In Pieces

Sally Field's autobiography reminds me of an incident from my life which recently occurred, so there must be something universally appealing about her personal narrative, unless you're more interested in knowing the intimate details and finer points of pursuing an acting career in television and the motion picture industry. There's a considerable amount of information about that topic in her book, In Pieces, as well. I saw my former sister-in-law in the Walmart parking lot around the Xmas holidays, loading groceries into the trunk of her sedan, and asked her how the young, skinny niece and her family is doing. She has four children, ages 3 to 13. Their family lives over by the lake, so I don't see them very often. Her husband frequently travels half-way across the state to Oklahoma City on poultry business. She works a full-time job herself, for some HHS entity. It beats heaving watermelons for a living. Raquel told me, "I don't know how she does it." They're deeply religious, god-fearing, and they pray, I thought, but didn't say so out loud. Their prayers are answered, because they persevere, I believe. But, saying so might be construed as being too intrusive into their personal lives on my part. Instead, I said, "She's a hard worker. Both parents are. They mean well, and only want to do what's best for their family." I wanted to leave it at that. She continued, "Oh, Darlene and Kevinski will do just fine, now that they're both out of the military, and back home from Afghanistan." I said, "They'll be okay as long as you're around to help baby-sit, and watch out for them. Incidentally, I drove by your mom's house to drop off some silk-screen T-shirts and dishes--tea cups and saucers, but no one was home." She confided in me, "Mom's moved in with my sister. She caught the flu, so Abigail's been feeding her chicken soup until she can get her strength back. She's 93 years old, you know." "Very well," I said. I'd better get back to the house and check in on my own mother. She gets crazy as a loon when there's a full moon out. She's been that way all her life. Her fourth live-in companion had to go to a rest-home. He was falling down on the job all the time. And he wrecked his automobile. She said she can't take care of him anymore. When I asked her if she misses him, she gave me a blank stare and asked 'Who?' I figured, she isn't getting any younger herself. Good thing Jeannie checks in on her practically every day. She has 'Meals on Wheels,' so at least she won't go hungry. Or freeze. She's got plenty of heat where she lives. I sold my house in North Texas recently and moved to Joplin to be closer to family--without being too close. Stuck in that big old apartment house, I would be afraid of going stark raving mad, like the strange character in that movie, 'Psycho.'" To tell you the truth, I didn't take Sally Field very seriously as a "starving artist." The author does prove her point that pursuing a career in television while raising three children can prove most challenging. Despite that, the photographs in the book, spanning six or seven decades, show what a wonderful family she has and depict what an incredible life she's lived so far. I fully expected that Sally would be charming, appealing, witty, funny, and wholesome in real life--like a cool glass of farm-fresh milk on a summer day. The book reveals the life and times of a modern television celebrity who expected more out of life and got it. I imagine Ms. Field standing before "Brittany Spears" and "Hannah Montana" as a film director one day, stating unequivocally "You want a part that you can sink your teeth into," concluding their conversation with the fact that she has no intention whatsoever of "preaching to the choir." Reflecting back in time, I think of other actresses who have "made it" in the business. Perhaps Sally Field may not have been as drop-dead gorgeous or nearly as glamorous as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Gina Lollobrigida, and Brigit Bardot in their day, but times have changed. People have changed considerably, too. Noticeably so. Then again, they still say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." We've all experienced more of the world, and our perception of the universe has been rapidly expanding ever since. Yet, we can truIy admit in all fairness that we have never seen Sally playing the role of a Tuesday Weld, Patty Duke, Ann Margaret, Heather Locklear, Jennifer Anniston, or Charlise Theron clone look-alike, candy-striper, Elvis impersonator. The aspiring actress in situation comedy and slapstick had taken on more meaningful, dramatic roles. Totally unique in her approach, possessing a one-of-a-kind personality, Sally will always have her own special place in our hearts for the movie magic she has created before our very eyes, over the years. Why did I read the book? Honestly, I was curious to know if Sally Field had been exploited as a movie actress like all the rest in the "me too movement." But mostly, I wondered if she had anything terribly derogatory to say about Burt Reynolds. While he had already built a large fan base previously in his career, Sally must have doubled it when she became his co-star. No doubt, they became critically-acclaimed super-stars from the collaboration. R. Royce sat on the sofa looking over a stack of passports. "Joaquin Garcia" and "Alejandro Nunez," he read. He knew they would be traveling to Juarez soon, across the border from El Paso, but he didn't think they'd be carrying false identification documents when they did so. "What do you think?" asked Cornelius Korn, his long-time friend and business associate. "You look like one tough hombre, in your photo." "Fine. You look as distinguished as ever in yours," said Royce. "As trustworthy as Benjamin Franklin on a crisp, newly printed bill." "We'll be carrying more than a hundred dollars on this trip," said Korn, a matter of fact. He held up a worn, weathered, tanned-leather satchel that looked like it might have been attached to some cowboy's saddle bags from before the Civil War. Probably Jesse James'. "What's the plan?" asked Royce. His curiosity had obviously gotten the better of him. He knew that they were going to a bull-fight as spectators, but wasn't quite aware of anything else on the agenda. "First thing off the bat, we're going to make a sizable deposit into the Mercantile Bank in Juarez," said Korn. "Next, we'll meet our contact at a nice restaurant nearby. We'll enjoy a pleasant meal with lively conversation and a mariachi band for entertainment. We'll leave the waiter a big tip. I'll give Santa Ana Montoya a certified check as a deposit. Then we'll go to the bull-fights for the rip-roaring, cultural experience of a lifetime all taking place on the single, solitary, warm, sunny afternoon that can only be described as Cinco de Mayo." "I can deal with the culture shock of fireworks and Mexican Independence," said Royce, in confidence. When do we get the goods?" "When Santa Ana exchanges our saddle bags for his," said Korn. "What could be easier? The password of the day is 'simplification,' without complications." "Joaquin. Alejandro. Vamanos!" shouted Meghan Thomas, repeating the immortal words from the large, silver screen of the magnificent Zorro. She was their chauffeur, already in the limousine driver's seat, projecting her voice, and insistently honking the horn. "Let's go to town." Having driven them to their destination, she would park nearby and blend in with the woodwork and scenery, while her two taxi occupants completed their financial transaction. She kept the meter running, as they say. Meghan is Royce's live-in companion and their long-time business associate. If necessary, she would help bring the deal to an agreeable conclusion, most beneficial to either one party or both parties, depending on favorable circumstances. In a follow-on vehicle was the tightly knit group's fourth business associate, Alexis Sue Shell. She was also casually known as Korn's significant other. She slid a compact disk into the music player on the dash of the flashy Mustang as she drove. "What's that background sound?" asked Korn, who'd connected to her via his cell phone. She represented solid insurance. "An old stand-by favorite of yours, 'Herb Albert and the Tiajuana Brass,'" said Alexis. "first selection, 'Lonely Bull,' followed by 'Never on Sunday,' then 'A Taste of Honey,' and finally 'South of the Border.'" "How appropriate," commented Meghan. "Are you choreographing this Broadway play?" The transaction went very smoothly, better than anyone had anticipated. The generous businessmen had tossed in a couple of kilo-size, porous, gray rock samples, which happened to be chock-full of gem-quality emeralds, and a velvet bag full of sparkling rubies. Freebies. A sign of good faith. Back in the living room at one of their hotel suites in El Paso, they divided the loot evenly. The next day, the vacationing couples drove their two vehicles on separate paths in different directions, like bank robbers avoiding a posse in hot pursuit across the burning sands, mesas, and sparsely populated badlands of New Mexico. "It turns out," said R. Royce, "the 'Treasure of the Sierra Madre' was more valuable than gold." "You've proved once again, that a good mechanic is worth his weight in platinum," replied Meghan, as he poured some liquid from a gallon jug into the radiator of their automobile, the motor still running to prevent the water pump from cooling down too rapidly and cracking the housing, or a rubber hose from leaking.

