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Kitchen Privileges: Memoirs of a Bronx Girlhood Audiobook
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(3.04) - 966 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Even as a young girl, growing up in the Bronx, Mary Higgins Clark knew she wanted to be a writer, The gift of storytelling was a part of her Irish ancestry, so it followed naturally that she would later use her sharp eye, keen intelligence, and inquisitive nature to create stories.
Along with all Americans, citizens of the Bronx suffered during the Depression. So when Mary's father died, her mother opened the family home to boarders and placed a discreet sign next to the front door that read, "Furnished Rooms. Kitchen Privileges."
The family's struggle to make ends meet; her days as a scholarship student in an exclusive girls academy; the death of her beloved older brother in World War II; her marriage to Warren Clark; writing stories at the kitchen table; finally selling the first one for one hundred dollars, after six years and forty rejections -- all these experiences figure into Kitchen Privileges.
Her husband's untimely death left her a widowed mother of five young children. Determined to care for her family an& to make a career for herself, she wrote scripts for a radio show. In her spare time she began writing novels. Where Are The Children? became an international bestseller and launched her career.
When asked if she might consider giving up writing for a life of leisure, Marv has replied, "Never. To be happy for a year, win the lottery. To be happy for life, do what you love."
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"I adored this book! Even if you have not read Mary Higgins Clark's mysteries, this is a fantastic memoir about her life in New York City during the early part of the last century. I bought this book for my grandmother who also grew up in New York during that time and, while she started out skeptical, she ended up loving the book and even wrote down a few of her own stories for posterity. This is also a very good audio book as the author reads it herself. Highly recommended!"
— Maryann (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This memoir shows what can be done when someone pursues her dreams, remains action-oriented and fights to overcome enormous obstacles.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Clark’s many fans will find her life just as interesting as her many novels.”
— Booklist -
“[Clark] makes the perfect narrator for her own words, capturing their deeper meaning and relishing almost every moment of her story.”
— Audiofile
Kitchen Privileges Listener Reviews
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" I love reading her books. It was great to get to know her. "
— Leslie, 2/12/2014 -
" An Autobiography of Mary Higgins Clark, listened on cd, interesting story of how someone can over come odds and become their dream, hers a writer. Not bad in anyway, just a normal life full of events like you and me, but still interesting to her her story. Read by her. "
— Shirlyn, 2/4/2014 -
" Loved it. Interesting to learn how she came to write novels and what steps she took to accomplish her writing skills... "
— Sharon, 1/27/2014 -
" Love memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies. I was amazed at how so many tragedies could fall on one person and her raising 5 children on her own. Strong woman. "
— Glori, 1/26/2014 -
" Enjoyed this book very much. Don't typically read mystery books, so I wasn't sure how a memoir by a mystery write would be, but it was a great read. Mary Higgins Clark has had a very interesting life, and it makes a good story. "
— Cathy, 1/23/2014 -
" The book is easy reading, and whether or not you read Mary Higgins Clark suspense novels, this book is excellent. It is basically her life story, only 200 pages, given in brief. There are mostly very upbeat prose, which is amazing considering the many trials she had. I highly recommend it. Great reading. "
— Judidietrich, 1/21/2014 -
" She may be the queen of suspense, but Clark's autobiography is only okay. She's led an interesting life and she is discreet, but I thought it would be more about her childhood, and it wasn't. "
— Book, 1/21/2014 -
" It was very interesting to learn about the author's experiences during the depression years, and on into her adulthood. Also, how all of that was reflected in her lifelong desire to be a writer. "
— Darleen, 1/19/2014 -
" I loved learning more about one of my favorite authors. I was fascinated to learn that as a single mother working full-time, she began writing her novels by getting up before dawn to have a few hours before her day began to write. She definitely deserves the phenomonal success she's had! "
— Sarah, 1/12/2014 -
" JUST LOVED THE BOOK. IT WAS A GREAT READ, JUST MADE ME THINK ABOUT HOW IT WAS WHEN I WAS A CHILD. "
— Barbara, 12/27/2013 -
" This book was so inspiring. Ms. Clark is amazing. "
— Yeva, 12/6/2013 -
" i loved this book...so intimate...really a perfect ending with my kick with mary higgins clark... "
— Tara, 11/12/2013 -
" I used to read all of Mary Higgins Clark's mysteries! Haven't read one in a very long time, but really enjoyed her story of how she got started. She raised 5 children pretty much all by herself after her husband's untimely death. She is a trooper as well as so very humble. A quick read. "
— Sue, 11/8/2013 -
" It was great reading about one of my favorite author's lfe. "
