Anne's Song

by Anne Nolan

The Nolan Sisters swung with Sinatra, sang at the Royal Variety Performance and toured the world to crowds of adoring fans.They were one of the first superstar girl groups.But darkness lurked behind their glamorous, spotless public image.As the eldest Nolan sister, Anne Nolan's life appeared exciting and glamorous - a dream come true for any young singer. Surrounded by a bevy of loving sisters, two protective brothers and parents who wanted to see their children succeed, how could Anne Nolan's childhood have been anything but idyllic?And yet behind the fairytale script, behind the fame and glitz, lay hidden dark family secrets that have, until now, never been told. What drove a wedge between the sisters?Anne's story begins in Dublin and moves to the club scene of Blackpool, the scenes of a secret life - one that had to remain hidden, one of fear and pain that has cast a terrible shadow over her entire life. Finally, after decades of silence, Anne Nolan reveals the brutal truth behind the Nolans' carefully cultivated image in this startling and gripping autobiography.

Genres: Biography

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bittersweet story to read. On the one hand you had the story of the Nolan's and their rise to fame but then you had the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and the effect it ultimately had on her life.

[Paul Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very interesting, sometime tough read. I was a fan the Nolans back in the day and it was interesting to read the story of the group's rise to fame told from the horse's mouth. It tells the story of how Anne eventually left the group in order to concentrate on family life and the resulting money problems that many of us face. The abuse that Anne endured at the hands of her father pervaded many aspects of her life and I'm sure that she carries the emotional scars to this day. I was pleased to read of the loving relationships with Maureen and Aunt Teresa, what a wonderful woman. I know the high regard that my mother had for her father, that my partner has for her father, poor Anne was denied this privilege.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fascinating to read about the Nolan Sisters' journey from humble beginnings to the heights of fame but sad to discover that for Anne, the eldest sister, this journey was soured by child abuse. Telling her story is so brave and I'm sure that in doing so, she will have helped other people who have suffered similar traumas.

[EJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read just about all the Nolan sister memoirs, and this one is by far the strongest. Difficult to get through at parts due to the subject matter but it's absolutely worth it. Anne is a great writer and I look forward to reading her updated memoir.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. Tricky subject but well written.

[iris short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I enjoyed reading this book very much. Sometimes it's quite harrowing but Anne tells it as it is. I would highly recommend it.

[MR K J GILBERT · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anther excellent book from showbiz royalty Anne Nolan trouble is when you start reading it you can't put it down

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in June 2008
Anne Nolan is one of the older girls in the famous family singing group The Nolans. To the outside world, they led a star-studded life surrounded by show biz stars. The truth, however, is somewhat different, the family of small children were taken from one Dublin club to another to perform in smoky atmospheres until the early hours of the morning, sometimes getting only a few hours sleep before having to get up and go to school. Their father drove them around the country to various venues, and eventually, they left Dublin and moved to England where the family settled in Blackpool. They continued to work non stop and became a really famous pop group. What no one knew at the time was that Anne was being sexually abused by her father. It is a heartbreaking story and what made it sadder was that when Anne wrote this book it caused a rift between the sisters and the did not speak for some years.
It is such a contrast to have a home life of fear and unhappiness and then be on stage with Frank Sinatra and flying all over the world to appear on t.v.
A very interesting read.

[Pingpong70 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh Dear!!