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Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: My Life Paperback – July 7, 2015
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In her acting career spanning more than six decades, Sophia Loren became known for her striking beauty and dramatic roles with famed costars Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando, Gregory Peck, Jack Lemmon, and Paul Newman. The luminous Italian movie star was the first artist to win an Oscar for a foreign language performance, after which she continued a vibrant and varied career that took her from Hollywood to Paris to Italy—and back to Hollywood. In Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, Loren shares vivid memories of work, love, and family with winning candor.
Born in 1934 and growing up in World War II Italy, Loren’s life of glamour and success was preceded by years of poverty and hardship, when she lived in her grandparents’ house with her single mother and sister, and endured near starvation. She shares how she blossomed from a toothpick-thin girl into a beautiful woman seemingly overnight, getting her start by winning a beauty pageant; and how her first Hollywood film, The Pride and the Passion, ignited a high-profile romance with Cary Grant, who would vie with her mentor, friend, frequent producer, and lover Carlo Ponti to become her husband. Loren also reveals her long-held desire to become a mother, the disappointments she suffered, the ultimate joy of having two sons, and her happiness as a mother and grandmother.
From trying times to triumphant ones, this scintillating autobiography paints a multi-dimensional portrait of the woman behind the celebrity, beginning each chapter with a letter, photograph, or object that prompts her memories. In Loren’s own words, this is a collection of “unpublished memories, curious anecdotes, tiny secrets told, all of which spring from a box found by chance, a precious treasure trove filled with emotions, experiences, adventures.” Her wise and candid voice speaks from the pages with riveting detail and sharp humor. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow is as elegant, entrancing, and memorable as Sophia Loren herself.
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAtria Books
- Publication dateJuly 7, 2015
- Dimensions5.75 x 0.8 x 8.75 inches
- ISBN-109781476797434
- ISBN-13978-1476797434
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Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
The doorbell to my apartment keeps ringing while I finish kneading the last of the struffoli, our traditional Neapolitan Christmas pastry. I leave the dough to rest and hurry to open the door, my hands covered in flour, wiping them as best I can on my apron.
The florist, behind a huge poinsettia, hints at a smile.
“For you, Signora Loren. Can I get your autograph, please?”
The label on the ribbon takes me back to Italy for an instant. I put the plant down on the piece of furniture and open the card. It conveys an affectionate, cheerful thought.
The voices of my grandchildren, who have just arrived from the United States for the holidays, fill the house with excitement and chaos. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we’ll finally all be together. The truth is, though, that I’m not ready. How will I manage to feed so many people? How can I possibly fry all those struffoli?
The world whirls around me dizzily and I feel as if everything is slipping out of my control. I go back to the kitchen, in search of certainties that I can’t find. I head into the dining room, hoping that things will go better there. The table! Yes, the dinner table for tomorrow. I want it colorful and beautiful. In a frenzy, I take out the glasses and arrange the plates and cutlery. I fold the napkins carefully. I have fun deciding who will sit where.
I’m a Virgo and, most days, I even manage to bore myself with my compulsive perfectionism, but not today. Today it looks like the messiness is getting the upper hand. I start over again on the table, trying to keep my emotions at bay. Let’s see, two, four, eight, plus five, thirteen, and four makes seventeen guests for dinner tomorrow . . . No, not seventeen, that’s an unlucky number! Let me count over again.
From the photograph of him on the chiffonier, Carlo is smiling that special smile of his on our wedding day. I’ll never forget the first time I felt his eyes on me, many years before, in a restaurant with a view of the Colosseum. I was not much more than a young girl, and he was already a successful man. The waiter came over to me with a note from him saying that the producer had noticed me. Then the stroll in the garden, the roses, the scent of acacia, summer as it was coming to a close. That was the start of my adventure.
I stroke the green armchair where Carlo would doze off while reading the newspaper. I feel cold; I must remember to light the fire tomorrow. Luckily, Beatrice, the youngest of my grandchildren, comes along to take my mind off my recollections. “Nonna Sophia, Nonna Sophia!” She’s very blond . . . and very determined. Behind her, the others peer in, like a delegation of little rascals. It’s time to get ready to go to bed, but they have no intention of doing so. I look at them, they smile at me, we make a deal.
