What Falls Away - by MIA Farrow (Paperback)

About the Book

A memoir in which actress Mia Farrow reviews her life, discussing the tensions and troubles that lurked beneath the surface of her idyllic childhood, her bout with polio, her Hollywood career, her marriages and children, and her relationship with Woody Allen.

Book Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - "A simply elegant memoir."--Newsweek

In this exquisitely written memoir, Mia Farrow takes us on a journey into her remarkable life. As the daughter of actress Maureen O'Sullivan and film director John Farrow, she lived what was by all appearances a charmed and privileged childhood. But below the surface, money troubles, marital tensions, drinking, and occasionally violence marred the Hollywood illusion.

And when Mia was nine, she would be forever wrenched from childhood by the terrible isolation of a bout with polio. Her father's death propelled her out into the world, where she embarked onto an acting career that included television, theater, and film--from her debut in Peyton Place to her first starring role in Rosemary's Baby, and on to her thirteen films with Woody Allen.

Here is a luminous memoir of childhood and motherhood, a thoughtful exploration of a spiritual journey, and a candid examination of her marriages to Frank Sinatra and André Previn and her close but troubled twelve-year relationship with Woody Allen. Told with grace and deep understanding, as well as humor, What Falls Away is an unforgettable book, an extraordinary record of an extraordinary life.

Review Quotes

"A simply elegant memoir."--Newsweek

"Compelling and convincing . . . a story of survival."--Chicago Tribune

"A beautifully written memoir . . . about complex people and issues."--The Atlanta Journal

"A juicy book and a good one."--Time

"Farrow's book possesses an elegance of prose and sensibility that elevates it way beyond the typical gorefest of sex, gossip, and betrayal."--USA Today

"A stellar new memoir . . . it's all there, every wondrous, scandalous, inhumanely difficult thing."--Mirabella

"Mia Farrow tells the story of her fascinating life with uncommon grace and insight."--William Styron

"Word by word, page by page, we're convinced. We believe her."--Newsday

"One of the best writers to ever come out of Hollywood. She writes with extraordinary wit and polish. This is good news for Frank Sinatra, André Previn, and the hundreds of other celebrities who make cameo appearances in her fabulous life, but it is very bad news for Woody Allen."--Pat Conroy

About the Author

Mia Farrow is an American actress who became an icon for her award-nominated performance as Rosemary Woodhouse in the horror classic Rosemary's Baby. She was born in Los Angeles in 1945 and is the eldest daughter of Australian director John Farrow. Before she became an actress, Farrow was a model for many years. Mia Farrow is also an activist and has done extensive work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Time magazine named her one of the most influential people in the world in 2008. Farrow has starred in dozens of movies, including John and Mary, The Great Gatsby (1974), Widows' Peak, and Luc Besson's Arthur series.