The Woman I Was Born to Be: My Story »

The moment when Susan Boyle became famous can be pinpointed exactly: It was on the evening of April 11th, 2009 when she sang "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables on Britain's Got Talent. That brief performance propelled this Scottish "woman of a certain age" into worldwide fame. A Time magazine poll of May 2009 tagged her as the seventh most influential person on the planet, placing her fourteen slots above U.S. president Barack Obama. In her new memoir, this "never been married, never been kissed" singing sensation describes her overnight metamorphosis from a quiet stay at-a-home into a global celebrity.

Publishers Weekly

Boyle made headlines when she opened her mouth on Britain's Got Talent to reveal a remarkable voice hidden in an unassuming package. The world fell in love with her humble and effusive personality, but turned on her just as quickly; forget the real Boyle, it's the "difficult" Boyle who sells tabloids. Sticking strictly to the formula, Boyle tells her tale, from childhood hardships to difficult school years to, finally, success on the international stage. She has a refreshing sense of humor, but the lightness can create disquiet when actual difficulties are skimmed over. This is the softest of accounts, simplistically written, high on faith and low on substance. It might pacify some readers, but those expecting something substantial will feel coddled. Photos. (Oct.)