Born with Teeth

Starred review from February 9, 2015
In Mulgrew’s assured gem of a memoir, fans of the actress (Star Trek: Voyager, Orange is the New Black) will delight in discovering her writing chops are as accomplished as her award-winning acting. Growing up, she lived in Derby Grange, a massive 1850s house in Dubuque, Iowa, where Mulgrew and her seven siblings enjoyed magical childhoods. Her eccentric artist mother, whose best friend was Jean Kennedy Smith, sent the budding actress to New York at 18, where she studied with the legendary Stella Adler. Mulgrew’s career took off quickly when she landed the lead in the soap Ryan’s Hope in 1975. Her unplanned pregnancy during that time was written into the script, although only a handful knew the baby girl was placed for adoption at birth. The events devastated Mulgrew, as did the early deaths of two beloved siblings and a rape she survived near her Manhattan apartment. But she kept moving forward, powerfully devoted to her life through broken romantic relationships, the joy of getting the lucrative starring role in Star Trek: Voyager, and finding her daughter at last in 2007. Mulgrew’s mother was her muse and true confidante, until the first signs of Alzheimer’s appeared. Readers will savor Mulgrew’s gift for erudite, honest writing and want to read more about her mesmerizing life.

In this engrossing memoir, author-narrator Kate Mulgrew recounts her life from her quirky Midwest childhood to her starring role in "Star Trek: Voyager." Through her impeccable pacing, lively characterizations, and expressive delivery, listeners will readily sense her well-deserved pride in her accomplishments as well as her deep regrets, including her heartbreaking decision to give her daughter up for adoption. Avoiding melodrama, Mulgrew speaks quite frankly about her personal troubles and her hopes for love and redemption. Fans will be fascinated by her career arc, and though she has stories to tell, she respectfully avoids gossip and sensationalism. Mulgrew's strong stage presence and genuine emotions will make listeners want to experience this audiobook all in one go. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine