Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life
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Sunshine Girl: An Unexpected Life Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Julianna Margulies (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,467 ratings
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Known for her outstanding performances on the groundbreaking television series The Good Wife and ER, Julianna Margulies deftly chronicles her life and her work in this deeply powerful memoir.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Good Housekeeping

“At once a tender coming-of-age story and a deeply personal look at a young woman making sense of the world against a chaotic and peripatetic childhood.” (Katie Couric)

As an apple-cheeked bubbly child, Julianna was bestowed with the family nickname “Sunshine Girl”. Shuttled back and forth between her divorced parents, often on different continents, she quickly learned how to be of value to her eccentric mother and her absent father. Raised in fairly unconventional ways in various homes in Paris, England, New York, and New Hampshire, Julianna found that her role among the surrounding turmoil and uncertainty was to comfort those around her, seeking organization among the disorder, making her way in the world as a young adult and eventually an award-winning actress.

Throughout, there were complicated relationships, difficult choices, and overwhelming rejections. But there were also the moments where fate, faith, and talent aligned, leading to the unforgettable roles of a lifetime, both professionally and personally - moments when chaos had finally turned to calm.

Filled with intimate stories and revelatory moments, Sunshine Girl is at once unflinchingly honest and perceptive. It is a riveting self-portrait of a woman whose resilience in the face of turmoil will leave listeners intrigued and inspired.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 17 minutes
  2. Author
    Julianna Margulies
  3. Narrator
    Julianna Margulies
  4. Audible release date
    May 4, 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B08GST65CW
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 17 minutes
Author Julianna Margulies
Narrator Julianna Margulies
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date May 04, 2021
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08GST65CW
Best Sellers Rank #10,691 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#30 in Film & TV
#36 in Television Performer Biographies
#129 in Biographies of Women

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,467 global ratings
A Fascinating Story-filled Memoir
5 Stars
A Fascinating Story-filled Memoir
The opening of this audiobook, Julianna Margulies revisits her well-known character from the CBS legal drama THE GOOD WIFE of Alicia Florrick. Her childhood family nickname was sunshine girl. The book is full of interesting stories from her childhood and her moving from France to England to the United States and back to England then the United States. Her adaption of the English accent as well as a New England accent was excellent training for her eventual career as an actress.After many chapters with the chaos of her childhood, Margulies brings her book SUNSHINE GIRL, AN UNEXPECTED LIFE to the present. Listeners learn about her marriage to Keith, an attorney, and the birth of their son, Kieran and their second home in view of the Catskill Mountains in Upper State New York. This memoir is well-written and held my attention the entire book. It is worthwhile listening and recommended.W. Terry Whalin is an editor and the author of more than 60 books including his latest 10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed.
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Top reviews from the United States

rose Southey
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
Reading this makes me want to go back and re-watch every episode of ER and the Good Wife. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Julianna's life and seeing how she coped with everything
that life threw at her. A real inspiration.
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Ilan Israel
4.0 out of 5 stars A very honest , interesting memoir
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2021
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I appreciate Julianna Margulies as an actress and I saw her on the TV show “Finding your Roots”, so I picked up her memoir out of interest . It may not be the most polished literary work, though for a first book I thought it was well- written and held my attention.

The writer’s honesty shines through, as she paints a picture of a very problematic childhood and adolescence, trying to lay down roots where hardly any stability existed. Her mother’s eccentricity and self- centered ness was offset by her obvious love for her children and her father’s semi absence from her life was also balanced with love and financial support.

Julianna writes of her finding direction in acting, and writes of her adult relationships with self- criticism. She somehow seemed to meet the people she needed for support in a serendipitous pattern, and many of her friends stayed with her throughout the years. She found mentors to give her advice, when needed, and for the most part, listened and learnt.

