AND FURTHERMORE (Judi Dench)

"The whole idea of a group of people coming together and working to one end somehow is very appealing to me.  It is the thing I have always wanted to do, and I am lucky enough to be doing it."
Judi Dench's memoir accentuates the positive (to borrow from Johnny Mercer), focusing on her obvious love of family and acting rather than highlighting the tragedies and setbacks in her life.  There is no whitewashing here, merely a recognition that with joy comes sorrow, and, with success, disappointment.  Not that Dench's life has been marked by any out-of-the ordinary tragedies.  In fact, she enjoyed a happy childhood and a successful 30-year marriage to fellow actor Michael Williams, she has a beautiful daughter and beloved grandson, and she has obviously achieved great success in her chosen field.  This memoir is not a celebration of Judi Dench's awards and achievements; it is the story of how she evolved into the person and actress she is today as told in her own words to John Miller.  Full of anectdotes about fellow actors and directors, Dench's story exudes humor, joy, and courage.  There are no scandals, no nasty revelations, no invasions of anyone's privacy.  This book is by Judi and about Judi, but without the ego you might expect from a beloved Oscar-winning actress.  I would recommend this memoir to any fan of Judi Dench and to anyone who is interested in life in the theater.  I thoroughly enjoyed it!