Book Review - Audrey Hepburn: An Elegant Spirit by Sean Hepburn Ferrer


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Book Review - Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit: A Son Remembers by Sean Hepburn Ferrer

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Few books have the power to touch the soul, but this one does. And Audrey Hepburn's story is there, in the pictures. Even if you didn't read any of the text, and didn't know who she was, you'd get the story. Some type of movie star from years back, pretty, but kind of thin and possibly a little silly looking.

But someone who transformed, into someone filled with compassion. You see the pictures of her with the frail children of Africa, and the compassion is so clear. And there's a quiet, fierce determination that's so evident in her face. The photos from 1988 to 1992 from Somalia and Ethiopia show someone, who at around 60, amazingly, has become even more beautiful. You see the face of someone, that if you saw on the street, you would just want to stop to talk to, as if clearly they knew something that you wouldn't want to miss out on.

It's hard to think of Audrey Hepburn having a serious illness and passing away. It's just sort of beyond comprehension that that could happen. But there was something interesting:

"She had talked about "the others". We didn't know what she meant. She said that they were there, waiting for her. She described them as "Amish people, waiting in a field, to the left of the bed." When we asked that she expand on this, she would gently reply, "You cannot understand. Maybe you'll understand later." It felt good to know that she had a strong sense of the other side, that she wasn't scared."

It's very inspiring to see the story of someone who had so much, but gave so much to those in need. Sean Ferrer writes:

"Former first lady Hillary Clinton used part of an old African saying to title her book: "It takes a village...to raise a child." My mother often used this saying, and she explained it in the following manner: "Parents are not enough, teachers are not enough, doctors are not enough, friends are not enough, but all of us together have a chance."

about the author:

Sean Hepburn Ferrer is Audrey Hepburn's son. He founded the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund
to continue her legacy of helping children. At the Fund's site, you can order a copy of the book, autographed by Sean Ferrer. You can also buy cards of Audrey Hepburn's drawings and paintings. All proceed go to the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund. There's a gallery of photos of Ms. Hepburn.