... a poignant look at a complicated relationship, a knowledgeable exercise in brand management, and a tantalizing foray into 'What if?' ... Wagner is frank in discussing her own grief-tinctured coming-of-age struggles ... our author is quick to douse the conspiracy embers that still swirl around her mother’s death ... Give all due credit to the author’s sincerity and loyalty, but don’t ignore the imperatives of image control. And marvel that, four decades after Wood’s death, her brand is still selling, and she herself is still hard at work.
... heartbreaking and scorchingly frank ... a loving but clear-eyed biography ... Wagner's compelling memoir rejects the tragic and doomed legend surrounding her mother and recasts her as a vibrant woman who was devoted to her profession, friends and family. Wagner also speaks out against the decades of tabloid fabrications of cover-ups and foul play conspiracy theories, often fanned by her aunt Lana Wood for attention and profit. This beautifully written memoir will appeal to movie fans, but Wagner's long search for emotional stability also makes it a compelling tool for those crippled by grief.
Natasha’s memories are vivid and heartbreaking, carefully pieced together from conversations, photographs, Natalie’s writings, news stories, and her family’s recollections ... This memoir, like Wagner’s life, is filled with the film elite, and her insider’s view is fascinating. What makes this work memorable, however, is her willingness to share her psychological struggles so candidly. While rumors still circulate about Natalie Wood’s death, her daughter remains convinced of Robert Wagner’s innocence. She admits that her parents had conflicts but believes in their overpowering love. And it’s this love that comes through in this personal account that fans of old Hollywood will savor.
... vibrant ... opens and closes with the scene and the speculations surrounding the death of Natalie Wood, and naturally readers will appreciate those details. But what Natasha most wishes to convey is that her mother was a strong-minded, beautiful woman who embraced life head-on and should be remembered for her achievements in life.
In this eloquent debut memoir, the author examines Wood’s life and the relationship they had while offering her perspective on the mysterious circumstances surrounding her mother’s untimely demise ... Fascinating as these details are, it is Wagner’s sensitive, probing depiction of how she coped without Wood that makes for the most compelling reading in a book that celebrates both a brilliant actress and a bygone film era ... An intimate and heartfelt memoir.
...heart-wrenching ... Wagner pulls no punches as she describes the repercussions of her mother’s death ... Wagner’s beautifully written and unashamedly emotional memoir is a love letter to Natalie Wood and an enduring gift to her fans.
