No Room for Secrets in this review (No Room For Secrets - Joanna Lumley)

Member Name: floatingclouds

Product:	No Room For Secrets - Joanna Lumley
Date:	11/11/07 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Interesting, inspirational, warm

Disadvantages: If you don't like ghost stories be warned there are some!

No Room for Secrets
by Joanna Lumley
Review by Floatingclouds
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Actress Joanna Lumley OBE born on the 1st May 1946 in Kashmir, India. Has written and recorded her story for us avid readers to inhale. ‘No Room for Secrets’ an autobiography with an unusual layout.

If I am to be completely honest I didn’t know very much about Joanna Lumley before picking up this book. I was aware of her acting skills because she was in the very funny television series ‘Absolutely Fabulous’. That was only down to having a rather obsessive friend who wouldn’t miss an episode!

So, reading this book was quite an eye opener and this is why I love to read about people’s lives. You can learn so much, it can be fascinating. The question is did Joanna’s book cut the mustard?

Well before I conclude I must first tell you a little about the book or this wouldn’t be a proper review would it? So be patient and please try and read to the very end.

… No Room for Secrets …

Joanna takes a soft, gentle approach to her writing and makes you, the reader feel most welcome in what’s her home. You’ll be excited to hear that you will be given a guided tour as Joanna becomes a red coat for the day in her own premises. She provides you the guest with key facts which relate to certain aspects of that given room.

When I heard Joanna say a five story building I knew I’d need to wear slippers to make the walk a comfortable one!
Like me Joanna is obviously very sentimental her remarks regarding particular items which bring back fond memories for her. Items she’ll probably treasure for the rest of her life. You have to appreciate the openness expressed to an audience who are unknown to her. This makes the book a truly amazing experience.

You almost feel like an intruder but you know she has opened the door to you, you’ve wiped your feet on the welcome mat and been given some inviting information. The more you read the better you get to know Joanna and the more comfortable you feel better about the whole scenario.

There are to many subjects to cover and if I were to include them. It would ruin your first visit to Joanna’s home. So I will endeavor to be very delicate and lightly skim over some of the topics covered on Joanna’s tour.

Unbeknown to me Joanna worked for a number of years as a model. This is quite an ignorant observation by myself because she is utterly gorgeous.

Charity work played and still plays a huge part in Joanna’s life. Not only did her mother help those less fortunate than herself. Joanna seems to have taken this role on and does whatever she can to help others. With the realisation that her status can make a huge difference to those who need help. For example taking part in Comic Relief; traveling and living with families in extreme poverty. Taking part in comedy sketches in the hope the general public will make a pledge in return for the entertainment provided.

I was also surprised to learn that ‘Room for Secrets’ is not Joanna’s first book. She has written several others although as far as I am aware this is the first one about herself. Her writing style was most definitely professional and kept me the reader interested for many hours. It seems Joanna is women with many talents!

In the latter part of ‘No Room for Secrets’ Joanna reveals some spooky stuff happening in her previous house (The Parsonage) and in her present home. I hate reading this sort of thing before I go to bed. I’m a big wimp! She was convincing, I most certainly believed her.


… Conclusion …

I could close my eyes at night and envisage Joanna’s rooms as though I was really there. I guess this comes down to Joanna’s clever, clear and concise descriptive terms.

Who would I recommend this book to? I’d say the book was female orientated. Someone who takes a great interest in hearing short stories about the origin of furniture or the reason why Joanna is where she is today. It’s not a book which would suit everyone but it certainly entertained me.

I have a friend in mind; I am most definitely going to recommend this book to her. She loves anything ‘different’ and enjoys reading real stories and their backgrounds. Perhaps you know a friend like this. Maybe this could be a Christmas present?

I’d just like to finish by adding that you don’t have to be a Joanna Lumley fan to enjoy this book. Just someone who takes an interest in how another being lives.

… Available formats …

Paperback
Hardcover (Large Print Ed)
Audio CD (Audiobook)
Audio Cassette


… Product details …

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New Ed edition (30 Jun 2005)

ISBN-10: 0141015462

Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.8 x 2 cm

Price:
Amazon.co.uk - £6.74

Summary: A excellent read. Written by a multi-talented lady