“Why don’t we see a movie?”
Amid shouts of joy, a battle breaks out as they choose which cartoon movie to watch. In the end Cars 2 wins, their favorite of the moment. We all sit down together in front of the TV.
“Nonna, can you imitate Mamma Topolino for us?”
“Now, mangia. Eat!” I recite my line from Cars 2, making funny faces as I do so.
“Again, again, Nonna, please. Do it again!”
Hearing my voice, the same that comes from the mouth of a little car, drives them wild. Who would have thought they would enjoy it so much when I accepted, rather reluctantly, the proposal to do that peculiar dubbing job?
Little by little, Vittorio and Lucia, Leo, and Beatrice are mesmerized by the movie and, before it’s over, they’re fast asleep. I cover them with a blanket, look at my watch, and think about tomorrow. Outside it’s started to snow, but with all the hustle and bustle inside I hadn’t even noticed.
Comings and goings are always very special moments. They set the merry-go-round of recollections in motion, opening doors to yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
When I think back on my life, sometimes I’m surprised that it’s actually all true. I say to myself, One morning, I’ll wake up and find out that it’s all just a dream. Not that it was always easy. There were hard times. But it was definitely wonderful and worthwhile. Success, too, bears its burden that you have to learn how to cope with. No one can teach you. The answer is inside you, where all answers are.
I tiptoe back to my bedroom. It’s comforting to spend some time alone. I know that if I stop for a moment of quiet, I can find the peaceful beating of my heart, and calm.
As soon as I’m in the bedroom I realize I’m still wearing my apron. I untie it, take off my shoes, and slump onto the bed; the magazine I’d been reading in the morning is still open to the same page. The excitement of embracing my family again has made it hard for me to sleep these past few nights, and I feel lost if I don’t sleep. It’s the engine that helps me to travel through my days.
“Buon riposo!” (Good night!), Ninni shouts out from the other room. “Cerchi di dormire!” (Try to get some rest!)
Ninni, Ninni . . . she’s been with us for nearly fifty years. She was Carlo Jr. and Edoardo’s Nanny, and when they grew up she stayed on to take care of me. Now, whenever my sons come to the city with their children, she takes care of those little rascals with the same enthusiasm as ever. Sometimes I wonder where she finds the patience to put up with us.
“Sto già dormendo” (I’m already half asleep), I tell her to reassure her. But instead of sleeping I just lie there, my eyes wide open as I stare at the ceiling.
As I try to calm down, thoughts race through my mind. Will my grandchildren like my struffoli? The ones that my Zia Rachelina would make for us in Pozzuoli, the small town where I grew up, were much better than mine. You know, the flavors of our childhood are always better than others.
I feel restless, the way you do when you slowly slip from reality to a different world, one of dreams or memories. I can’t keep still, so I put on my bathrobe and go into the study at the end of the hall. To do what, I don’t know. I look at the shelf, I move aside some books, bric-a-brac, pictures, paperweights. I fret, as if I’m looking for something. Then I see a dark wooden box at the back of the shelf. My heart skips a beat. It takes me by surprise, but I recognize it right away. In an instant, I pull it down and open it. Before my eyes are letters, telegrams, notes, photographs. That’s what was pulling me here; this is the thread that guided my footsteps on this cold winter night.
The wooden box holds my treasure trove of memories. I’m tempted to leave it as it is. Too much time has passed, too many emotions. But then I muster the courage to pick it up, and I slowly carry it back to the bedroom.
Maybe this is my Christmas gift, and it’s up to me to open it.
Product details
- ASIN : 1476797439
- Publisher : Atria Books; Reprint edition (July 7, 2015)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781476797434
- ISBN-13 : 978-1476797434
- Item Weight : 1.26 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 0.8 x 8.75 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #832,188 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,439 in Rich & Famous Biographies
- #6,962 in Actor & Entertainer Biographies
- #9,326 in Women's Biographies
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They appreciate Sophia Loren's life story and her family. The writing quality is praised as well-written and engaging. Readers enjoy the beautiful photos and charming vignettes of Italian cinema. They describe the author as an intelligent, wise woman with fine character development.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy reading this book. They find it an interesting and well-written memoir that provides a pleasant way to escape daily life for a bit and see things differently. Readers appreciate learning about the author's childhood, family life, and struggles in reaching her goals.
