Once Upon a Time Audiobook By J.Randy Taraborrelli cover art

Once Upon a Time

Behind the Fairy Tale of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier

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Once Upon a Time

By: J.Randy Taraborrelli
Narrated by: Edward Herrmann
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Actress Grace Kelly was swept away when the handsome Price Rainier, a man she barely knew, asked for her hand in marriage. If she married Rainier, she would be more than just a movie star, she would be Her Serene Royal Highness Princess Grace. Once in the palace, however, Grace found herself trapped in a fairy tale of her own making. Grace and Rainier may have been royalty, but they were also husband and wife, and parents, and, as such, just as vulnerable to the conflicts that can contaminate any household. Drawing upon hundreds of exclusive interviews with family and friends, Once Upon a Time portrays its subjects with passion and sympathy, revealing Grace, Rainier, Caroline, Albert, and Stephanie in ways both startling and compelling.©2003 Rose Books (P)2003 Time Warner AudioBooks. a division on the AOL Time Warner Book Group. Actors Entertainment & Celebrities Historical Politics & Activism Royalty Celebrity Marriage Inspiring

Critic reviews

"Illuminating political intrigue and complex family dynamics...vivid, full-blooded portraits." (Publishers Weekly)
Beautiful Story • Excellent Narration • Honorable Biography • Fine Research • Effective Reader • Captivating Voice
Highly rated for:
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Great story - yet is a tragedy
Wish the author mentioned more of Hitchcock and how influential he was to Grace’s career.

Narrator

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I belong to a royal book club at work. A co-worker suggested this book and we all loved. I’ve listened to the audio twice. Loved the narrator’s voice. Parenting was Grace Kelly’s challenge in life IMO. Great writer!

Book Club

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I really enjoyed this book & narration by one of my favorite actors, Edward Herrmann. I have two letters from Princess Grace, met her brother, "Kell" (John B. Kelly, Jr.) in his office in Philadelphia on my 30th Birthday, met & shook hands with Prince Rainier, & met & talked to Prince Albert, Princess Grace & Princess Stephanie at various Princess Grace Foundation events. Randy Taraborrelli is to be congratulated on the fine research & writing he did in this book. I felt I was with him with every event covered. Edward Herrmann is excellent narrating this book. He's on of my favorite actors. I guarantee anyone who is a fan of Grace Kelly/Princess Grace will enjoy this book.

Not All Fairy Tales End "Happily Everafter"

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Would you consider the audio edition of Once Upon a Time to be better than the print version?

Yes I would, the audio editon makes the book come "alive" for the reader.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Once Upon a Time?

The ending...to see how the main character's life actually affected the masses outside of her family.

What about Edward Herrmann’s performance did you like?

Everything, he is a very effective reader.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Overall the book was very good.

Any additional comments?

It is my alternative to listening to music...I read constantly now that I puchased a Kindle six months ago. I had not read a book for enjoyment in decades...within the last six months I have read 25 books. Now with audio ...that number will probably double. Audio makes reading more enjoyable. It is fasinating that you can actually pick the narrator for your books. I continue to be amazed at the flexiblity of Kindle...it has open many doors for me..

Fantastic Book!

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It’s always enjoyable to read about interesting figures in pop-culture; however one thing I don’t like about biographies set in the present or the recent past, is that towards the end when they get to “the present” it’s often outdated. Reading about Prince Rainier’s future is a little odd since he’s dead!

Another example: I recently saw a biography featuring Charles & Camilla and all the Royal Pundits were unanimous that they could NEVER get married… ever!... kinda stupid now that they’ve been happily-hitched since 2005!

Other than that one annoyance, it was a pleasant read.

Pleasant

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Loved it, learn a lot. Very interesting and captivating, of course still unanswered questions about the crash that took her life.

VERY informative

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Totally enjoyed this. If it’s all true, it’s an amazing biography. It’s about an interesting, strong woman and the choices she made. Loved this!

Seemed thorough

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I wish this had been available in unabridged form-I hate abridged versions if I can avoid it. Having said that, this is pretty good. Edward Herrmann is an excellent narrator; it makes me think of the style & content of an article in "Vanity Fair" magazine, only longer. I was looking for something about the Ranier marriage that was not sensational; I got that. The author gives an introduction to the book & he is then interviewed (rather lengthy) after the book ends. It was published in 2003 so is not up to date on the death of Prince Ranier & the further doings of their children.

Like a lengthy "Vanity Fair" magazine article.

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Absolutely loved this book. Such a beautiful story and it is written beautifully. So glad I listened to it!

Beautifully written!

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I was looking for something more informative, less gossipy. So much of Princess Grace's life is so well-known; this book didn't provide revelatory passages of any complexity.

Also, the book is out-of-date. Ranier is dead; Albert has assumed the throne. The new prince's clandestine oat-sowing has made the news.

One question I have for the author is: Why do these Grimaldis even bother to call themselves Catholic? A chapter on hypocrisy would have been welcome. (I'm not religious, but then again, I'm neither movie star, Hello magazine material, nor a petty despot.




Too shallow

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