The book for me grew in fondness. I hated what she had to endure with her stepfather. Wasn't really interested in her "Gidget" or "Flying Nun" recollections (although I remember watching both as a child). But then after that era, the richness of the story and her relationships deepened. Most profoundly, she honors her mother with her honesty about their relationship. The relationship with her mother appears to be the most important of her life. I can relate. How she characterized their relationship at the end of the book was so moving. Sally, I am sure Baa will come get you when the time is right. Blessings to you both...and thank you.

Some books are more difficult to review than others, and I found this book hard to put in a box that I could easily talk about. The writing is beautiful and very well done, and I found myself not wanting to put aside this book that I found mostly very sad and I am not good at finishing depressing stories. Maybe I finished it because I know in the end it’s a triumph, since Ms. Fields is such an accomplished actress. Or was it possibly because I wanted the sad little girl who spent so much time with so little love to find a loving home in the end.If you like Sally Field and you enjoy autobiographys, this one was beautifully done from her childhood separation from her father in a house full of female relatives until her adult life in her 60s. It covered her acting career, romantic relationships and her complicated relationship with her mother that affected her entire life. Ms. Fields is definitely a personality worthy of her deep introspection of our ongoing interest. She’s intelligent and never flinched from her own self criticism and maybe there’s something useful for all of us in that deep psychological dive. This was definitely a five star read from a novice writer.

