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Anne's Song
Anne's Song
Nov 12, 2024 2:35 PM

Author:Anne Nolan

Anne's Song

The Nolan Sisters swung with Sinatra, sang at the Royal Variety Performance and toured the world to crowds of adoring fans.

They were one of the first superstar girl groups.

But darkness lurked behind their glamorous, spotless public image.

As the eldest Nolan sister, Anne Nolan's life appeared exciting and glamorous - a dream come true for any young singer. Surrounded by a bevy of loving sisters, two protective brothers and parents who wanted to see their children succeed, how could Anne Nolan's childhood have been anything but idyllic?

And yet behind the fairytale script, behind the fame and glitz, lay hidden dark family secrets that have, until now, never been told. What drove a wedge between the sisters?

Anne's story begins in Dublin and moves to the club scene of Blackpool, the scenes of a secret life - one that had to remain hidden, one of fear and pain that has cast a terrible shadow over her entire life. Finally, after decades of silence, Anne Nolan reveals the brutal truth behind the Nolans' carefully cultivated image in this startling and gripping autobiography.

Reviews

Sensational

—— The Mail on Sunday

Glitz, glamour and harsh reality make this a compelling read

—— Candis

The darkness at the heart of the book, and the grim reality of post-Nolans life on the dole, is offset by Anne's lack of self-pity and indomitable spirit

—— Choice Magazine

Deeply felt and often darkly funny, Look Me in the Eye is a delight

—— People magazine

It's a fantastic life story (highlights include building guitars for KISS) told with grace, humor, and a bracing lack of sentimentality

—— Entertainment News

There's an endearing quality to Robison and his story that transcends the "Scissors" connection ... Look Me in the Eye is often drolly funny and seldom angry or self-pitying. Even when describing his fear that he'd grow up to be a sociopathic killer, Robison brings a light touch to what could be construed as dark subject matter ... Robison is also a natural storyteller and engaging conversationalist

—— Boston Globe

Robison seems likable, honest and completely free of guile, qualities well served by writing that is lean, powerful in its descriptive accuracy and engaging in its understated humor. It is also emotionally gripping

—— Chicago Tribune

Robison’s lack of finesse with language is not only forgivable, but an asset to his story . . . His rigid sentences are arguably more telling of his condition than if he had created the most graceful prose this side of Proust.

—— Chicago Sun-Times

[Blackburn] has written an exceptionally perceptive and fascinating book, a tribute by a remarkable daughter to the resilience of filial love.

—— Anne Chisholm , Sunday Telegraph

In this memoir she describes her eccentric, dangerous, wonderful bohemian parents...Blackburn emerged from this turmoil as a fine writer, and this book is full of understanding and reconciliation

—— Margaret Drabble , New Statesman

a rich account...brilliant vignettes

—— Camilla Long , Sunday Times

This piercing memoir paints in vivid colours Julia Blackburn's nightmarish childhood

—— Alison Flood , The Telegraph

Blackburn tells us about these things in a compelling authorial voice which is by turns numb and incredibly sensitive

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

Brutally honest book ...deeply moving testament to the love that can somehow survive

—— Aimee Shalan , Guardian

An extraordinary family memoir... A bohemian classic

—— Week
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