Review by SamahAlJundiPfaff -- Barbra Streisand: On the ...

[SamahAlJundiPfaff]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Barbra Streisand: On the Couch" by Alma H. Bond, Ph.D..]

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4 out of 4 stars

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In the Acknowledgements, Alma H. Bond, the author, declares that she enjoys writing all her books, but “Barbra Streisand: On the Couch” is her favorite. Such a declaration tends to be contagious simply because the book will be your favorite, too. The sneaking into the journal of Doctor Dale, the psychiatric, and into Barbra Streisand’s beautiful controlling unhappy mind which mirrors the American life after the second world war deserves the rate 4 out of 4. The small details of Barbra’s life as a Jewish girl keep you on the edge. While reading and enjoying the sad witty sense of humor of Barbra, her tinnitus might hit you but the good news is that it will stop when Barbra stopped feeling it.

Barbra’s memories about her father create a special rapport with him till you call his name aloud, Manny! You might wish that you enjoyed listening to him reading passages from the Torah or played tennis and handball with him. The mother in Barbra’s life is not what I like! I could understand the conservative attitude but I will never forgive her question about why they pay a lot of money for Barbra to sing!

“My nose is me!” After this statement, you will either touch your nose or go to the mirror and pose to see it from different angles. Have you ever noticed that Barbra's name is not like the others Barbara? Just like Dr. Dale you will be “constantly impressed by the integrity of this woman”. By the end of the book, you will be puzzled who is psychiatric and who does the psychanalysis! It is guaranteed that you will repeat Barbra’s slogan: “Life is beautiful in the movies”.

While reading, I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with the men who passed Barbra’s life and feel angry with those who hurt her. Maybe you will do the same and try to figure out what she was doing on the same day that you celebrate your birthday.

Is it a story or just a simple chat with an intimate friend who knows Omar Sharif, Marlon Brando, Prince Charles, and Pierre Trudeau? It sounds like moments of gossiping where every word fuels the passion to jump vividly and breathlessly from the backstage of theaters to the casting and rehearsal for movies to famous hotels. The book leads you into the feminist, the actress, the singer, the activist Barbra who wanted to be just a Jewish housewife. Enjoy!

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Barbra Streisand: On the Couch
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