Haywire

This book was well written and very interesting. I learned so much about actors I had previously known little about. Margaret Sullavan, a lovely, talented woman, Leland Hayward, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, Peter Fonda,etc. From this book I became interested in reading more about these people and went on to read "Capote"by Truman Capote who was friends with Slim Keith,"Don't Tell Dad" by Peter Fonda. Jane Fonda's "My Life So... Read Full Review

At the reception after her sister Bridget's funeral, Brooke Hayward said to Tom Mankiewicz, "I'm the daughter of a father who's been married five times. Mother killed herself. My sister killed herself. My brother has been in a mental institution. I'm 23 and divorced with two kids." Mankiewicz replied,"Brooke, either you've got to open the window right now"--they were on the 10th floor, overlooking Park Avenue in her father's... Read Full Review

This booked touched me on so many levels. I am pleased to see it has had the same effect on others. The story is fascinating and the writing superb. I owe a debt of gratitude to Brooke. She fueled my imagination and inspired me to read many books that related to her story. Biographies about step-mother Pamela, another Mrs. Hayward's autobiography (Slim)and most recently her husband, Peter Duchin's autobiography. And... Read Full Review

I read HAYWIRE when it first was published, and I have continued to think of its sad story throughout all of the years that have followed.I found this work by Brooke Hayward to be a courageous report of the events which tore apart her family. She was the daughter of producer Leland Hayward and actress Margaret Sullavan, whose first husband was Henry Fonda. Fonda's children from his next marriage were among the Hayward children's... Read Full Review

Just before I began this review, I was listening to Ravel's "Pavane For a Dead Infanta", which is the classical piece played at Bridget Hayward's funeral in the Autumn of 1960. Her older sister's narrative of the triumphs and tragedies of her family has the beautiful solemnity of "Pavane" itself.It's like a flower that blooms, grows, and dies far too quickly, somehow never quite fulfilling its true potential, like her younger... Read Full Review