Book description
Audiobook Review: Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations by Peter Evans
Listening to Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations feels like stepping backstage into a Hollywood legend's most intimate confessions, all narrated in a voice that is at once polished and raw. Peter Evans has distilled the "wickedly candid" memoir that Ava Gardner feared was too revealing for her lifetime, and the result is an audiobook that drips with humor, heartbreak, and the kind of sharp wit that only a star of Ava's caliber could wield.
From the very first track, you're drawn into Ava's world-her rural North Carolina roots, her meteoric rise to Hollywood stardom, and the whirlwind romances that defined her public image. The narration is peppered with anecdotes about her three husbands: Mickey Rooney's infidelities (even his mother warned her), Artie Shaw's domineering attitude ("a dominating son of a bitch"), and the chaotic yet intoxicating partnership with Frank Sinatra ("fighting all the time...madness, but he was good in the feathers"). Each story is delivered with a balance of candor and humor that makes you laugh while also feeling the sting of her regrets.
The audiobook's strength lies in its pacing. Evans doesn't rush through Ava's life; instead, he lets each chapter breathe, letting the listener absorb the emotional highs and lows. The sound quality is crisp, and the narrator's tone shifts seamlessly from lighthearted banter to poignant reflection, mirroring the memoir's own dual nature as both a "heartbreaking memoir of the ultimate heartbreaker" and a "complete delight." It's no wonder that reviewers like the Chicago Tribune called it a "raw-nerved revelation," and the Philadelphia Inquirer declared it impossible to put down.
What truly sets this recording apart is how Ava's voice comes through-unfiltered, unapologetic, and fiercely intelligent. She speaks of her love for jewels ("I'm kinda sentimental about the jewels") with a wink that reminds listeners she was always in control of her narrative. The audiobook invites you into conversations that feel personal, as if you're listening to an old friend recounting her most daring moments.
In summary, Ava Gardner: The Secret Conversations is a masterfully narrated treasure that captures the essence of Hollywood's golden age through the lens of one of its brightest stars. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Ava Gardner's story, this audiobook delivers wit, depth, and an unforgettable listening experience that will linger long after the final track fades.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience