Memoirs of an Unfit Mother (Paperback)

by Anne Robinson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Dubbed the "Queen of Mean," Robinson, host of the popular television game show The Weakest Link, is known as much for her icy demeanor, acerbic insults and severe appearance as for launching the ubiquitous, lilting catchphrase "good-bye." As Robinson lets down her seemingly impenetrable guard here, the only thing listeners may find familiar during the lengthy reading is her trademark clipped British accent and straightforward, flat delivery. She discusses her childhood with a fiercely independent, impatient mother she describes as "part monster, part magic" and a kind, passive father she's only come to fully appreciate after his death; then details the lessons and values of her upbringing that led to her ambitious nature and unrelenting desire for fame. In her 20s, she worked as a Fleet Street journalist, and in 1968 she married editor Charlie Wilson, but quickly realized she'd "misjudged a husband on a grand scale." Her recounting of their divorce and the ensuing custody battle over Robinson's only child results in long passages covering courtroom accusations of adultery, tales of her admitted alcoholism and the high emotional toll her loss of custody cost. But she lightens the tone when she speaks of breaking into radio and television, a successful second marriage and her eventual sobriety. It may be just hardcore fans who are willing to make the time commitment to this production they may also be the only ones who will be able to see Robinson in a sympathetic light. Simultaneous release with the Pocket Books hardcover.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

From Library Journal
Known as the "rudest woman on TV," Robinson was imported from Britain along with her show, The Weakest Link, as the latest entry in outrageous programming for prime-time American viewers. Her acerbic remarks and cutting putdowns are part of the draw that brings people back to watch this red-haired harpy, dressed all in black, week after week. With an amazing degree of honesty, here Robinson recounts the formative events of her life, which included a gentle but passive father and a domineering and determined mother who dragged the family into the wake of her unrelenting ambition for wealth and social position. To the author's credit, her mother instilled this same ambition and craving for fame and success in her daughter, along with a need for alcohol. In her 20s, Robinson became a Fleet Street journalist; in 1968, she married Charlie Wilson, who worked for the same publication, but he was on the male fast track to becoming an editor. What followed was an abusive marriage, her drinking, and a resultant custody battle with no holds barred. Along the way, Robinson shares her view of the 1960s, the women's movement, and the royal family, including the phenomenon of Princess Diana. The excruciating detail, pontificating assessment of the British monarchy, and the downright monotony of destructive behavior in one person's life make for a torturous listening experience. Only diehard fans of Robinson will find this even mildly interesting. Not recommended for smaller public libraries and a marginal purchase, at best, for larger ones. Gloria Maxwell, Penn Valley Community Coll., Kansas City, MO
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (November 2, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743448987
• ISBN-13: 978-0743448987
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #617,147 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Side We Haven't Seen of Anne, November 3, 2001

By	Angeline Schmit (Minneapolis, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memoirs of an Unfit Mother (Hardcover)

I absolutely loved this book. There can be no doubt that I do love the style of Anne Robinson on The Weakest Link. She has captivated me by her presnece and british quick-wit style. Some would take her as "The Queen of Mean", a hostile woman with no feeling, but this book has proven that myth wrong. Though she feels she has given her daughter a poor upbringing, and the guilt of this weighs still on her mind, she has proven herself to be very loving, and very much like your everyday, shop-aholic, hard working mother, daughter, sister, and friend. One could only be very blessed to know her personally. She could only give excitement to your life. I could not put this book down, I had to have it surgically removed from my fingers! :)
I hope she will continue to write, she has an especially wonderful sense of the english language, as being in journalism for over 30 years, and she has all her chairs in place. (As one would need to, to be a journalist, and hostess to The Weakest Link.) As a young woman, I could very much identify with her, and felt I had a friend as I turned each page.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars No, Not The Next Harry Potter Book, November 28, 2001

By	"zed102" (Chandler, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Memoirs of an Unfit Mother (Hardcover)

Despite the eerie physical resemblance to her equally popular English sorcerer counterpart, this is not a book you may want your young children reading. "Memoirs" chronicles the fascinating (and, at times, brutally honest) life of Anne Robinson from life as a young girl with a bullying career-driven mother through her own rocky personal life but wildly successful professional career. Americans may only know Robinson from television's "The Weakest Link." But Robinson is no overnight success. Here we discover the decades she spent working her way up the ranks of Fleet Street and the BBC. Robinson also offers some many insights on two other famous Britain women of the time, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and the late Princess Diana.

The memoir does a lot to dispel Robinson's image as just a nasty, insult-slinging witch. One certainly has sympathy for Robinson's struggles and respect for her ability to ultimately prevail time and time again. Nevertheless, Robinson is one tough lady and, like her game show persona, someone you would want to be on your side. All and all, "Memoirs" offers insights into the undeniable legacy of parents and the incredibly difficult balancing act between family and work - themes that should appeal even to those who are not fans of "The Weakest Link."

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!, October 19, 2002

By	Karlis Streips (Riga, Latvia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Memoirs of an Unfit Mother (Hardcover)

I always watch "The Weakest Link" here in Europe with sort of a fist in my mouth - how can that woman be so horrible to people, and what an utter delight it is when someone gets one up on her. This biography talks not only about the way in which a truly dedicated woman got to the top of her field, but also about the way in which this "unfit mother" really did turn out to be a wonderful mother, with a wonderful daughter and with a wonderful relationship with said daughter. I suppose that Anne Robinson must be feeling sort of like Boris Karloff these days - he wasn't really Frankenstein's monster, and she isn't really the iron-fisted dominatrix of the television show. I read every word with great pleasure, and I recommend the book to everyone. The reason for four instead of five stars is that there are about three paragraphs in the whole book about "The Weakest Link". I really would have wanted to hear a lot more about the author's thoughts about what is a phenomenal show. Other than that, though, it was a great, great read.