Audiobook Sample
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- Title: My Name Is Barbra
- Author: Barbra Streisand
- Narrator: Barbra Streisand
- Length: 48:17:26
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 07/11/2023
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Genre: Biography & Memoir, Memoir
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular magic that happens when a legendary artist tells their own story in their own voice. As I wound through the mountain roads of Oaxaca last month, Barbra Streisand’s rich, familiar timbre filled my rental car, transforming the journey into something extraordinary. ‘My Name Is Barbra’ isn’t just an audiobook – it’s a 48-hour masterclass in storytelling from one of our greatest living performers, and hearing it in her voice makes all the difference.
From the opening notes (literally – the audiobook includes musical interludes you won’t find in the print version), you’re immediately transported into Barbra’s world. The way she delivers certain lines – particularly when recounting her early struggles in New York – carries the weight of lived experience that no other narrator could replicate. I found myself pulling over more than once just to savor a particularly well-told anecdote, like her description of performing in Greenwich Village clubs that reminded me of nights I spent listening to aging jazz musicians tell stories between sets in New Orleans.
What makes this memoir special in audio form is how Streisand’s performance background informs her delivery. She understands pacing like the seasoned performer she is – knowing exactly when to linger on a poignant moment (her recollections of director William Wyler’s mentorship had me tearing up on the Pan-American Highway) and when to deliver a punchline with perfect comedic timing (her Marlon Brando impressions are worth the price alone). The additional musical elements – snippets of songs, recordings from her early career – create an immersive experience that print simply can’t match.
The memoir itself is remarkably comprehensive, covering everything from her Brooklyn childhood (told with such vivid detail you can practically smell the egg creams at the corner soda fountain) to her groundbreaking work in Yentl (which she discusses with the passion of someone still fighting for creative control decades later). What surprised me most was her candor about the challenges of being a strong-willed woman in entertainment – passages about being labeled ‘difficult’ while male colleagues were praised for the same behavior resonated deeply, reminding me of similar stories I’ve heard from female chefs during my food writing travels.
Streisand’s narration shines brightest in the more personal sections. When describing her relationship with James Brolin, her voice takes on a warmth that no actor could fake. And her account of recording ‘The Way We Were’ – complete with the actual recording session audio – gave me chills. It’s these audiobook-exclusive moments that make this such a special listening experience.
If I had one critique, it’s that at 48 hours, the audiobook might feel daunting to some listeners. But like those long evenings in Oaxaca where grandmothers would spin tales until dawn, the length becomes part of the charm – you’re not just getting highlights, you’re getting the full, unfiltered Barbra experience. The production quality is impeccable throughout, with perfect pacing and crystal-clear audio that does justice to that legendary voice.
For audiobook lovers, this sets a new standard for celebrity memoirs. It’s more than a narration – it’s a performance, a conversation, and a historical document all in one. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or simply appreciate masterful storytelling, this is an experience worth savoring. I’d recommend listening to it as I did – on a long drive, letting the miles and the memories unfold together.
With stories to tell and roads to travel,
Marcus Rivera
