The Story of My Life

This great actress' own story from childhood on the stage (from 1848) to her last days at the Lyceum. She writes in simple prosy language, but with an emotionality that shines through. Her character sketches of the people she knew (Tennyson, Oscar Wilde, Shaw, Sarah Bernhardt ) are riveting. She is interested, primarily, in the work, and the whole book is a long paean to the life of an artist.