Kristi Groteke was Mia Farrow's nanny for several years, and became her friend and confident. Although she tries to suggest that Mia was okay with her writing this book, I seriously doubt if that was the case, for this tell-all tome, while essentially sympathetic to Farrrow, is unsparing and unflinching in its depiction of the actress and her relationship with long-time partner (but not spouse) Woody Allen and her children. As everyone knows, Allen's sexual and romantic relationship with Farrow's daughter, Soon-Yi Previn (adopted by Farrow and her then-husband Andre Previn) is what caused the sensational, lurid and distasteful split with Farrow. The book reveals that Soon-Yi has a very low IQ, but it also goes into intensely personal details about the other children, who should have been spared such scrutiny. The book is well-written and exhaustive, and also examines at length the charges that Allen molested his daughter, Dylan, and several court documents and statements are reproduced. In attempts to have a sensational bestseller, Groteke may have gone a little overboard (especially where the Innocent children are concerned), but this is undeniably a riveting and "juicy" read. This book was one of the sources for the telefilm Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story. Groteke undoubtedly got a bundle of cash for both book and movie, but I don't know if it did anyone else any good.
Verdict: This is why nannies should always sign confidentiality agreements! ***.
Ha! Yup, this is a guilty pleasure and page turner! Though I guess if you are a public figure, you lay yourself open to this kind of treatment.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, the butler of Marlo Thomas and Phil Donahue wrote a scathing tell-all about life with the Donahues--it was pretty nasty but a fun read. A couple of years later, I met Miss Thomas and she couldn't have been more sweet and kind and gracious; I felt guilty for having paid for that book years earler...
Another awesome roundup as always, Bill! I always look forward to your Great Old Movies!
-Chris
Thank you, Chris, and keep those posts of yours coming -- you really do a great job with your blog!
ReplyDeleteNow of course I have to HUNT DOWN the Thomas-Donahue tell-all because I'm sure I will find it a great read, LOL.
I suppose this is why nowadays the butlers, secretaries, nannies and so on all have to sign agreements to keep their mouths shut, ha!