And Furthermore

Synopsis

The SUNDAY TIMES bestselling memoir of Britain's best-loved actress, Dame Judi Dench.

'She's been one of our favourite actresses for five decades, and now ...AND FURTHERMORE gives an insight into her sensational career and how she coped after losing her husband to cancer in 2001' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

'Vivid and engaging' WOMAN & HOME

'The most popular as well as the greatest actress of her age' THE LADY

From the moment Judi Dench appeared as a teenager in the York Mystery Plays it was clear that acting would be her career. Trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama it was her performance in her twenties as Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's memorable Old Vic production that turned her into a star. In the theatre since she has played every classic role from Titania to Cleopatra.

She first became a household name via television, thanks initially to a sitcom, A FINE ROMANCE, in which she played alongside the actor Michael Williams, whom she married in 1971. She has since made nine series of another sitcom, AS TIME GOES BY (with Geoffrey Palmer), as well as plays and classic serials such as CRANFORD. In the cinema her films have ranged from LADIES IN LAVENDER (opposite Maggie Smith) through NOTES ON A SCANDAL with Cate Blanchett to SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, in which she played Queen Elizabeth, a role which gained her a Hollywood Oscar. But it is her role as 'M' in seven James Bond films that has gained her worldwide recognition.

This book is, however, much more than a career record. Her marriage to Michael Williams, their daughter, and her impish sense of humour contribute vividly to her account of more than half a century as Britain's best-loved actress.

Summary

The novel And Furthermore by Martha Stewart is an intriguing collection of stories about life, adventure, family, and friends. The stories are narratives of episodes from the author’s life when she was growing up in Nutley, New Jersey. The chapters vary from humorous reminiscences to thought-provoking pieces about life experiences, reflecting the different aspects of her personality.

The first chapter of the book, titled “The Magic of Being Young,” tells the story of Martha’s childhood. She talks about how she used to practice the piano, enjoy putting on plays, and exploring the world with her siblings and neighborhood friends. She also captures the joy of learning new things and taking part in activities that fill her with pride. One particular episode stands out: when Martha was in the fourth grade, she wrote a clever article about a tree that grew in her backyard and her neighbors wouldn’t help her figure out why it grew there. The piece was so well-written that it was selected to be published in the local newspaper.

In the second chapter, “Family Matters,” Martha reflects on the importance of family and how it has shaped her life. She describes the close relationship she had with her parents and siblings, and the moments they shared that are deeply embedded in her memories. She recalls how her father used to take her out on fishing trips when she was younger, and how those trips turned fishing from something mundane into something that she could make a hobby for the rest of her life. Martha also writes about how her mother’s never-ending optimism kept her spirits high.

The third chapter “Life’s Jewelry Box” revolves around Martha’s experiences in finding and enjoying the little things in life, such as collecting shells on the beach, picking flowers to put in a vase, or tracing the pattern of a snowflake. She emphasizes that life is a journey filled with simple moments like these that make us appreciate the beauty of life.

In the fourth chapter “The Pendant of Memories,” Martha writes about her mother and how her memory continues to bring her peace and joy. She recounts the stories of various adventures and moments they spent together as a family, and how her mother “taught [her] the power of happiness and the reliability of faith”.

In the fifth chapter, “The Language of Freedom,” Martha writes about her thoughts and feelings on freedom. She recounts how freedom means different things to different people, but that it should be celebrated no matter how it is interpreted. She also talks about the importance of self-expression and how it can be a form of freedom. Her words are a reminder to always stay true to yourself and to never settle for less than what you want in life.

The sixth chapter, “Return to Home,” brings the book to a full circle, when Martha’s journey brings her back to Nutley, the place she grew up in. She talks about how things had changed, but also how some things never changed. She reflects on how the places one grows up in leave an imprint on our hearts, no matter how far away we are from them physically.

Martha Stewart's book, And Furthermore, offers readers tales of exploration, growth, and life-long memories that capture the essence of youth and remind us to not forget the simple beauty of life. Whether it is shopping with friends, fishing with family, or starting a small business, the stories and recollections in the book reveal the significance of a life well lived.