book review: "in Pieces"...

... a memoir by Sally Field, published in 2018. I heard a review on public radio, some time ago, that must have been the author talking about it soon after it came out, in the way that writers feel they are forced to 'do the circuit' when their books are published. Meet-and-greets, readings, signings at Barnes and Noble to push the product when their editors line up lots of opportunities for readers to have an 'in person' experience with authors.

She had an interesting life in film and television. Starting with 'Gidget' on the beaches of SoCal, and the nun who has the ability to take to the air. Then there was another made-for-TV series when she was a young woman who has ESP, scripts written to give inside info. similar to what she might have known, as per scripted stories from her experience in the convent with a direct line to heaven.

Her home life was fraught: mom divorced, raising Sally and an older brother. She then married a man who started out in acting as a stunt man. He became well known, and eventually cast in a Western series.  Chaotic family life, with drinking, fighting, shouting at night, plus the man was a molester. Much to hide from, things overlooked, or ignored for many years. Plenty of opportunity for dysfunction, with ongoing therapy over most of her lifetime.

She was won an award for "Sybil," as a young woman with mental illness in a movie made with Joanne Woodward. Then made a number of light, silly movies with people like Burt Reynolds, who was dysfunction personified if we believe the  version in this book. She has been acclaimed for her body of work, most recently as Mary Todd Lincoln in the movie starring Daniel Day Lewis. A stalwart in the film industry, and highly respected for her accomplishments, though put through the mill as a female actor as were many from the era.

I enjoyed the book, even though it took me several weeks to finish, having to re-check from the library a couple of times. Well written as she kept voluminous journals over the years of her acting career, and was able to provide interesting details from years ago. Some pretty damning evidence at the end as she had conversations with her mother about the step-father and experiences of her youth, but probably not nearly as uncommon as you would like to believe.