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  • Things I Couldn't Tell My Mother

  • My Autobiography
  • By: Sue Johnston
  • Narrated by: Sue Johnston
  • Length: 7 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (304 ratings)

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Things I Couldn't Tell My Mother

By: Sue Johnston
Narrated by: Sue Johnston
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Summary

Sue Johnston always seemed to be disappointing her mother. As a girl she never stayed clean and tidy like her cousins. As she grew older, she spent all her piano lesson money on drinks for her mates down the pub, and when she discovered the Cavern she was never at home. The final straw was when Sue left her steady job at a St Helens factory to try her hand at that unsteadiest of jobs: acting.

Yet when Sue was bringing up her own child alone, her mother was always there to help. And playing her much-loved characters Sheila Grant and Barbara Royle – although her mum wouldn’t say she was proud as such, she certainly seemed to approve. And in her mother’s final months, it was Sue she needed by her side.

The relationship with your mother is perhaps the most precious and fraught of any woman’s life. When she began writing, Sue set out to record ‘all the big things, and all the small things. Everything I wanted to tell my mother but felt I never could’. The result is a warm, poignant and often very funny memoir by one of Britain’s favourite actresses.

©2011 Sue Johnston (P)2011 Random House Audio Go
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What listeners say about Things I Couldn't Tell My Mother

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  • Overall
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a gentle journey we can all relate to

gentle bedtime listening I had to keep rewinding to make sure I hadn't missed anything

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Brilliant

Fascinating insight into the life of Sue. I feel I know her! Very heartwarming. Would like to have met her mum and dad!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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What a lady Sue Johnston is

An amazing book (audible book) this is. A full insight into the life of the legend that is Sue Johnston. A must read, if you’ve not had the privilege of doing so yet. 5 Star.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

From the heart

Lovely to get to know more about the women behind her on screen persona x

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Didn't want it to end.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book, I've saved a part of my day to listen to it. I've laughed and cried as Sue read passages that I could relate to. I would just like to say thank you. x

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heartfelt biography

I so enjoyed listening to Sue Johnston, she has an easy voice to listen to and so much of her growing up I could relate to being roughly the same age, I felt very moved listening to certain parts of her story but loved it and would recommend.

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An amazing story

I have heard a good number of stories by female actors and in some occasions been disappointed. This book did not disappoint. Sue’s honesty and ‘feet firmly on the ground’ approach to life is refreshing. Great actir now writer. Thanks Sue

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    5 out of 5 stars

Honest and Entertaining

I heard Sue in various interviews discussing her book and I was not disappointed by it. (Unlike Ricky Tomlinson's) Her style is just as she is and her tales are warm and well told.
I would thoroughly recommend this book.

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brilliant

warm, funny and completely well written and read. I would recommend it to anyone.

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An honest memoir

I really enjoyed most of this memoir. It was honest and humble, and generous to her family and friends. The only downer was it was a bit too much like a psychotherapy session at times. But otherwise well written and absorbing.

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