Another Autobiography

I just tore through another autobiography.  This time, it's not exactly an entertainment biography, but close.  I have just read, "Love Child" by Allegra Huston.  She is the daughter of Ricki Soma, John Julius Norwich and John Huston.  Yes, that John Huston.  And, yes, there are two fathers.  I'm sure the attraction is now obvious - child of famous director, colourful characters, colourful adventures and name-dropping.

The highlights of the name-dropping proportion of the book are Jack Nicholson and Ryan O'Neal.  Her description of O'Neal goes a long way in explaining to me why the O'Neal offspring have been a handful, to put it mildly.

What I am left with, after putting the book down, is the story of a rarefied childhood, spent shunted from one place to another, trying to fit in and keep up with a family of extraordinary characters.  They are certainly fun to read about, but not necessarily to live with.  Her discomfort is pretty palpable throughout.

I'm mulling over Janet Maslin's review of the book in The New York Times.  Maslin points to what can be read between the lines and what is left unsaid.  I would have found the book far more satisfying if there had been more details and more said, but quite a few of the characters are still alive.

Love Child

by Allegra Huston

Illustrated. 289 Pages.

Simon & Schuster