Knock Wood

Candice writes openly about her upbringing and her struggles. She takes you on her journey of finding herself and happiness.

I have read several memoirs of individual's whose careers have been in the limelight. Candice Bergen's Knock Wood contained the most intelligence and understanding of her everyday moments. It helped that she kept a diary to reference life events. What comes across clearly is how Candice possesses a mature assurance as a writer which she lacked as a budding newcomer, so the insights prove doubly revealing.I did wonder if her father's passing prompted (on a subconscious level) Candice to invest more into her acting craft since she would not be riddled with guilt at eclipsing her father. Edgar Bergen entertained vast audiences in the vaudeville scene and eventually on a popular radio show as a ventriloquist using a puppet named Charlie. It is rich psychological fodder to consider the impact of being a ventriloquist had on Edgar and his family. Without a doubt, Candice and her father shared a special bond that emphasized the lack of quality men in her company.I comprehend even more why the role of Murphy Brown (not discussed in the book) appealed to Candice. Both had journalist attributes, a steely exterior belying a lovely, compassionate person, crusader for causes, financially independent, and not made anxious by solitude.It is almost befitting that I read this a few weeks prior to Father's Day. Candice spotlighted her father in the position of one who adored and loved the man. A mutual respect demonstrated through sparring may have been the immature way they interacted while Candice was a young woman, but in the end, honest communication was introduced. It healed. Family relationships are rarely turbulent free. It is more a matter of adapting and finding what each person needs as you and the world change.

Candice Bergen is a gifted writer and covers a lot of her life in fast & fun ways! This book gives one an "in"on old Hollywood where she grew up. Loved it and followed it up by her latest book "A Fine Romance".

It’s an older book and well worth the read! Since I have been following CB on Instagram, her life became more interesting! She did some super fun things as a kid. When your parents are friends with Walt Disney, you get to try out a lot of cool rides & toys before they are introduced to the public. She’s had an interesting childhood. I am not done reading this book & I ordered her other book, about her life with her husband, Louis Malle.

Thank you!

Candice Bergen can do no wrong in my book. She has always been a class act. Terrifically talented throughout her long and varied career, with a unique style and beauty all her own. I just ordered a wonderful movie she starred in with Sean Connery many moons ago: I can't seem to find it at the moment...it is probably staring me in the face and if it could bite, I'd be ailing right now. It is a magnificent picture dealing with tribes in the Mideast when England ruled some of the territories there, and when Teddy Roosevelt was President in our wonderful United States of America. Get it!

Well written with great humor. Bergen spends time talking about growing up as the "sister" of Charlie McCarthy. As an only child, she longed for approval from her father and had a somewhat distant relationship with her mother. The book covers her childhood and high school years and includes her dropping out (being asked to leave) University of Pennsylvania. That was a disappointment to me as there are so many who would have loved to have had that opportunity and she just threw it away. Bergen tries to address her life of privilege and how things seem to just be handed to her.

Amusing tale of growing up in competition with her father's creativity. Always in competition with a "dummy". Candice tells the story without rancor and with humor. She's had an interesting life and she tells it with grace and humor. If you like her, you'll like the book.

As a fan of Murphy Brown, I bought this expected it to focus on the show and her movie career. Sadly I couldn't get past the childhood years. I know that's the way an autobiography works, but I gave up after 60 pages. Such a large portion is devoted to her childhood that I find it hard going and dull in places. I wouldn't recommend this if you are looking for humour or insight. Apologies, I know it's true to life but it wasn't what I expected. I will say that it arrived in two days though and in good condition.

Am still reading this. Very well written and very interesting perspective of the world of entertainment. Highly recommended.

Much better than I expected. This book outstrips the usual celebrity biography and is well worth reading.

A very well written and honest autobiography. Her childhood as well as early adulthood are quite unique and intriguing. A highly recommended read. Looking forward to reading the recently published second memoir which covers Candice's later years.

Quando bo ricevuto questo libro dagli USA mi sono accorta che mi ha aperto un mondo e l'anima di una splendida creatura. Lo considero un testo raro, un tesoro che ho collocato un un posto che mi e' caro nella mia libreria - accanto alla mia poltrona preferita. E' tutto molto interessante, sia nella sua veste esteriore, non e' un paperback, ha la copertina dura, pubblicato nel 1984, sia per il fatto che Ms Bergen domostra una padronanza da studiosa della storia americana qui trattata e dell'arte dello scrivere. Ho molto gradito la descrizione delle due origini svedesi. Auguri di ogni bene, Candice!.....Ho anche acquistato il seguito "A Fine Romance".