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Florence Foster Jenkins

The Life of the World's Worst Opera Singer
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( 263 ratings, 66 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Florence Foster Jenkins by Darryl W. Bullock is a captivating biography that delves into the life of Florence Foster Jenkins, a wealthy New York heiress and socialite. Known for her enthusiastic yet notoriously off-key operatic performances, Jenkins became an unlikely musical sensation in the early 20th century. The book explores her unyielding passion for music and her determination to perform despite her lack of traditional talent, painting a portrait of a woman driven by a love for the arts and the support of her adoring but amused fans.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this biography if you are fascinated by eccentric characters and the power of determination. This book delves into the life of a society woman with an unwavering love for music and performance, despite lacking musical talent. Her story is both humorous and inspiring, celebrating the beauty of following one's passion against all odds.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

The biography of Florence Foster Jenkins, considered the worldÆs worst opera singer, soon to be portrayed by Meryl Streep in the forthcoming film.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

“Probably the most complete and absolute lack of talent ever publicly displayed in Manhattan.” Life magazine

Madame Jenkins couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket: despite that, in 1944 at the age of 76, she played Carnegie Hall to a capacity audience and had celebrity fans by the score. Her infamous 1940s recordings are still highly-prized today. In his well-researched and thoroughly entertaining biography, Florence Foster Jenkins, Darryl W. Bullock tells of Florence Foster Jenkins’s meteoric rise to success, and the man who stood beside her through every sharp note.

Florence was ridiculed for her poor control of timing, pitch, and tone, and terrible pronunciation of foreign lyrics, but the sheer entertainment value of her caterwauling packed out theatres around the United States, with the ‘singer’ firmly convinced of her own talent, partly thanks to the devoted attention from her husband and manager St Clair Bayfield. Her story is one of triumph in the face of adversity, of courage, conviction and of the belief that with dedication and commitment a true artist can achieve anything.

With a major Hollywood movie about her life currently due for release in May 2016 starring Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant and Simon Helberg, the genius of Florence Foster Jenkins is about to be discovered by a whole new audience.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Darryl Bullock's biography of Florence Foster Jenkins is warmly received as a delightful and cheering read, capturing the essence of this remarkable figure through exclusive interviews and intriguing original photography. The book is praised for providing a comprehensive account of Jenkins' life, exploring her unique story in detail.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780715651063

Publisher: Duckworth Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 April 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Duckworth

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 132.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 240

About the Author

Darryl W. Bullock is a writer and publisher living in Bristol. He has edited the popular blog www.worldsworstrecords.blogspot.com since 2007 and is author of The World's Worst Records: An Arcade of Audio Atrocity, Volume One and Two.

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