Customer Reviews

Stages: An Autobiography

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was honestly hoping for more. To me the book felt like a checklist of events and not anything that really made Jay Osmond the man he is. He hinted at important events and then left the reader hanging to fill in any kind of detail. THere was no real information, like what was is about Kandilyn Harris that made her stand out among all those other girls he dated.

Some of it was humourus, some of it informative, but I don't feel like I know the 'real' Jay Osmond any better for having read the book. I was hoping to really see how he thinks, and feels about the events of his life. I wanted to see what he thought were the pivitol moments in his life and why they were.

Next time I want a timeline of a life I will go to wikipedia.

When I first saw the cover for Jay's book, I have to admit, I didn't like it or why he was not posed. Then, I read his book. My perspective is that he is looking at the stages of his life. It's not a typical book by Chapters, it is set in Scenes and Acts, which was a nice change of pace. He talks about everything from the heart and his wife, Kandilyn also shares some of her thoughts, along with family members and friends. I received the book on a Monday, I finished the book that same night. It was that good, it was that interesting. I found I couldn't put it down, when I did, I went back to it to continue reading. Jay has never been the one to go out "solo" so to speak and I am so glad he finally did this book. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND to any Osmond fan, any Jay fan - this is a must read. If you like autobiographies, this is a must read. Some funny stories, some sad stories. Reading this you will understand Jay Wesley Osmond even more. Thank you Jay for doing this book.

I received my book yesterday and finished reading it today. It was a good read and I enjoyed it very much. Jay is a good story teller and I was left wanting more. Some of the times while reading I laughed or wept. However, there were times when Jay alluded to difficult times concerning his brothers and sister but did not go into detail. I feel probably because he was being a gentleman. But it was a little frustrating as, dear Jay, how can we learn from your mistakes or the mistakes your family made if we can't know the details? However, I respect his decision and privacy. He was candid about his own personal mistakes however and of which I learned from them and what he learned. I closed the book thinking, "I'm glad he knows how blessed he is to have grown up in such a loving family and to have the same now." Not that I really doubted that he didn't. I especially enjoyed the stories his family and friends wrote at the end of the book. All in all, good job Jay. I'm proud of you.

I love Jay Osmond, so of course, I loved this book. It is an interesting read that gives a bit of insight into his life. I agree with some reviewers that I wish he had gone into more depth with the serious subjects, but I don't think that is his style. And I was pleasantly surprised NOT to hear any real bitterness from Jay about his Dad and his "working" childhood. He does talk about an identity crisis and how he always wondered what it would have been like growing up in a "normal family" (as he puts it), but there is no bitterness. Just the usual life reflections that all of us go through.
At the end of the book, family and friends all share a quick "Jay story". It is a nice touch. Merrill's comments alone make this book reading. Well done!

I'm one of those fans who at age 48 look back to when I was in elementary school and first loved the Osmond Brothers and all the years since and I wonder why in the world I've had this fascination with them...

This book was a very satisfying read. The Osmonds have always seemed so perfect and as all of us who grew up knowing the reality in in life in general is that "life ain't all that perfect", we were perplexed just how they pulled it off.

The book is satisfying in that it shows how genuine Jay and the Osmonds really are. It wasn't all an act but they are as human as anyone.

Very good Jay.
So thanks for giving me a good book to settle in and read on such a cold, grey weekend.

Also an additional note on 4/25/11...i had my kindle with me while stuck in an emergency room for 5 hours (nothing overly serious, just a pain in the neck to be there at all)...I came across this book again and was so glad it was there to get me by those painfully boring hours. I got more out of it the 2nd time.

I started reading, Jay Osmond's book, Stages: An Autobiography, planning on reading it in stages. But the moment I started I was captured. I had a front row seat as Jay opens himself up, sharing goodtimes, sad times and shared his vulnerable side as he takes you thru the Stages of his life. He does not sugar coat his experiences, in this book he is honest. As I read, there were stages that I felt connected with similar times in my life. No matter how famous Jay is, he is human like you and I.
Thanks Jay, for sharing and thanks to all that helped make this book the best it could be.
Dot Thorman

I love Jay. Some advice: it does no good to write a book unless you reveal your feelings at the time. You needed to go deeper and give us insight into what was really going through your head so the readers feel as if they lived it with you. You gave slightlymore of yourself when writing of your sons. You got all your thank-yous & allocades out of your system. Now, Throw out this version and completly rewrite itfrom your heart. This book needs emotion. Its also in dire need of a professional editor.

This book does not let you inside the author. I get the feeling that Jay is hiding who he is instead of revealing himself. Most of the content of this book has been covered before in other publications and press releases over the years. I have read Marie's book and Donny's and I felt like I understood them a little better. Jay is not ready to write an autobiography until he can be more transparent.

Great story, although it read a bit like small vignettes rather than a novel. I really admire and respect this family. Interesting book.

very well written..it was nice to read about Jay Osmond not just as an Entertainer but Jay Osmond the person.. This book made me laugh and made me cry (happy tears) very touching... you must read itStages: An Autobiography