— Kristy, 10/29/2013 -
" What an incredible courageous woman. I can't imagine a life with such heartbreak. It's truly inspired me....to think I can when I'm not sure I can, to see joy, and to love because time passes to quickly. "
— Tiffany, 10/2/2013 -
" This sad but often funny book was very interesting and entertaining. Mary lived a very difficult life from an early age, but she knew what she wanted and never gave up on her dreams to have a family and become a published writer. "
— Stephanie, 9/6/2013 -
" I love the way she uses words. Kind of like the Amelia Earhart in the second Night at the Museum. Golly Willackers! Our lives are so different from our grandparents. I love reading about those days. You made your own way! Motivating, easy read. I'd read it again. "
— Renee, 7/22/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book very much. I'm so used to her amazing fiction writing, that I never thought of her as a REAL person, until I read this book. It gave us a view of the "other" Mary Higgins Clark, the story behind the fiction books. "
— Mandy, 5/7/2013 -
" Enjoyed her story. Like the way she writes. "
— Janeen, 3/12/2012 -
" Interesting memoir. Easy and pretty entertaining. "
— Bonnie, 1/18/2012 -
" This is an autobiographic recollection from the authors early years. I found it an enjoyable read. "
— J, 9/14/2011 -
" An easy read. It just goes to show, some of the greatest writers have to suffer a lot of hardship and grief before making it big... The moral is to never give up! "
— Lillia, 7/22/2011 -
" A memoir of another time. Clark lived through the Great Depression as a child. Always interesting to see how the world has changed over the past almost-100 years through the eyes of someone who paid attention, and to see how someone got to where they are now. "
— F.S., 7/18/2011 -
" I think I have read every Mary Higgins Clark book there is, including Mount Vernon Love Story. However, I also really like biographies, so this was a nice intersection of the two. It is always nice to read about the person writing the stories and how they got started. "
— Holly, 7/8/2011 -
" I read this a long time ago but loved it, really great book! "
— Sophia, 7/3/2011 -
" Supposedly autobiographical. Nothing to rave about. Not the usual Higgin Clark suspense genre. "
— Pat, 6/30/2011 -
" This was an excellent book. I have read many of her books over the years and it is interesting to read her story. "
— Amanda, 6/9/2011 -
" This was an excellent book. I have read many of her books over the years and it is interesting to read her story. "
— Amanda, 4/15/2011 -
" A lightly written but engaging telling of the author's life. Not a lot of long detail, you won't get bored, but enough to see her as a person. Enjoyable. "
— Keilani, 1/11/2011 -
" Loved reading about one of my favorite authors. She is a true life survivor! What can I say...I am a memoir-lover! A fun very-quick read. "
— Cheryl, 1/8/2011 -
" A memoir of another time. Clark lived through the Great Depression as a child. Always interesting to see how the world has changed over the past almost-100 years through the eyes of someone who paid attention, and to see how someone got to where they are now. "
— F.S., 1/1/2011 -
" I read this a long time ago but loved it, really great book! "
— Sophia, 12/15/2010 -
" Enjoyed her story. Like the way she writes. "
— Janeen, 9/30/2010 -
" I listened to this in the car and at first thought it was tough to get into - a little boring. However, as I became more and more invested in the character (author Mary Higgins Clark), I became more and more engrossed in what would happen next. Very interesting life. "
— Kathy, 8/13/2010 -
" I love the way she uses words. Kind of like the Amelia Earhart in the second Night at the Museum. Golly Willackers! Our lives are so different from our grandparents. I love reading about those days. You made your own way! Motivating, easy read. I'd read it again. "
— Renee, 8/11/2010 -
" Even if you aren't a fan a Mary Higgins Clark's mystery novels, this is an enjoyable autobiography (although sad at times. There are more deaths than one of her mysteries!) There are tips for wannabe writers. "
— Kirei, 8/5/2010 -
" Mary Higgins Clark is one of my favorite authors. It was interesting to hear what a full life she has led. "
— Audra, 7/26/2010 -
" This would be better if the author had NOT read her own book. "
— Amy, 7/14/2010 -
" It was great reading about one of my favorite author's lfe. "
— Kristy, 6/28/2010 -
" it was interesting to learn about her life and how she became a writer. short - only 200 pages "
— Melissa, 6/23/2010 -
" A story about the depression era, and how one family survives by taking out borders. Well written. "
— Vonda, 6/12/2010
About Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark (1927–2020) was the author of worldwide bestsellers that sold more than one hundred million copies in the United States alone. Twenty-one of her books reached the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. She was chosen by Mystery Writers of America as Grand Master of the 2000 Edgar Awards. An annual Mary Higgins Clark Award sponsored by Simon & Schuster, to be given to authors of suspense fiction writing in the Mary Higgins Clark tradition, was launched by Mystery Writers of America in 2001. She was the 1987 president of Mystery Writers of America and, for many years, served on their board of directors. In 1988, she served as chairperson of the International Crime Congress.