I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny by Vivian Cash
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Book Reviews of I Walked the Line: My Life with Johnny
Book Review: Wow.
Summary: 4 Stars
I haven't ever been a big follower of Johnny Cash. I remember seeing him on TV when I was little and my father identifying him as The Man in Black. I know a lot of his songs, but I don't avidly seek them out either. I am currently reading his book Cash BECAUSE of reading this book.
I saw the move Walk the Line. Funny that the movie is named after a song based on his devotion to his wife Vivian. I digress. I saw a deep and beautiful Vivian portrayed in the movie, but angry. It made me wonder what her story was. My husband brought this book home for me and I read it quickly.
I was a bit disappointed in the number and volume of personal letters from Johnny in the book but I was amazed that she had actually kept them the whole time. I found the letters some what repetitive and slightly boring, but they did make me laugh on occasion.
Every person involved in a story could tell their perspective differently and we finally get to have Vivian's side of the story. For years and years she remained silent and gracious despite feeling treated unfairly and I see her need to share her story genuine.
She says some shocking things, from her perspective, about June that make you look at the story shown in film in a different light. This is her story, her truth, and apparently it's made a lot of people angry. And maybe their anger about her side of the story was what kept her silent for so long.
I especially appreciated the part about how she wished she would have stayed and fought for him. I could really sense her heart in those passages. She was still able to move on and create a happy life, with some difficulty with her second husband and taught me that some times life and love are about choosing to be happy and love even with a somewhat divided heart.
This book is just one version of the events that happened in the amazing life of Johnny Cash. It has made me want to see all sides, stories, and perspectives of that life. I appreciated Vivian's peace about just getting the whole, uncomfortable truth out there. I would recommend this book to people who've had their husband cheat on them, to fans of Johnny Cash, and of history. I would highly recommend that readers who think June Carter Cash is a saint to stay away from this book unless you can swallow the fact that she too is human and imperfect.
Book Review: The other side of the story
Summary: 4 Stars
I had watch the movie Walk the line thought it was great but I never really thought June was as Innocent as she always tried to come across not taking anything away from her. Just felt there was always something in the back ground. I really believe that Johnny and Vivian were each other true love. We make choices in are lives that might not really be what we want but know it has to be this way and Vivian did what she had to do for her self and her girls and for johnny she couldn't save him and she was losing herself and her children were hurting it doesn't mean they didn't love each other or there children but when someone or something gets a hold on you its hard to shake loose and johnny couldn't shake the drugs or June or the guilt of what he did to his family. I believe what Vivian wrote in her book I don't think she would write it just to hurt people because if she wanted to she would of done it along time ago.She really was a classy lady and she really loved Johnny till the end the greatest gift she gave her girls was the love she had for there father and the way she handle the way she let him go.
Yvonne
Book Review: Fascinating
Summary: 4 Stars
I was fascinated to read Vivian's side of the story! Despite the boredom of getting through all the letters, the rest of the book was very, very good.
Vivian was gracious about June Carter despite the fact that June was relentless in her quest to steal her husband. I know that the marriage was probably in trouble, for they had married too young and really didn't know each other. However, I think that June probably loved Johnny, but I don't think she would have loved him if he wasn't the talent that he was. She had to have center stage, and the only way to get it was to be reflected in his glory.
It is also hearwarming to see how Vivian's children turned out in the end as opposed to June's children. June's ambition and self-involvement did not include caring for the two older children.
Johnny was a very conflicted man and talented man. Obviously, he had serious drug and drinking problems, and he was easily led.
Good, good read!
Book Review: I'm glad I read it!
Summary: 4 Stars
Most of the book is letters which was good and bad. I was hoping to buy a book full of Vivian's thoughts and stories. The letters were interesting and very detailed. It was easy to keep up with what was going on it their hearts even without Vivian's letters. The last couple chapters were Vivian's words. There were many surprises. I just wished to hear more from her. I would have even like to hear her story further beyond Johnny.
I'm glad I read it and would recommend it.
Book Review: Wonderful Book
Summary: 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this book. You learn alot about Vivian Cash and her life with Johnny before June. Although I thought there were alot of letters (I only read up until 1953, until I got frustrated. I wanted to learn about there time together and not just all the letters Johnny wrote.) The letters were very insighting and you could really tell how much Johnny loved Vivian. I also thought it was pretty incredible how Vivian kept all those letters for so long.