Kitchen Privileges : A Memoir

Additional Kitchen Privileges : A Memoir Information

In her long-awaited memoir, Mary Higgins Clark, America's beloved and bestselling Queen of Suspense, recounts the early experiences that shaped her as a person and influenced her as a writer.

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 about the people and things she observed.

Along with all Americans, those who lived in New York City's borough of the Bronx suffered during the Depression. So it followed that when Mary's father died, her mother, deciding to open the family home to boarders, placed a discreet sign next to the front door that read, FURNISHED ROOMS. KITCHEN PRIVILEGES. Very shortly the first in a succession of tenants arrived: a couple dodging bankruptcy who moved in with their wild-eyed boxer; a teacher who wept endlessly over her lost love; a deadbeat who tripped over a lamp while trying to sneak out in the middle of the night...

The family's struggle to make ends meet; her days as a scholarship student in an exclusive girls' academy; her after-school employment as a hotel switchboard operator (happily listening in on the guests' conversations); the death of her beloved older brother in World War II; her brief career as a flight attendant for Pan Am (a job taken after a friend who flew with the airline said ever so casually, "God, it was beastly hot in Calcutta"); her marriage to Warren Clark, on whom she'd had a crush for many years; sitting at the kitchen table, writing stories, and finally selling the first one for one hundred dollars (after six years and some forty rejections!) -- all these experiences figure into Kitchen Privileges, as does her husband's untimely death, which left her a widowed mother of five young children.

Determined to care for her family and to make a career for herself, she went to work writing scripts for a radio show, but in her spare time she began writing novels. Her first, a biographical novel about the life of George Washington titled Aspire to the Heavens, found a publisher but disappeared without a trace when the publisher folded. (Recently it was rediscovered by a descendant of the Washington family and was reissued under the title Mount Vernon Love Story.) The experience, however, gave her the background and the preparation for writing Where Are the Children? which went on to become an international bestseller. That novel launched her career and was the first of twenty-seven (and still counting!) bestselling books of suspense.

As Mary Higgins Clark has said when asked if she might consider giving up writing for a life of leisure, "Never! To be happy for a year, win the lottery. To be happy for life, love what you do."

In Kitchen Privileges, she reflects on the joy that her life as a writer has brought her, and shares with readers the love that she has found.

What Customers Say About Kitchen Privileges : A Memoir:

Whether or not you are a Mary Higgins Clark fan, this makes a good read. Clark writes as well about her own lfe as she does her fiction stories. A very quick read but worth it. Ms. You can immerse yourself in the story and be sorry to have it end. Read and enjoy.

and she did, too,when her first husband died leaving her a widowed mother of fiveyoung children.determined to make a career for herself, sheturned to writing.And that was the best part of the book. yet I was curiousas to what made her tick; hence, my interest in this book.She grew up during the Depression. Heard KITCHEN PRIVILEGES, a memoir written and read by Mary Higgins Clark.For those few who don't recognize the name, she's a prolific author of suspense novels--many of which I've enjoyed. I found myselfpulling for her, even as she went some six years and fortyrejections before getting her first story published.My only regret is that I would have liked to have seen moreof her life after she became a successful writer. when her father died,Mary's mother opened the home to boarders and placed a signnext to the front door that read: "Furnished Rooms. Kitchen Privileges."Her family struggled to make ends meet. thisbook only takes readers through her first bestseller, WHEREARE THE CHILDREN. a follow-up effort is definitely needed

I find this enormously entertaining and I am fascinated by autobiographies. This is a great book.

I really felt honored to be allowed to share in her life story and was sadden when the book ended. This memoir is truly a great example of what a special person Mary Higgins Clark is. You won't regret reading this one.I read it in one sitting and one day--I couldn't put it down. This woman was born under a special star and her mother had the wonderful insight to recognize it and encourage it to blossom.As I read this I actually felt as if I were one of those neighbors who were privileged [but didn't know it at the time] enough to be allowed to came and sit and chat at the kitchen table and listen in to the wonderful stories. Mary Higgens Clark has had her share of grief and yet she is humble enough to share those private moments with us and to managed to rise above the pain to become the wonderful sister, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and writer that she truly is. Trust me--you won't be able to either. A-Must-Read for those who love Mary Higgens Clark and Memoirs.

My Mother has been suffering from memory issues. Apparently it was in large print and she loved it. We recently lucked out and found a prescription drug that has helped her focus more than she has in years. We couldn't believe it when she told us she read a book (the only book she's read in several years) that she borrowed from a friend at her Assisted Living facility. I personally haven't read it, but she did pass it on to her older sister (83) and youger sister (77) and my sister 50) who all read it and said it was great. So, probably good gift idea for those form the depression era.