Those who are looking for inside gossip about her TV roles will be disappointed by this memoir, but those who are interested in hearing what it takes to succeed in a very cut-throat entertainment industry will be rewarded by reading this interesting, honest view from one who has left a fine mark on our screens.
6 people found this helpful
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Sloth Bear
5.0 out of 5 stars So different from and better than I what expected.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2021
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I bought this title because I loved ER and The Good Wife and was hoping to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into two of my favorite TV shows. What I got instead was a touching and sensitive account of a young woman's struggle to finally find true happiness after so many early challenges and dead ends. I loved her deep introspection. I loved that fact that she did not blame others for her troubles. I loved her forgiving nature. And I loved her writing. It is so intimate. I feel as though she was confiding in a close friend. I look forward to reading more from her.
49 people found this helpful
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Janet Abel
5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent memoir, well worth reading.
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2022
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I read a lot of memoirs, and Sunshine Girl was simply outstanding. Introspective and very funny at times, I not only couldn't put the book down, but I really enjoyed getting to know this wonderful woman who is also a very fine actress. I highly recommend Sunshine Girl.
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Steph Girouard
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing book. couldn't put it down
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2023
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Absolutely amazing book. I read the entire thing in one day. just couldn't put it down! definitely a must read!
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carilynp
4.0 out of 5 stars A revealing look at an unconventional childhood, written in an authentic voice.
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2021
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I’ve loved the roles she played on TV. Strong leading characters who don’t get pushed around. After listening to the author in conversation in a recent virtual event, I was even more drawn to read her book after getting a glimpse into her background. An unconventional childhood – a complicated mother, a father who was not around, a family who moved often, these were some of the forces she was up against.

What is unexpected in reading Julianna’s story is how candid and straightforward she is. I haven’t read a first-hand celebrity biography in some time where the author speaks so freely about her struggles, loneliness, and lack of stability in her life, all of which led her to where she is now. Throughout her childhood and early adulthood, she remained resilient and determined, quick to point out that although she had some hardship, there was plenty of goodness too, like the love of her two sisters and soon, the theatre bug and deep friendships she formed.

In her early acting days, a relationship with a fellow actor nearly drained the exuberant spirit that defined her. Never one to quit, she persevered in both her craft and evolving love life.

It took a lot of soul searching for Julianna to find out what she wanted and it’s clear from her story that her hard work paid off.

SUNSHINE GIRL is written in an authentic voice. Whether she is talking about various people who helped her in some way and are still an integral part of her life, the disturbing encounter with actor Steven Seagal, why she walked away from so much money at the height of her career, or her ability to confront her parents later in life, you feel like Julianna is giving you a real sense of who she is and not a fabricated story that might have been written for a role she played.
12 people found this helpful
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Amy L C
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2022
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Excellent and enjoyable read. Enjoyed learning about her background. I loved her as Nurse Hathaway in ER which is the only part I have watched her in. She seems like a delightful person.
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Top reviews from other countries

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TracyB
5.0 out of 5 stars Big Fan and not disappointed
Reviewed in Canada on July 8, 2023
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I am a huge fan of Julianna Margulies and this book delivered. So very well written and NOT a gossip rag it that’s what you’re looking for.

A wonderful view of her life, career and family. A truly lovely read. Thank you Ms. Margulies!
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raspberry
5.0 out of 5 stars el libro más lindo <33
Reviewed in Mexico on September 8, 2022
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amo tanto a julianna 😿, el libro venía en muy buenas condiciones <3
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simon
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, hinest and incredibly heartfelt
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2021
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I loved everything Julianna Margulies brought to the screen and I now love everything she has written. I read her memoir in one day and it was effortless. I love her honesty and wonderful sense of humour. I'm a fan.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish it was longer…. Sooooo beautifully written!
Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2021
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I couldn’t put it down… beautifully written, open, honest and candid! Julianna Margulies is an amazing woman, actress and writer!! I love her even more… if that’s possible for a huge fan like me of the ER and the Good wife! Every chapter is soaked with deep thrust ha and revelations… I love how simple joys make her so happy, looking at life with gratitude and contentment and is so down to earth…. All things people hardly expect of a glamorous and super famous actress! Beautiful! A must read!
I wish the book longer, I am fascinated with her life and life philosophy! ❤️
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Bruce
5.0 out of 5 stars DELIGHTFUL
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2022
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A disarmingly charming and honest memoir. What a childhood!
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