Customer Reviews

Eva Le Gallienne: A Biography

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Not only do I feel that the author gave a clear and unbiased picture of Eva's life, but in the reading of this book, I was inspired as a theatre artisan myself. Eva is an important yet often overlooked historical figure, and I am recommending this book to all of my theatre friends. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.

It's hard to imagine what the American theater community would have been like without the great Eva La Gallienne. Fortunately, I purchased the Shanke's book, "Shattered Lives: The Story of Eva La Gallienne" and received it a few days earlier. What disappointed me about that book was the fact it focused so much on Eva's sexual orientation from a homosexual male perspective. Of course, Eva's sexuality is only part of her. In Sheehy's book, the author spends a lot of time in explaining this wonderful actress' life without doting too much on her sexuality. Who cares if Eva perferred the company of women really. It didn't stop her from being a major figure in establishing theater in the country. She performed everywhere, Seattle, New York, Washington D.C. Chicago, etc. Sadly, she never found the love of her life in other women but her true love was theater. It was on the stage that she became superfigure of a woman who can do so much. She wrote books and translated Ibsen and Chekhov. She should never be forgotten as one of the groundbreakers in American theater. This book does not dwell too much on her sexuality which I recommend for that reason alone. Eva was a remarkable lady and a grand dame of the theater.

I have fallen in love with Eva Le Gallienne. This book, along with Eva's own autobiographies, offers a very full and detailed view of Eva's life. However, it is so detailed that it will mainly interest those who already have a general interest in Le Gallienne and have a basic knowledge of her life.

Sheehy includes many details that Le Gallienne herself never disclosed in her two autobiographies, whether they be of a romantic or traumatic nature. Le Gallienne's autobiographies are much more interesting to read, because her narrative voice is very engaging, but Sheehy is more thorough and offers insights that only a third-party could offer.

I would recommend reading this book after reading "At 33" and "With a Quiet Heart," Eva's two autobiographies, though I will admit they are difficult to come by. It is much easier to get through Sheehy's book when you are familiar with Le Gallienne's life story.

It's all in the timing.

I had the great good fortune to see Eva Le Gallienne perform on stage in 1976 -- she was playing (appropriately) the matriarch in _The Royal Family_ -- imperious, sharp, poignant, smart, and hilarious. With the (still dramatic) exception of her private personal life, Miss LeG had impeccable timing, at every level, the right place at the right time -- historical, cultural, theatrical ... and now biographical. Because the time is right and true for this biography by Helen Sheehy. For one who broke boundaries, who invented and re-invented, who intrigued and created and directed (with all the meanings of those words), for whom theatre was heart and soul -- such a person needs not only someone who writes well to tell her story, but someone who also understands the nuances of theatre -- and Theatre -- performance and history. Ms. Sheehy has the credentials, the timing, and the "voice" -- exquisite prose style, narrative skill, and theatrical blood. Miss LeG is on stage again, beautiful and compelling. _Eva Le Gallienne: A Biography_ is a wonderful read about an adventure of a life and a lifetime.