Fools Rush in: Amazon.co.uk: Anthea Turner: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

The celebrity memoir is a dangerous beast, and Fools Rush In by television personality Anthea Turner certainly knows how to bare its teeth. Cleverly ghost-written by romance writer Wendy Holden, the pace here is fast and breathless, and pages turn fast; this is certainly a recommended holiday read for fans of Hello! and OK!. Tracing her origins from the English Pottery district, through her rise to Auntie's prime-time sugar babe and on to the sticky mess of her marriage break up, Turner is remarkably frank throughout. She exposes the frailties of those around her--ex-fiance Bruno Brookes' dangerous temper and Eamonn Holmes' "ultimate betrayal". Even ex-husband Peter Powell's tendency to be "emotionally distant--we didn't share a marital bed"-- is laid bare (remarkable considering Peter Powell is still Turner's manager and therefore sanctioned the book)--this story is filled with titbits of gossip that can be described as both meaty and tacky in equal measures.

Turner's truthfulness--at least, the truth as seen through her own, Peter-Pan eyes--seems unquestionable, and while this latest contender for the Turner Prize for Publicity leaves ex-lovers shivering naked in the spotlight, Anthea perhaps tells us more about herself than she intends by dropping in priceless quotes. "I was at the very peak of my career, rivalled only, according to one paper, as the blonde most little girls wanted to be" she lisps blithely, before informing us "I'm a big Michael Flatley fan". More telling are her recurrent references to money, from "Pete and I divorced for #127.50" to "It has cost Grant and I over 1 million pounds to be together"; but most dangerous of all are her over-earnest justifications as she faced trial by her public. Surely it is the relationship with her young stepdaughters, who she clumsily mentions and should have left well alone, which needs work. Anthea Turner hoped to set the record straight with this autobiography. Instead with Fools Rush In--hugely entertaining for all the wrong reasons--she may have made things worse. There was once a time when it looked like chocolate wouldn't melt in the mouth of TV's golden girl, now it seems a certain Cadburys' snowflake bar--as shown ill-advisedly in a wedding publicity snap--has melted her perfect image. --Eilidh McLean

Review

'So honest that the book is a compelling read.' WOMAN'S WAY 'The celebrity memoir is a dangerous beast, and Fools Rush In by television personality Anthea Turner certainly knows how to bare its teeth. Cleverly ghost-written by romance writer Wendy Holden, the pace here is fast and breathless, and pages turn fast; this is certainly a recommended holiday read for fans of Hello! and OK!. Tracing her origins from the English Pottery district, through her rise to Auntie's prime-time sugar babe and on to the sticky mess of her marriage break up, Turner is remarkably frank throughout. She exposes the frailties of those around her--ex-fiance Bruno Brookes' dangerous temper and Eamonn Holmes' "ultimate betrayal". Even ex-husband Peter Powell's tendency to be "emotionally distant--we didn't share a marital bed"-- is laid bare (remarkable considering Peter Powell is still Turner's manager and therefore sanctioned the book)--this story is filled with titbits of gossip that can be described as both meaty and tacky in equal measures. Turner's truthfulness--at least, the truth as seen through her own, Peter-Pan eyes--seems unquestionable, and while this latest contender for the Turner Prize for Publicity leaves ex-lovers shivering naked in the spotlight, Anthea perhaps tells us more about herself than she intends by dropping in priceless quotes. "I was at the very peak of my career, rivalled only, according to one paper, as the blonde most little girls wanted to be" she lisps blithely, before informing us "I'm a big Michael Flatley fan". More telling are her recurrent references to money, from "Pete and I divorced for #127.50" to "It has cost Grant and I over 1 million pounds to be together"; but most dangerous of all are her over-earnest justifications as she faced trial by her public. Surely it is the relationship with her young stepdaughters, who she clumsily mentions and should have left well alone, which needs work. Anthea Turner hoped to set the record straight with this autobiography. Instead with Fools Rush In--hugely entertaining for all the wrong reasons--she may have made things worse. There was once a time when it looked like chocolate wouldn't melt in the mouth of TV's golden girl, now it seems a certain Cadburys' snowflake bar--as shown ill-advisedly in a wedding publicity snap--has melted her perfect image.' - Eilidh McLean, AMAZON.CO.UK REVIEW

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

Quite a nice read 22 April 2006

By JulieB VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I've never been much of an Anthea fan, but I did warm to her a little after watching her new series of 'Perfect Housewife' on BBC3 and this prompted me to find out a little more about her as a person. Its quite a good read actually, very sad in places especially when she talks about her sister, and it was interesting to find out her side of the story for things such as the Eamon/Anthea feud and also Flakegate! She has definitely had her ups and downs in life and this made it an interesting read. A good book to take away on holiday in my opinion.

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

Actually it's quite a good read..... 5 April 2007

By H. Frost

Like a lot of the other reviewers listed above, I was never really much of an Anthea fan before her Perfect Housewife series appeared on our screens.

After becoming addicted to that programme (and buying her recent How to be a Perfect Housewife book), I too found that I would like to read a little bit more about Ms Turner.

I wouldn't say the book was slushy or self indulgent - just honest, and I found it an enlightning and interesting insight into the life and career of a woman who was at one time the golden girl of our TV screens.

Anyway, I actually read the book from cover to cover in 24 hours (mind you I was in bed ill!), and really enjoyed it. It would be an excellent book to take on holiday!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

slightly underated if you want my honest opinion 14 Nov 2000

By A Customer

While I was sceptical when I first picked up the book, it does have a certain charm and effervesence that makes it a good read. It is fast paced and with insights into Bruno 'bruiser' Brooks's behaviour, it does give you something to feast on.