Scrappy Little Nobody

October 31, 2016
In this snarky collection of personal essays, actress Kendrick recounts her early years as a theater-loving kid from Portland, Maine, who became a Hollywood “It Girl.” Since Kendrick is only 31, much of her reminiscing is concentrated on her not-so-distant childhood, beginning with her first role, at age six, in a community production of Annie. Unlike many child stars, Kendrick had a fairly normal childhood: she went to school, where she was the uncool kid (few people at home were impressed when she tried bragging about going to Sundance Film Festival). She details her desire to be in a period piece and how she got her wish with 2014’s In the Woods, telling an amusingly self-deprecating anecdote about costumes. Style is a theme, but not in the usual way of so many Hollywood memoirs. Most adult actors don’t detail how they could shop at the kids’ section of stores like L.L. Bean (let alone be caught dead at L.L. Bean) or admit that they don’t adore fashion, but in many ways Kendrick is a refreshing outlier. When she gives advice, such as how not to make eye contact with the press during film junkets, she displays real wit and comic timing on the page.

Actress Anna Kendrick narrates her wry and witty collection of autobiographical essays about growing up in Portland, Maine--or not growing--as a constant theme is that of being small; she's 5'2". Her quick pace, sometimes sarcastic tone, and unmistakably familiar voice enhance funny and shrewd reflections on her ordinary girl's life. (Apparently even stars have to attend the hell of middle school.) Moving briskly, she depicts entertaining scenes filled with dialogue, creating an array of distinct voices for those who populated her past, often ruefully recounting years-old slights with impressive detail. Self-described as a "very, very small weirdo," the author entertains listeners with her tales of early friendships, playground battles, and discovering her calling as an actress. J.C.G. � AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine