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My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away
My First Five Husbands And the Ones Who Got Away
Author: Rue McClanahan
“People always ask me if I’m like Blanche. And I say, ‘Well, Blanche was an oversexed, self-involved, man-killing, vain Southern Belle from Atlanta -- and I’m not from Atlanta!”  -- Rue McClanahan — Before Carrie Bradshaw and her cosmo-sipping friends on Sex and the City or the Desperate...  more » of Wisteria Lane, there were the Golden Girls -- four sassy seniors living out their years in Miami Beach. In My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away, Rue McClanahan, known for her role as everyone’s favorite Southern vixen, Blanche Devereaux, shares her personal story in a witty memoir that is every bit as colorful as the characters she plays.

From her arrival in New York with little money to her name, to her time studying with theater legend Uta Hagen, to her first television role on All in the Family, to The Golden Girls years and beyond, Rue chronicles her life in Hollywood -- and all the men (five big ones) and adventures that happened along the way. Told in Rue’s inimitable voice, and flavored with her sharp humor and vivacious Southern charm, My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away is the story of one woman’s quest to find herself. Now happily married to her soul mate, Rue is proof that many things can and do get better with age -- and that, if she keeps her wits about her, even a small-town girl can make it big.

A memoir of surprising depth and intelligence, My First Five Husbands will have you rolling with laughter, aching in empathy, and cheering out loud for this unforgettable, irrepressible star.
ISBN-13: 9780767926768
ISBN-10: 0767926765
Publication Date: 4/10/2007
Pages: 352
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 21

3.5 stars, based on 21 ratings
Publisher: Broadway
Book Type: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 2
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

daredevilgirl013 avatar reviewed My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away on + 746 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
This book gives a really detailed look into Rue's life. You would never have guessed the things she did through her years (like have an abortion) and the jobs she took on to get where she is. It is a bit of a slow read, as it is very detailed, so you think you have read over 50 pages, but in reality you haven't read 10 yet. It is very interesting to see how she goes from nothing to something and the challenges she faces along the way. Like Blanche she does talk about sex a lot, but keeps away from the details. She only lets you know their fun factor grade, and that's it. She also throws in bits and pieces about her Golden Girl years as well here and there.

I'm not done with the book yet, but you pick up early how the rest of the book is going to go, and she even says in one part that if you don't know the outcome of this situation by now, you obviously skimmed through the last few chapters.
reviewed My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away on
Helpful Score: 2
Rue McClanahan's real life makes her Blanche character look like a nun! I did not realize how promiscuous she was, it's pretty surprising. But also hard to put the book down if you like a little gossip!
reviewed My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away on + 234 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The book was slow at times due to the amount of detail in Rue's writing. Her lifestyle does reflect her character in "The Golden Years" sitcom. I found her life to be somewhat interesting at times, and more difficult at other times than I would have imagined. She appears to be very forthcoming in her story. It is her life; a life I would not want or encourage for a daughter. I hope her sixth husband is truly her one love that sustains her throughout the remaining of her life.
reviewed My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the book. Ms McClanahan worked hard to get where she is, and after all her marriages and liasons to the wrong guys,she will enjoy her final years with a good one. She's an amazing woman,great sense of humor.
I loved hearing the stories about the Golden Girls;my mom and I always watched the shows together and shared some good laughs.
nanijo avatar reviewed My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
3:53 A.M 8/20 and I finally finished Rue's book. I've read a lot of reviews on this book (as many as I could find online) and none of them really matched up to what I think of the book. This review is going to contain spoilers ****SPOILER ALERT*** do not read ahead if you haven't read the book and plan too. This book is very well written, of course she's very articulate and knows other languages so there are bits and pieces of french, Spanish and I think German in the writing. She begins from her childhood and talks about her passion and her goals, throughout the book she is focused and doesn't give up on her dreams, she was a hard worker and very intelligent. She LOVES New York and considered that "home" since she first visited there when she was younger. In much of the beginning of the book she talks about all the plays she was in and describes the characters, and at the same time she struggles in New York living on a dime, and living with dif
ferent people (actors/actresses) in many different places. Working as a waitress to pay bills and making her own clothes with her own patterns she made from newspapers. Her Mother was like an angel, a guiding light, and the most supportive person to her, as well as her best friend. Her Mom always took really good care of Mark (Rue's one and only child), and was always willing to while Rue was pursuing her career path. Rue longed for Mark all the time but there were times when it was impossible to care for him. Along the way, Rue met many different people and did in fact enjoy the company of men who were in the same business, most of which she clicked with sexually but not much on an intellectual level. She got bored. She got married several times and noticed that the dynamics of each relationship changed when she tied the knot. Needless to say, none of the marriages worked out. I think Morrow touched her on a much deeper level then any other man. Rue loved and lost many people such as her best friend Lette to bone cancer, her Mother had a heart attack, Norman (an ex husband, but considered a best friend) to some sickness (dehydration), Brad Davis to HIV, etc.. Rue does talk about the Golden Girls a little bit towards the end of the book. At the very end of the book Rue discusses her battle with breast cancer and how much in love she is with Morrow. She ends the book with how happy she was at that moment in her life. I love the book and will probably end up reading it again.
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Readnmachine avatar reviewed My First Five Husbands ... And the Ones Who Got Away on + 1474 more book reviews
Autobiography of the actress best known for playing Blanche Devereaux in The Golden Girls.


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