Before proceeding with this review, I want to share this:“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” - Thomas JeffersonDemakis, Joseph. The Ultimate Book of Quotations (p. 506). Unknown. Kindle Edition.Why did I use the above quote? Well, the word honesty sums up my reaction after reading (and listening) to Sally Field share her life with us, the word honesty comes to mind, front and center.Let me interject this: I got this book largely because the star of Gidget was my standard for gauging every woman I dated. Yes, I realize how naiive and chauvinistic this sounds. But it is honest.See, even though Gidget lasted only a year, I fell just as in love with that actress as my older brother loved Annette Funicello. Funny thing is, Ms. Funicello really was the wholesome, God-loving angel she came across as, while Ms. Field was more identical to Sybil, the fictional character she starred as. THAT is the beauty and worth of Fields’ autobiography, “In Pieces.”BLUSH FACTOR: Be forewarned, you will not be wanting to read this to your prayer group due to the number of f-words and honest language. I do heartily recommend discussing it with others though, especially in AA or similar settings. Note also there is frank discussion of child abuse she suffered and other similar issues. As I stated, you probably will not want to read this aloud to young ears.Despite, or perhaps because of, my learning who the real Sally Field was, I loved this book. I woke up early to download it today and read it for an hour or so. Then, went back to sleep. Then resumed reading, and listening to the Audible edition as I readied for, and drove to work. This is THAT engaging.ExcerptTo avoid any spoilers, I have kept this excerpt extremely short.‘…But I wanted to be a child—and yet.I’m naked. How did I get naked? Did I do that? Did he? He pulled the plastic bags off the dry cleaning that hung in the closet with the sliding doors, the sliding doors with big mirrors on them. He wraps the plastic bags around me—just so. Through my legs, around my chest. He lays me down on the white shag carpeting in the big bathroom and gets into the adjacent shower.“Okay, Doodle, let me see. Move.”The merengue. I am learning to do the merengue. The dance he showed me one night in the den with everyone watching as he instructed. I practiced in the den and now I’m practicing here.“Come on, let me see.”I push my face down into the carpet that smells of dust, trying hard to thrust my butt high in the air and down and side to side. I want to be good, but more than anything I want it to be over. And some part of me feels I’m in danger. I hold my face deep in the shag. Hide in the carpet. Not to be at all anymore—and yet. And yet…This man’s focus is totally on me; at this moment, I’ve won him. I am flypaper, the sweet sticky temptation, and he’s caught…’Field, Sally. In Pieces (Kindle Locations 838-847). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.BOTTOM LINEA definite eye-opener. Five stars. Do yourself a favor and buy add the Audible edition to your purchase. This autobiography is beautiful, sometimes hilarious, and haunting all at the same time.Five stars out of five.I am striving to produce reviews that help you find books that you want, or avoid books that you wish to avoid. With your help, my improvement will help you and me improve book reviews on Amazon. Together, you and I can build a great customer review process that helps everybody. Will you join me? It is people such as you who have helped me improve over the years. I'm still learning, and I have a great deal yet to learn. With your help, I'll improve every day.One request: Be respectful and courteous in your comments and emails to me. I will do likewise with you.Thank you so much for indicating if this review helped you, or for your comment.

Simplesmente amei! Sempre fui fã da Sally, desde quando eu era criança, ao assistir filmes como "Norma Rae" e "Nunca sem minha filha". A admiração só aumentou ao vê-la, durante anos, na série "Brothers and Sisters". Apesar de fã do trabalho, sempre soube pouco à respeito da sua vida pessoal e esse livro me surpreendeu muito nesse quesito! Sally conta histórias que eu jamais teria imaginado, traumas de infância e situações muito difíceis narradas com muita lucidez. Livro emocionante, engraçado, triste, empoderador, tudo junto e misturado.

Extremely well written. A gripping emotional roller coaster of a life story. Sally Field opens up her heart and her life in all its raw detail. Sad, emotional, funny and everthing in between. I couldn't put it down.

Parfait

Al abrir el paquete llego el libro sin un recubrimiento, como papel celofán, y esta un poco sucio de las pastas. Y como es para regalo. Ya no me día tiempo para remplazar.

"Rats' feet on broken glass" is how Sally Field describes the atmosphere in her home during the year she was filming Gidget.This memoir is authentic, raw, amazing, shocking and inspiring and I could not put it down. The common saying 'that you never really know what another person is experiencing nor what they've been through so ... be kind" surfaced in my mind over and over again while reading "In Pieces".One could assume that the telling of the raw sexual abuse Sally experienced may have been encouraged by the ME TOO movement. Not so as it took her many years to write it. The gut feeling Sally had as a child each time she was about to be victimized is described as "fingernails down the blackboard". It is chilling.I can't help but wonder how Sally's life would have turned out had she "told someone". I am not hopeful.The book opens with the telling of how her female ancestors were also victims of social cultural judgement in different but heartbreaking ways.The quality of writing is impressive and the extent of naked honesty is rare and a gift to all that read this book.