Be the Heroine , Not the Victim

Nora Ephron (1941 -2012) wrote the scripts for "When Harry Met Sally" (1989), "Sleepless in Seattle" (1993), and"You've Got Mail" (1998). I love these films, and I've seen them so many times I can say the lines along with the characters. Ephron's New York is a vibrant, colorful place full of native and transplanted New Yorkers who adore the city, from sidewalk trash pickup to astounding views from the tallest skyscrapers.

I've seen the movie version of "Heartburn" (1986). Meryl Streep is a true wonder - remember "Sophie's Choice" (1982)? And I truly forgot she wasn't really Julia Child in "Julie & Julia" (2009). I didn't like the movie version of "Heartburn," though - and I never read the 1982 book.

I did like the Audible of "Heartburn" very much. I remember that "Heartburn" was reviewed by a lot of critics as whiny and self absorbed when it was published 31 years ago, but today, it is snarkily amusing and a wry slice of the 80's. There's something sad and funny about a woman who renovates the couple's several homes, a cook book author with her own cooking show, who complains about being broke all the time - and is clueless that her feckless husband is carrying on an affair with the money going to expensive trips and gifts to his mistress. When Rachel Samstat finally looses it, she does it with memorable flare.

Ephron wrote "Heartburn" after a bitter end to her marriage to the philandering Carl Bernstein. Yes, the Bernstein, who along with Bob Woodward and a whistleblower code named "Deep Throat" exposed the Watergate crimes and brought down Richard M. Nixon's presidency. Bernstein referred to the whistleblower as "MF", and Ephron called her fictional wandering spouse "Mark Feldman." In 2005, the FBI agent who leaked information to Bernstein went public - Mark Felt. Ephron knew who Bernstein's informant was. Listening to "Heartburn," I wondered if she was covertly pointing at Felt.

Ephron turned what was a hushed scandal that had Washington DC society whispering its pity for her into a best selling book and a major motion picture. Now it's a wonderful Audible book, performed by Streep - who makes you forget she's not actually Rachel Samstat/Nora Ephron in the first five minutes.

The title of this review is an edited quote from a commencement speech Ephron gave at Wellesley in 1996. She said, "Above all else, be the heroine of your life , not the victim." That's what Ephron did with "Heartburn."

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306 people found this helpful

Just a treasure

This book being released in audio format is a gift. Having it read by Meryl Streep makes it a priceless gift. The constant and specific 80's references are so much fun. The setting in DC and the political references give such an intimate peek into lives and moments, it feels like you are eavesdropping instead of simply listening to a book. These combine to make the book feel like a purposeful classic instead of feeling dated.

Streep's narration is beyond perfect. She takes the whole experience to the next level. Her occasional self-effacing lilt and her chuckle add to that personal feeling, like she's a little embarrassed that she got caught telling such a tale. Narrators are usually best when they can become invisible, not true in this case. Streep adds to the story in a way that only she could, that only a master could.

I'll listen to this again. I really enjoyed it and want to catch any little moments I might have missed the first time

95 people found this helpful

Struggling through it!

I cant finish it. Not loving the way Meryl is reading it. her stops and goes and voice changes just don't work for me. i hate listening to the recipes - way too many. maybe this is better reading it yourself, but after five chapters I cant concentrate at all to listen.

27 people found this helpful

Delicious listening experience!

Combine Meryl Streep's talents with Nora Ephron's wit -->a recipe for delight.

Having read the book AGES ago and seen the movie, I was not prepared for how VERY much I would enjoy this audio. I was afraid that maybe it would be 'dated'. I was so wrong.

The story remais as witty, wry and wistful as it was thirty years ago. In fact I am more impressed now with its poise than I was the first time time I read it. I agree with the review of another reader: by the act of writing this book Nora Ephron transformed herself from victim to heroine of her own life.

Meryl Streep's reading adds so much to this audio. She always inhabits a role, but there was so much love and affection in her portrayal of Rachel Samstat. I feel her performance as a tribute to a life well-lived - the life of Nora Ephron. She was the very best choice of narrator for this story.

This audiobook was perfect, I can't think how it could have been better or I could have enjoyed it more.

41 people found this helpful

Droned on and on!

I get that the book is about a divorce but the whole thing droned on and on and it was hard to stay focused on the story.

14 people found this helpful

Absolutely wonderful

Just wonderful and funny and so clear and concise as you are led through the authors marriage breakup beginning when she was 7 months pregnant. Friends and the whole nine yards. Sprinkled throughout are recipes that I will need to try.

You’ll enjoy this book and I highly recomend it.

Narrated by the awesome Meryl Streep, who is the perfect narrator for this story, adds just the right touch together with the story to make this a truly enjoyable book!

4 people found this helpful

Cynical, grumpy, victim...can’t decide

I hated this book. Sorry. The entire book is one complaint after another. It paints marriage as an inevitable crap fest full of contempt, infidelity and distrust. The narration is so choppy, it read like someone who was reading a script for the first time.
Skip it...

4 people found this helpful

Nora Ephron and Meryl Streep. What could go wrong?

Oh I love this book. I loved it when I first read it many years ago and I love it more now I've listened to Meryl Streep run down the steps so beautifully placed there by the writer, Nora Ephron. Even though it's fictionalised, it's pretty much a memoir from the time she was married to Watergate journalist, Carl Bernstein and even though it's gaspingly hurtful (for her) it's also hilarious (for us). Meryl is of course magnificent. I remember thinking what a wonderful character the mother was before realising - yep, still Meryl. Brilliant narrator, great writer and a very successful book. Do yourself a favour and head to the cart.

22 people found this helpful

Sort of funny and tragic. Feels pointless.

While I understand that not all books need to have a clear narrative structure, this one felt a bit rambling to me. I don't want to spoil whatever story is there, but it just feels like it's building up to something, then It's really not. It just tellz what happens then sort of brushes it off. There were moments I thought I was enjoying it, but then nothing happened, so the enjoyment wore off.
Meryl Streep is amazing, but wholly wasted here.

3 people found this helpful

Great narration! Delightful story!

What did you love best about Heartburn?

Story was great!! And who would do a better job at narrating this book than Meryl Streep who played the role of Nora Ephron in the movie Heartburn? Her voice and intonation will take you there!
The story was also great, didn’t see the movie yet and I am glad I didn’t. I also love food; all the recipes sprinkled throughout the book, spiced up the story. One day, while listening to Heartburn, when I felt blue, I used one of them and it was great!!
I highly recommend it!!

18 people found this helpful