• Where Am I Now?

  • True Stories of Girlhood and Accidental Fame
  • By: Mara Wilson
  • Narrated by: Mara Wilson
  • Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (732 ratings)

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Where Am I Now?  By  cover art

Where Am I Now?

By: Mara Wilson
Narrated by: Mara Wilson
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Publisher's summary

A former child actress best known for her starring roles in Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, Mara Wilson has always felt a little young and out of place: as the only kid on a film set full of adults, the first daughter in a house full of boys, a Valley girl in New York and a neurotic in California, and a grown-up the world still remembers as a little girl. Tackling everything from what she learned about sex on the set of Melrose Place to discovering in adolescence that she was no longer "cute" enough for Hollywood, these essays chart her journey from accidental fame to relative (but happy) obscurity. They also illuminate universal struggles, like navigating love and loss and figuring out who you are and where you belong. Honest, insightful, and hilarious, Where Am I Now? introduces Mara Wilson as a brilliant new chronicler of the experience that is growing up young and female.

©2016 Mara Wilson (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Wilson's humorous literary voice tells the story of growing up as a young female in the spotlight (and eventually stepping out of it) and the road of self-acceptance, discovery and everything in between.” (BuzzFeed)

"[Wilson] returns as a talented writer with this collection of essays." (Entertainment Weekly, "15 Books You Have to Read in September")

"Funny [and] insightful." (GoodReads, "Best Books of the Month")

What listeners say about Where Am I Now?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

She described the first ten years of my life.

What made the experience of listening to Where Am I Now? the most enjoyable?

I think it put forth a third layer to the entire experience.

What other book might you compare Where Am I Now? to and why?

My initial thought was to compare her to Mindy Kayling, just because they describe their life and what they remember about their youth so vividly, but Mara has a depth to her that made me understand that all of the repressed anxiety I had at such a young age could be rationalized by me as an adult.

What does Mara Wilson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If I just read the book, I wouldn't be able to compare Mara Wilson's voice to whoever voices MTV's DARIA, and think - wow, this is what my inner voice sounds like - Matilda, all grown up.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was the moment she said her mother died on the set of Matilda. My heart broke.

Any additional comments?

I wholeheartedly believe that the credit or the cash is worth listening to Mara and her honest representation of not only girlhood, but girlhood as a child star. I think her wit and wisdom are beautiful partners to her honesty and maturity. She is a wonderful storyteller.

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I Couldn't Put Mara's Book Down...!!!!

"Where Am I Now ?" Is Funny, Sad, Thought Provoking And Warm-Hearted...!!!! Loved Reading It...!!!!

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9 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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got through about 1/3 of the book.

Maybe it gets better? I feel horrible writing a bad review for the woman who used to be this insanely cute and talented little girl, but DAYUM...this was just so incredibly boring. I'm a retoucher and can sit and listen to just about anything - but this was like listening to your friend tell you all about a childhood story that you're SO not into. Very similar to listening to someone tell you their DREAM - UGH. I feel awful saying it, but you should not get this book.
Try Amy Schumer's new book - really good.

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6 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

confusing.

I found this difficult to follow as there is a lot of jumping in time, talking about when she was a child, then an adult, and back to a childhood story. I cannot understand how the story is put together, the reason for the order of chapter topics. I just stopped to see how much is left in the book and im only on chapter 10 of 18 and I dont think I am willing to continue.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Matilda wrote a book!

Lovely book by a very thoughtful person. I found her honesty touching without being too self satisfying. Her sadder stories were told sensitively and her funnier stories were thoughtfully funny. I really enjoyed it.

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Mara wins my heart

Like a lot of people, I will forever associate Mara Wilson with Matilda, but now I will also associate her as a talented writer. I follow Mara on Twitter and she is usually good for several laughs a day, as well as some good political commentary. When she announced that she had been writing a book, my inner autobiography loving whore got in line. I can’t help myself. I want to read them all!

I was floored, brought to tears on multiple occasions, and in awe of her perseverance through things that would have shredded another human. As a writer myself, the one thing I hope to do is reach out and move my readers for the better. Ther was a story Mara tells, about her battle with OCD and a book that she read which changed her life. It gave me chills. Mara read a book about a teenager with OCD and she knew for the first time, she wasn’t alone in her battle instead, she now knew what it was called. She was able to find answers and help and it started with a novel called KISSING DOORKNOBS. Mara addresses mental health in her book with grace. I imagine that there is some girl or boy who will read her novel and understand for the first time that they are not alone.

Mara talks about working on Matilda, and Mrs. Doubtfire. What it was like losing Robin Williams, someone who she’d looked at as a father figure. Mara’s often self-deprecating humor spot on. I was cheering for her when she found her muse, and crying when she lost her mom. I enjoyed every moment of this book and only wished that it was a bit longer.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Fantastic

If you could sum up Where Am I Now? in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, relatable, humorous

What was one of the most memorable moments of Where Am I Now??

Her describing her problems with relationships and her mental/emotional struggles.

Which character – as performed by Mara Wilson – was your favorite?

Mara Wilson herself

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

there were many parts, which may not have been intended to be funny but the way she explains things or parts she recalls of conversations shes had with people are humorous.

Any additional comments?

Recently I decided to try audible because I had gotten new headphones and thought it would be a cool idea to listen to a book as I was doing other things. I initially was going to choose a comedian thinking it would be funny and they'd be able to keep my interest. however, when listening to samples of books mara's was the only one that wasn't monotone and seemed like something i'd be interested in. boy, was I right.

I always liked Mara's movies growing up (Matilda, Mrs. Doubtfire, and A simple wish) So i was familiar with whom she was. But it was fantastic to hear her side of her story. During and before/after being a child star. I was surprised when she would talk about her personal problems she had dealt with (relationships and mental/emotional problems). Many times listening I could relate completely and it seemed more like just listening to a friend speak. I got a lot more out of this book than what I thought would just be a fun or interesting read. I plan on purchasing this in paperback to keep in my collection and re-read again and again.

Only negative comment, which I notice one other reviewer on here had mentioned is that she does often jump back and forth between current events, when she was a child, or flashbacks. It may be easier to understand in the printed book because things could be sectioned out differently or its broken into chapters which you don't know when the audio is just playing. So, It can get a little bit confusing at points but doesn't take away from the enjoyable book itself.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. Especially teens or younger women in their 20's-30's to remind them "sometimes you're going to mess shit up, and it will usually be okay."

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Mute Power

A powerful, thoughtful piece read brilliantly in the tranquil, quiet voice of Mara Wilson. I listened to it for the 14 hours I drove as I moved to a new city, and at the end I felt like I said goodbye to an old friend and hello to a new world. I recommend to anyone who has felt out-of-place or lost.

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great story telling and very powerful,

I feel for Mara and her struggles with anxiety as I have had my own struggles in this area. I wish her the best and look forward to reading more by her or maybe see her in future movies, thank you Mara.

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Honest, connecting

I didn't know what to expect from this book, I didn't really look into reviews or synopses. I was so pleasantly surprised by Mara's candor, honesty, and, well, storytelling. Not only did I relate to much of her vulnerability, but she tells her experience so well. These are reflections worth reading.

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1 person found this helpful