Call Me Anna: The Autobiography Of Patty Duke (1988) - Plot & Excerpts
Oh boy, talk about a life filled with turmoil! Really made me appreciate the non-craziness of my life. Patty/Anna had a rough childhood. Rough! Ok, not Tatum O'Neal rough, but still bad. Her adult life wasn't much better since she was bipolar but not diagnosed until she was nearly 40. That's a long time to have manic episodes. I am actually impressed she managed a career at all, considering all the bridges she burned over the years. Everyone in Hollywood thought she had a drug problem. Maybe that actually worked in her favor since that is a common issue in the movie industry.I felt she was very honest about her issues. I'm glad she finally found a good therapist & was diagnosed & lithium worked for her. I think her therapy helped Patty/Anna in terms of writing this book - she was able to discuss her behavior as well as the underlying issues surrounding the behavior. I appreciate she did not gloss over her problems. Talking about being an unfaithful wife, a demanding employee, an angry stepmother, a poor friend etc.must have been hard to write about, but she did. I am shocked her third husband stayed with her as long as he did. Talk about a handful. Whew.Since this book was written 25 years ago, I googled her to see what had happened since the book ended. (Yet another memoir written in middle age so the book ends before the story is over.) She is still married to her fourth husband - that's good. Her son Sean has had moderate success as an actor. The most interesting discovery I made is that Sean's biological father is her third husband - the one she married in Vegas in the middle of a manic episode. The 13 day marriage. In her memoir, she insists they never had sex but apparently they did, according to the DNA test Sean Astin had.In-ter-est-ing. Hmmmm. Maybe she felt weird already admitting that she was sleeping with Desi Arnez Jr - a teenager! - and with John Astin, who was still married at the time and no one was sure who the father was. Patty/Anna's memoir was a quick, easy read. Worth reading for her discussion of making The Miracle Worker and for a glimpse into what it is like being an undiagnosed manic-depressive.
I'm torn between 4 stars and 5 stars. I hate to give almost everything I read 5 stars. Makes it seem that a REALLY great book isn't quite so great then... But on to my review.This was a well-written, poignant story about a very interesting woman! I bought this book at the library from their Friends of the Library "shelf sale". I wasn't sure if I would be interested in it or not, but thought, "Maybe I'll get around to reading it." Once I started it, I couldn't put it down! I had no idea that the person that I knew as the "identical cousins girl" had done so much, been through so much, survived so much.I'm not very good at writing reviews about books. For one, I don't want to give too much away about a book. For another, I can't seem to quite explain what any certain book means to me. I'll just say this; if you like autobiographies, have an interest in Patty Duke, or just want to learn what this lady's life was life up to that point; then DEFINITELY check out this book!!
What do You think about Call Me Anna: The Autobiography Of Patty Duke (1988)?
“In some areas of my life I am totally crazy.” For almost 200 pages Patty Duke with the piercing brilliantly beautiful eyes that I remember from her TV show, ranted and raved about the Ross’s who commandeered her life as a young child and controlled her more mercilessly than any child star’s mother possibly could. I was about to quit at several points, fed up with the childishness. ttttThe Miracle Worker time of her life became more interesting and she finally began to mature and take more independence. The final 50 or more pages were fascinating as she shared her understanding of Manic Depression and talked about her relationships and parenting the two youngest of her 5 sons. Patty Duke became like the caterpillar butterfly, finally evolving from an immature child into a caring and enlightened adult.
—Wendell Hennan
I read this book for the May challenge on Booklovers General Fiction forum. I always loved the Patty Duke show so I thought why not find out more about her life. After reading this book I saw a troubled young lady fighting to get her life back.She had abandonment issues, emotional and mental abuse, but she still came out of this fighting. She was treated awful by her managers/surrogate parents. Her own parents had mental illness issues and alcoholism. Patty had these same issues and throw medication into the mix you have one messed up lady.She finally gets a diagnosis and treatment for her disease. Now she is a healthy adult.
—Cathy Beckett
sad, troubled life.i found it interesting in many ways: the abused child actor past with evil dicksonian managers, serious mental health breakdowns, and her acting career range from child broadway star, oscar, emmy, acting award winner, to her grand flops & cheesy tv. major kudos to patty for being so honest & forthright about her mental illness. on the down side her author's voice seriously annoyed me & exhibits her lack of writing talent. she writes how she talks using slang terms like "i mean" and "the man" so often it really becomes grating & makes her come of as low class, too casual- not the sophisicated, intelligent woman that i hope she is. though i do like her, aside from her tragic life, there's something about her that makes me recoil. i can't quite put my finger on it. something seems off with her to me in a big way concerning healthy personality and existence in the world. i do know her lackadaisical attitude toward her abusive managers and her life is very disturbing to me. maybe it's her general aggressiveness,or denial over her situation, or some bipolar personality manifestation- i just don't know. either way, i feel sorry for her and i do like her even admist the recoiling. she has courage for hanging in there & I wish her the best.
—Amy
