As she herself said "I went from saint to [...] and back again, all in one lifetime." Not many can say that, and not many can tell it with such grace. Truly a remarkable woman.

This book answers some of the questions lingering on people's minds about Ingrid Bergman's personal life onher point of view, in her own words. From the momentI saw her on screen, I totally admired her, but whenI read this book I got to know her better.. as if shewere my close friend. She uses excellent sense of humor and makes the reading fun. From this book we can get more information aboutthe people she were related to.. some personal thoughtsthat are funny, sometimes sad. She HAD caused a major scandal once, and peoplehave doubts about her but once you read this book,you can't NOT like her~! Her voice is so full ofemotions.. humor.. sadness.. so full of life.. aswell as her photos. (That's what I thought of themoment I read this book. How well her voice in thisbook matches her photos)Wow.. I really can'tbelieve this book is out of copies because it's sucha great book that I think it should be printed out more!I recommend this book to all.

What shall I say about this book? I always enjoy autobiographies about people I like, and although I didn't know too much about Ingrid Bergman prior to reading this book, my interest in her life became stronger after finishing it. I made a list of all her movies and have been seeing them as I can get hold of them.Profound statement: Ingrid tells about her life in this book. (duh)She does a very good, coherent job, and moves along steadily. There is humour as well as sadness. I liked the part when she told David O Selznick at their first meeting that she would not wear makeup and would not change anything about her appearance, and if he didn't like it she would go back to Sweden on the next train. I personally am glad he decided she could remain as she was.I recommend this book as a good introduction to Ingrid. I enjoyed reading this very much and I think everyone should read it.

"My Story" provides an excellent insight into the tumultuous existence of Ingrid Bergman. Her interaction With David Selznick, Roberto Rosselini, and her children provide excellent reading. And in large print, too!

With "My Story," not only does one learn about Ingrid Bergman in great detail, but we gain fascinating perspective on such interesting characters as Roberto Rosselini, David Selznick, and Isabella Rosselini. Her life was always entangled with other unique characters and her story is very entertaining.