Brenda Fricker's memoir is raw and immediate. I have always admired her acting but never met her. I feel I know her, a little, now. * Niamh Cusack *
A truly extraordinary life brilliantly recalled. With writing that manages to be both vivid and dreamlike, it shocks and delights in equal measure. * Graham Norton *
Anyone who has seen Brenda Fricker on stage or screen will have sensed instinctively the depth of both suffering and strength that lies beneath her remarkable performances. In this searing memoir she lays bare the sources of her physical and psychological anguish. She writes with a directness and honesty that can be as devastating as it is compelling. But in keeping with the extraordinary artistry she has shown throughout her career, she also transforms the pain into a deeply moving and utterly memorable presence. At once fierce, raw, tender and transcendent, She Died Young is book that had to be written and therefore has to be read. * Fintan O'Toole, author of We Don't Know Ourselves and Heroic Failure *
Astonishing. * Belfast Telegraph *
A revelation ... unsentimental, sometimes brilliant, often shocking ... a memoir that evokes some of the best by other Irish women. Fricker's devotion to nature and early childhood recalls Edna O'Brien and her memoir Country Girl. Later, Fricker's portrayals of Dublin in the 1960s and 1970s will remind many readers of Are You Somebody? by Nuala O'Faolain. -- Sinead O'Shea * Irish Times *
Remarkable ... This is a searingly honest memoir. Laced with humour as well as life-changing events, She Died Young depicts how a strong spirit could not be destroyed by a traumatic past or by her incessant demons. A powerful testament from an actor who deserves The Prize -- Joe Dowling * Irish Independent *
The legendary Irish actress writes beautifully and poignantly about the often painful childhood that shaped her as a person, her battle with mental illness, late sister Grania, and of course, her incredible working life over the decades. And yes, okay - there are also a few amusing stories in there, too - all recounted with class and a sprinkling of mischief. * RTE Radio 1 *
Fricker writes candidly, but also stylishly and eloquently about her struggles ... She Died Young showcases what the Irish public have known for a long time - Branda Fricker is a true artist -- Laura Cassidy * Irish Examiner *
Beautiful but raw ... very moving ... Fricker has had a fascinating life -- Patrick Freyne * Irish Times *