📖 Overview
Growing Up Again is Mary Tyler Moore's 1995 memoir chronicling her life experiences and challenges. The book covers her career in television, her personal relationships, and her battle with Type 1 diabetes.
Moore writes about her role as a public figure and the pressures of maintaining an image while dealing with private struggles. The narrative includes her experiences on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, along with her work in film and theater.
Behind the scenes of her professional success, Moore discusses her health journey and advocacy work for diabetes research. She examines the ways illness reshaped her perspectives on life, career, and purpose.
The memoir stands as a reflection on resilience and reinvention, exploring the distance between public perception and private reality. Through her story, Moore illustrates how setbacks can become catalysts for growth and transformation.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this memoir as an honest look at Moore's battle with Type 1 diabetes and alcoholism. Many found her writing style conversational and appreciated her openness about personal struggles, particularly her relationship with her son.
Readers liked:
- Detailed insights into her health challenges
- Behind-the-scenes stories from her TV career
- The balance between humor and serious topics
Readers disliked:
- Some found the tone too detached
- Several noted repetitive content from her first memoir
- Many wanted more details about her television years
- Some felt it focused too heavily on medical issues
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.6/5 (479 ratings)
Amazon: 4.1/5 (92 ratings)
One reader noted: "She writes with the same charm that made her famous, but doesn't shy away from difficult subjects." Another commented: "Too much about diabetes, not enough about her acting career."
Notable that multiple reviews mention being surprised by the medical focus rather than entertainment industry stories.
📚 Similar books
After All by Mary Tyler Moore
A continuation of Moore's life story that delves deeper into her personal struggles with alcoholism and diabetes.
Lauren Bacall By Myself by Lauren Bacall This memoir chronicles a Hollywood actress's journey through fame, marriage to Humphrey Bogart, and career challenges in the entertainment industry.
The Lonely Life by Bette Davis Davis presents her path from stage to screen while battling the Hollywood system and maintaining artistic integrity through multiple decades in entertainment.
'Tis by Frank McCourt The narrative follows an Irish immigrant's transition to America and his path toward becoming a teacher while wrestling with family obligations and personal demons.
Call Me Anna by Patty Duke Duke shares her experiences as a child star, her battles with mental illness, and her evolution into an advocate for mental health awareness.
Lauren Bacall By Myself by Lauren Bacall This memoir chronicles a Hollywood actress's journey through fame, marriage to Humphrey Bogart, and career challenges in the entertainment industry.
The Lonely Life by Bette Davis Davis presents her path from stage to screen while battling the Hollywood system and maintaining artistic integrity through multiple decades in entertainment.
'Tis by Frank McCourt The narrative follows an Irish immigrant's transition to America and his path toward becoming a teacher while wrestling with family obligations and personal demons.
Call Me Anna by Patty Duke Duke shares her experiences as a child star, her battles with mental illness, and her evolution into an advocate for mental health awareness.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Mary Tyler Moore wrote Growing Up Again while battling both Type 1 diabetes and a brain tumor, showcasing her resilience during significant health challenges.
📚 The memoir's title reflects Moore's perspective that managing diabetes forced her to "grow up again" and relearn how to take care of herself in fundamental ways.
🎭 The book provides behind-the-scenes glimpses of The Mary Tyler Moore Show, including how Moore balanced her diabetes management with the demanding schedule of television production.
💉 Moore served as the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation for over 20 years, using her celebrity status to raise awareness and funds for diabetes research.
🎬 The publication coincided with Moore's last major acting role in the TV movie Against the Wild (1995), marking a transition in her career from performer to author and advocate.