What Falls Away

By: Mia Farrow

Narrated by: Mia Farrow

In an exquisitely written memoir, Mia Farrow introduces us to the landscapes of her extraordinary life. Moving from her earliest memories of the walled gardens and rocky shores of western Ireland and her Hollywood childhood to her career as an actress, she writes of these experiences and her struggle to protect her children in a painful custody battle with Woody Allen. It was this crisis that led her to reflect upon the incidents that had brought her to a place so incomprehensible. Now, in What Falls Away, a memoir resonant not only in its honesty but also in its beautifully crafted prose, Mia Farrow speaks for the first time.

She was born the third of seven children to the beautiful actress Maureen O'Sullivan and successful writer/director John Farrow, but the isolation of a polio ward brought her childhood to an abrupt end at the age of nine. Several years later, two deaths shattered the security of the family forever, and Mia Farrow embarked upon a journey that would lead her away from the convent education that was to sustain her spiritual courage, to starring roles in Peyton Place and Rosemary's Baby, a marriage to Frank Sinatra, divorce, a defining trip to India, work on the London stage and in film, and marriage to André Previn. Their life together in England brought them three sons and three daughters before that marriage, too, dissolved and she returned to the United States.

The year 1979 saw the beginning of a new career with brilliant performances in thirteen of Woody Allen's most distinguished films.

Told with grace and deep understanding, as well as humor, What Falls Away goes beneath the surface of this amazing life, with all its drama, success, and pain, and exposes the inner workings of a mind and spirit for whom truth, compassion, and faith are essential.

Mia Farrow's story is ultimately one of hope and courage in the face of difficulty; of commitment to others--most important of whom are her children; and of spiritual strength. Readers will not easily forget this remarkable book, even long after the last page has been turned.©1997 Mia Farrow; (P)1997 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A simply elegant memoir.”—Newsweek

“Compelling and convincing . . . a story of survival.”—Chicago Tribune

“A beautifully written memoir . . . about complex people and issues.”—The Atlanta Journal

“A juicy book and a good one.”—Time

“Farrow’s book possesses an elegance of prose and sensibility that elevates it way beyond the typical gorefest of sex, gossip, and betrayal.”—USA Today

“A stellar new memoir . . . it’s all there, every wondrous, scandalous, inhumanely difficult thing.”—Mirabella

“Mia Farrow tells the story of her fascinating life with uncommon grace and insight.”—William Styron

“Word by word, page by page, we’re convinced. We believe her.”—Newsday

“One of the best writers to ever come out of Hollywood. She writes with extraordinary wit and polish. This is good news for Frank Sinatra, André Previn, and the hundreds of other celebrities who make cameo appearances in her fabulous life, but it is very bad news for Woody Allen.”—Pat Conroy

Fascinating

Even if you don't really know who Mis Farrow is, you're sure to know some of her friends! This was a gripping look at the life of someone who never knew any life but Hollywood from childhood, but is a sincerely is a nice person.

Excellent. Fascinating with heavy themes.

interesting telling of Ms. Farrow's journey. Recommended. She is a commendable and likable soul whose story is very worth telling.

creepy Woody Allen

I hated how creepy Woody Allen was throughout the time that Mia Farriw knew him. He was disgusting and Narcissistic. Mia was so tolerant for so long. She is a Saint to put up with him as long as she did. Mia is also a Saint for adopting all if those kids.

What a life

This woman’s life from her birth, childhood, youth was 🤐. From meeting the Beatles at a meditation camp to being Frank Sinatra’s partner and doing a million movies with Woody Allen. Her biological kids and adopted kids. I also downloaded Woody’s memoir to compare stories but I believe her. People call her crazy and a bunch of other things. This was an interesting one sure. She reads very fast at times and monotone but the content is very engaging.

An Eye Opener

Fascinating!! I listened to the story over 2 days and was thoroughly riveted. She is honest to a degree of 'brutality'. In many ways Mia Farrow is at once both naive and worldly. Both stupid and wise. I felt sympathy for her situation and anger at her failures to recognise what was going on and put a stop to it. I have come away with an impression of a person who is a thorough example of a 'human being' with all our many facets of being. None of us are perfect and we will all approach situations differently. I have formed the opinion that she is a 'kind' person who was dealing with a situation way outside her experience, and with hindsight may have done better (as we all could). A thoroughly good autobiography well worth listening to. Highly recommended.