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Knock Wood (1984)

by Candice Bergen(Favorite Author)

3.7 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1476770131 (ISBN13: 9781476770130)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Simon & Schuster

review 1: Sons and daughters of famous celebrities sometimes become stars in their own right. At other times they seem to achieve success just because they are the famous person's son or daughter. In Candice Bergen's case, it was no doubt some of both. It is my sense that landing staring roles on the silver screen would have come harder had her dad not been radio ventriloquist Edgar Bergen. Yet Candice possessed a star quality that still would have probably made her a box office draw. The Bergen memoir Knock Wood includes a synopsis of her father's rise in the entertainment world, and progresses to when the book was first published in 1984. A normal childhood might be difficult if your only sibling was a dummy. Candice seems to have survived the experience pretty well. She struck ou... moret on her own and achieved a considerable success as an actress. She also did pretty well as a photographer until deciding to give up that pursuit to give more focus to doing well on the screen.When I sat down to read this, I was anticipating the author's account of something that made big news. Because of the date of the book, there is no mention of the famous flap over the TV show Murphy Brown. That happened later in the 80s with a vice presidential calling out of Bergen by Dan Quayle over the story line. That's OK though. There is an abundance of other events in her life which are worth reading about. If you wish to know about the Murphy Brown incident, you will find a lot of information by doing an online search. The recollections about the time leading up to the death of her father are quite heartfelt. She was there in Las Vegas on the opening night of what was to be his farewell engagement on stage. He was in failing health at the time, but despite concerns over whether he would do well it was a flawless performance. She cried that night. Three nights later, he died in his sleep. I am not a big reader of stories by or about Hollywood celebrities, but this one was not a disappointment. I am happy about the fact that this book was reissued. I am very happy to have received this book thanks to Goodreads!
review 2: I just re-read this book, which I've carried across the country three times. I loved it the first time, which accounts for my dragging it around. It was good the second time too, but I found it a bit more self- a sorted the second time. I loved it the first time, as she figured out who she was and realized that even rich and famous people have their issues. And who wouldn't, being raised with a dummy. One can see as she comes out of her shell, and gets out of abusive relationships to become the woman who epitomized strength in Murphy Brown. And learns her comedic side as she allows herself to let go. Really, it's nice to see someone so open about their foibles and their growth. less

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