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Summary: If you're a Simpsons fan, this is a must-read!
Review: A look behind-the-scenes at The Simpsons through the eyes of Nancy Cartwright, the voice of Bart Simpson. This one has everything from personal anectodes to details about how the cartoons themselves are created. Naturally, the focus is on the author and her own perspective, making it part autobiography, part backstage-at-the-Simpsons. Her chatty style and natural effervescence add to the book's charm.
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Summary: A very happy and productive 10 year old!!
Review: A very informative, highly personal and fun read! I liked the way Nancy includes the reader in the important periods of her career.I always wanted to know how much work went into making animated shows,now I have more appreciation of the work involved.I also liked the inside scoop she gives us on the higher profile celebs that she has met thru the show.I felt like I now knew them as she did.
Nancy's joy for life and her adventure in it comes through. She shows a great love and appreciation of her fellow artists and colleagues.Being a legend in the voice over field,it's great to see Nancy passing on great tips and great admiration for her peers and the legends to come. A very very lekker(cool) read. It is easy to see the fun had in writing the book. It comes across from page one and pervades thru to the end.
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Summary: I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down...
Review: An inspiring and humorous look at what happens to a woman from the mid-west who decides to do what she was created to do. Easy to read and even poetic at times, this book is a remarkable overview of the voice-over/animation business, giving insight into the world of the Simpson's and all that goes into making it happen. Her enthusiasm and honesty about the show, meeting celebrities, being an unrecognizable celebrity herself, and life in general make this a must-read for everyone on the planet.
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Summary: A fun, behind-the-scenes look at TV's best show
Review: As a huge fan of The Simpsons, I thought this book would be a must-read and was not disappointed. Nancy Cartwright's sparkling personality jumps off every page as she gives us a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at her unconventional career (and life). The style is much more conversational than literary (how many times can she write "Omygod!" or use tongue-in-cheek descriptions like "my most absolute favoritest part"?), but it's a passing caveat. The strongest elements are her descriptions of working with various guest-stars and the reactions they elicited from herself and the other cast and crew; her story about "directing" Kirk Douglas had me laughing out loud. This book is a fascinating peek into a world I've been dying to learn more about.
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Summary: Oh man, is this tedious.
Review: Being a huge fan of the Simpsons, I was excited to finally get my hands on this book and delve into the minds who create such poingnant social satire. The fact that the book was in the bargain bin should have been a tip off....this book book is plain awful. There seems to be a prevailing sentiment in the book that the voices make the show, and while the voices certainly are integral, the writing makes the show. Ms Cartwright seems to be in denial of this fact. She is certainly a talented voice-over actess, and she should send the writers a present daily for rescuing her from a world of "My Little Pony".....
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Summary: She's Nancy Cartwright, who the hell are you?
Review: Entertaining book, offering many peeks behind the scenes of The Simpsons. You'll get to know how different guest voices behaved themselves during the recording sessions, and how Nancy Cartwright experienced the show's and her quick rise to the fame. If you're a well-informed fan, don't expect any major revelations, though. As a nice person she seems to be, she's clearly not willing to upset anyone by saying things she shouldn't. Nevertheless, an informative and captivating book about the life of one of the most prominent voice actors of this and previous decade. Recommended for anyone interested in The Simpsons' production and the animation business in general.
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Summary: An interesting look into how a small-town girl made it big
Review: First things first: Ignore the review below that blasts this book. That reviewer was having a bad day (at least). And if you're looking for a nasty expose' of show business, this isn't it. This book is a real-life fairy tale of how a talented young girl from a small town in Ohio grew up, worked hard, had some lucky breaks, and became one of the most successful voice actors ever. Yes, you'll read about her high school and college experiences, and some other non-glamorous, non-show biz insights. But that's part of the story. You'll also read about how the Simpsons went from a short segment on the Tracy Ullman show to become the biggest animated success story ever, and get a real feel for how the show started, how it's written, performed, and animated. This is a great book for every Simpsons fan, or anyone who wants to see that yes, hard work and a little luck can still lead to success, even in the entertainment business.
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Summary: Ode to The Simpsons
Review: Having read Nancy Cartwright's book, My Life As A Ten Year Old Boy (5 cds, 6 hours, unabridged) which was not a great book or a great tell all. On the printed page, the book was slow and boring. So, I was very leary of an audio version. Well, I was wrong...The audio version sparkles.
Cartwright seems to do a one woman show in narrating her book. Okay, she doesn't fully get her co-stars voice patterns (like Julie Kavner's Marge or the late great Phil Hartman) perfect, but you will know who she is talking about. She is a masterful talent behind a mic, which makes this insiders version of the Simpson family rock.
So, DONT HAVE A COW, MAN over some of her crazy vocal detours Nancy tries. Cartwright's tell all is NOT an audio copy of Nimoy's I am NOT Spock. She is happy in the skin of Bart and it shows. What impresses me more is her humble beginning and her excitement in this reading. It overwhelms the listener. For most Overwhelming is bad, for this it is VERY good. Cartwright is a fan along with all of us ! She still had the awe with the rest of us!
So If you a Simpson fan, Animation fan, Love Saturday Morning Cartoons (or Cartton Network) or a fan of a life in Hollywood stories... this no nonsense, humorous recanting on the history of a cartoon series is great fun...and if you don't like this audio...well to quote Bart Simpson, in his immortal words, "EAT MY SHORTS!"--Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD
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Summary: Boy, did she need a ghostwriter!
Review: Huge disappointment. I am a big Simpsons fan, and looked forward to this book. Sadly, it seems to have been written by a gaggle of eight-year-olds girls at a slumber party. LOTS!!! of EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!, bubbly, effusive writing and adolescent hero worship-if she could have dotted her i's with hearts or happy faces, I'm sure she would have. And when Cartright tries for subtle humor, well . . . She may voice Bart's witticisms well, but she obviously doesn't write them.
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Summary: I will read this book. I will read this book. I will...
Review: I have been the coordinator of Mensa's special interest group devoted to "The Simpsons" for many years now and when a fellow member of the group had an opportunity to go to a book signing for Nancy Cartwright's "My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy" I asked him if he could meet the author for me and get me an autographed copy of the book. When I received the book I began reading in earnest and I could not put it down. Nancy Cartwright delights fans and non-fans of "The Simpsons" with her first book, "My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy." Her book goes beyond a traditional autobiography and takes an interesting look at the inner workings of one of America's most beloved television series. Cartwright's cozy writing style makes readers feel like they are getting a 12-year personal backstage tour of the show. As an original and integral castmember, Cartwright deserves attention; the book is a must for those interested in what goes on behind the scenes of the show. Nancy (after reading the book readers feel like they should be on a first-name basis with the writer)also shares her own personal and professional development with regard to her voice career. This amply satisfies the curiosity of anyone who has ever asked the question,"how does someone get a really cool job like that?" Interactions with guest stars, details about production and the author's personal reflections on people and events connected with the show serve to provide readers with a unique perspective of one of the most popular TV shows of all time. In short, Nancy Cartwright's book, "My Life as a 10-Year-Old Boy" is an interesting and fascinating read. I would definitely recommend it.
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