Books about Helen Mirren
A few books have been written about Helen Mirren. Here is what we think of them and links to buy them.FIn the Frame
The book, published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 2007 can be ordered from Amazon.com among other places.
Publisher's synopsis:
This delightful memoir starts with contents of the trunk, with evocative pictures of Helen's Russian antecedents. She has kept a rich seam of photographs and memorabilia from her life, and her parents, family life, childhood, teenage and early years as an actress living in insalubrious flats are vividly documented. Helen's many distinguished roles in theatre, cinema and television and the illustrious men and women she has encountered are commemorated, as well as her forays into Hollywood and her subsequent life in the US with her husband, film director Taylor Hackford. Golden Globe and Oscar ceremonies make their appearance, as do many stunning images of Helen by the world's leading photographers.
ISBN: 9780297851974
Amy Rennart's book Prime Suspect
The HMAS recommends this book, full of photos and inside information, a wonderful, in-depth interview with Helen and essays by a variety of critics and friends. The book was published after Prime Suspect 3 so it doesn't include the later episodes. Still we'd call it a must for any Helen Mirren fan.
Ivan Waterson's biography
This review from Amazon.com sums up the general consensus of the HMAS:
Truly amateurish biography, April 1, 2007
By D. Noel "filmscholar"
The greatest actress in the world deserves a masterpiece of a biography-and this book is no masterpiece. Aside from many inaccuracies, it's weirdly short on information about it's subject. Entire sections are about other people (eg. the inspriration for Jane Tennison-interesting, but not appropriate in a book about someone else!) The author seems to be trying desperately to fill his book, and too much of it is useless information. A real disappointment. While I collect every movie and item I can get my hands on that has Helen Mirren in it, not even I would buy this book (thankfully I found it at my library). Any pertinent information it contains can be found easily on the internet. I hope a good writer out there is planning on honoring this divine woman with a stellar biography. It's long overdue.
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