From the Pulliter Prize winning biographer, A Scott Berg’s aim is to write a personal account of his time as Hepburn’s friend and confidante, as well share many of the stories told in the long interview sessions they had during their twenty year long friendship.

In a way, it’s an odd sort of biography, untraditional in the sense that it’s unashamedly about the authors time spent with the famous actress as well as her stories and history. But that’s what makes the book so enjoyable, as the author clearly feels very close to his subject and can speak about her day to day life with authority, having spent a great deal of time with her, and clearly caring about her very much. As an experienced biographer, you cannot accuse him of not having done his research, but there’s something very endearing about his awe of Kate.

Largely, the book follows a chronology of Hepburn’s life and career, and captures a great deal of her spirit. She’s truly an inspiring individual, who talked straight, paved the way for women to live by their own rules, and lived her life brave and indomitable. Very witty and hilariously bossy, Hepburn’s anecdotes are a delight to read and stories of her life are amazing (Howard Hughes landing a plane on the beach where she was picnicking to impress her numbers amongst a favourite). The book is both funny and incredibly sad in places, and is beautifully written. Not a terribly long book, it made me want to read more about Hepburn, but it also made me want to get a copy of the authors other Hollywood biographies. It also gives a fascinating insight into old Hollywood and the studio system, which was a golden age for cinema.

Read It If: you love movies! It’s a delightful book, full of stories about old Hollywood and the irrepressible Kate.