Furious Love

Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century

By: Sam Kashner, Nancy Schoenberger

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

From veteran entertainment reporter Sam Kashner and biographer Nancy Schoenberger comes the definitive account of the greatest Hollywood love story ever told—the romance of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Kashner has interviewed Elizabeth Taylor numerous times and is the only journalist given access to her extensive collection of personal letters and journals, and he and Schoenberger have also interviewed the Burton family at length, including Burton’s actress daughter Kate. This is truly an authorized and singularly informed biography of these two larger-than-life stars, and of their glamorous, volatile, and audacious relationship.

Appauling bad narration

I was SO excited about this book, but the little voices that Boehmer does for Burton and Taylor are so offensively bad.... he makes Taylor out as a whiny school girl and Burton (whose voice and wit are arguably his best traits) as weak and soulless. Burton's words (ever the poet) are mangled and rhythmless in Boehmer's rendering.

Unfortunately the sample isn't a sample of the book, but of the opening credits- otherwise I could have avoided this unfortunate purchase.

Insight into MEGAstardom

Would you listen to Furious Love again? Why?

I wouldn't listen to Furious Love again only because I don't think I have ever listened to an audiobook twice.

What did you like best about this story?

It showed the beginning of megastardom and the fascination with the private lives of celebrities even more than their work as actors. Just like reality stars of today (although they had talent) Liz and Dick began to take their stardom more seriously, I think, than their work.

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I havent- but I will say he does a tremendous job. He has a voice for every character. It puts you off for 2 minutes but after listening you really appreciate his enthusiasm for the characters and the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me feel like I was in this 60's world of excess and appreciate how we have changed as a culture. There have always been stars, whether royalty or movie stars- we need them for inspiration, hope, escape.

Great narrator

He does a great Richard Burton impression! Gave their love story the tender hand it deserved!

Just fabulous insight into this true love story

I Loved it! Great job by narrator as well and I’ll listen to it again

I enjoyed it!

The narrator took me a little while to warm up to, but then I liked him a lot. Subtle, good accents. It was wonderful hearing the letters that Richard wrote to Elizabeth, some of them even written when she was in the same room or suite. Enjoyed it.