Who Does She Think She Is?: Martine: My Autobiography - Softcover

McCutcheon, Martine

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0099415984 ISBN 13: 9780099415985

Publisher: Arrow, 2001

Synopsis

'Who does she think she is?' is something Martine has heard people say about her all her life. Born into the poorest and least-promising background and with only a loving mother's support to help her, Martine has dared to follow her dreams of stardom and has achieved more in her twenty-four years than most of those who turned their noses up at her achieve in a lifetime.It's a story that includes a life on the run from a violent father, drink, drugs and even an attempted murder that filled her childhood with fear; her early attempts at pop stardom and first loves, plus dates with Matt Goss and Mick Hucknall; her big break in EastEnders, and the shocking story of how she really came to leave the series.Martine's story ends with today's triumphs over the tragedies of her life: the number one and platinum-selling singles and album, the starring roles in a new television series, a feature film and in My Fair Lady at The National Theatre.The British public have taken Martine McCutcheon to their hearts - she is 'one of us' - and her life story is an inspiration to anyone born without any apparent advantages.

About this title

Review:

Martine McCutcheon is 24 years old; this is her (first) autobiography. Written with the help of Matthew Wright, tabloid columnist turned ubiquitous media correspondent, it charts her childhood years, early struggles in showbiz and subsequent success in Eastenders and beyond; a real rags-to-riches tale of dreams come true. Matthew Wright is an old hand at ghost-writing celebs so you can be sure the tone here sounds like Martine's and the story flows with a certain amount of panache and tension. Certainly, the opening chapters, which chart the wannabe superstar's abuse at the hands of her father, are gritty and touching, echoing in the heart of anyone who has also been a victim of abuse. A donation from the sales of each book will go toward Refuge, helping resettle abused families. As Martine grows up, however, life settles down. Her story becomes extraordinary--as she excels at the Italia Conti Stage School and lands acting parts galore--but also strangely mundane (with her fair share of loves lost, hearts broken and dreams left by the wayside). This is the story of an East End gal made good; lacking a little glamour, perhaps, but solidly down to earth--it's most appreciative reader, perhaps, aspirational teens looking to follow Ms McCutcheon's path to Epping Forest Country Club and on to household fame.

While Martine furnishes her fans with plenty of Eastenders trivia and stage-school capers, the tone here is kept deliberately light. Leaving the deep and meaningful stuff to fellow poppette Geri (If Only by Geri Halliwell), she rights a few newspaper wrongs and explains each step of her career, but isn't given to courting controversy in print. Martine stars as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady in London's West End from spring 2001 and it's strange how her life seems to mirror its inspiration Pygmalion. The play's author, George Bernard Shaw was, of course, a genius writer, and its fair to say Martine is not--still; audiences will warm to her alter ego of Eliza all the same. --Helen Lamont (This text refers to the hardback edition of this title.)

Review:

Born into the poorest background, Martine has now attained more in 25 years than most who have turned up their noses at her achieve in a lifetime. Her autobiography takes in a life on the run from a violent father, drinks and drugs; her early attempts at stardom and early loves; her big break in EastEnders and the shocking story of how she really came to leave the show; and her platinum selling records, the starring role in a new TV series and much more.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arrow
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0099415984
• ISBN 13: 9780099415985
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 390