"An excellent, well-written memoir from one of cinema's finest and most beautiful actresses...." Read more
"...She takes pride in her successful children and grandchildren. A wonderful read and worth your time." Read more
"...This is a fine memoir, beautifully constructed and written and is a wonderfully entertaining book, especially concerning post war Italian cinema...." Read more
"Interesting read because the personal story is so different from the public perception. Very intimate take on the events of her life." Read more
Customers enjoy reading Sophia Loren's life story. They find it heartfelt and well-written, with reminiscences of the golden age of Italian cinema. The book is described as an interesting autobiography that chronicles her life.
"...YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW: MY LIFE is a memorable autobiography!" Read more
"...With heart, soul and grace, Loren recalls her storied life, her rise from poverty as an illegitimate child to the heights of Italy's cinema industry..." Read more
"...Lots to treasure here including wonderful reminisces of the golden age of Italian cinema with charming vignettes of de Sica, Marcello, Fellini, Toto..." Read more
"Interesting read because the personal story is so different from the public perception. Very intimate take on the events of her life." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They find it readable and engaging, with an Italian musical style of writing and explaining everything. The author writes candidly and from the heart, making it a quick read.
"...And, most importantly, she writes candidly about her life; which, in addition to her fabulous career, included many painful memories, beginning..." Read more
"Molto grazie, Senora Loren for this amazing autobiography. With heart, soul and grace, Loren recalls her storied life, her rise from poverty as an..." Read more
"...This is a fine memoir, beautifully constructed and written and is a wonderfully entertaining book, especially concerning post war Italian cinema...." Read more
"...I read a page or two and Ms. Loren is an engaging writer; in fact, it is written so well, one might suspect a ghost writer." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's photos and personal insights. They find the vignettes of Italian cinema charming and inspiring. The book provides a pleasant look at pictures, though some feel it could have been more.
"...well-written memoir from one of cinema's finest and most beautiful actresses...." Read more
"...reminisces of the golden age of Italian cinema with charming vignettes of de Sica, Marcello, Fellini, Toto, Scola and Wertmuller...." Read more
"...But she is lovely and has clearly had a full, wonderful life that is fun to share in reading her book." Read more
"...Down to earth, sexy, and still a very beautiful woman -- she will always be on the great stars around the world...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development. They find Loren a great actress and person of fine character. The book humanizes her legendary career with details and warmth.
"...is obviously a woman of great character, in addition to her superb acting skills. YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW: MY LIFE is a memorable autobiography!" Read more
"...A gracious Sophia. A marvellous career and a rich rewarding life, still beautiful in every degree." Read more
"...THE AUTHOR WHO IS A WARMHEARTED, HARD WORKING, DOWN TO EARTH PERSON IS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL...." Read more
"...nothing fake about Sophia -- what you see is what you get: A very special human being." Read more
Customers find the book insightful and well-written. They appreciate the information and advice provided without lurid details.
"...What I loved about this book was it's honesty. Sparing no details regarding her own flaws both physical and psychological, she takes us on a..." Read more
"...Ms. Loren is far more down-to-earth, intelligent, and, yes, wise than you might expect. I have not been able to put it down. Highly recommend." Read more
"...an interesting side of the star, Loren...who is quite thoughtful and insightful." Read more
"readable and revealing at the same time." Read more
Customers appreciate the book's simplicity. They find the author down-to-earth and say the book helps organize their lives.
"...Down to earth, sexy, and still a very beautiful woman -- she will always be on the great stars around the world...." Read more
"I love Loren. Simple and true...." Read more
"...Story jumped about a bit and rather simple in its execution but interesting read. I felt there was a lot left out." Read more
"...Ms. Loren is far more down-to-earth, intelligent, and, yes, wise than you might expect. I have not been able to put it down. Highly recommend." Read more
Customers find the book boring and uninteresting. They find it a waste of time and unsatisfying. The book seems superficial and egocentric for them.
"No news.. it's not her first autobiography...Too much familly, not enough surprises.. I refuse to believe thant her life was as boring and plain as..." Read more
"...Nothing really interesting at all in this book." Read more
"...But for the most part I was incredibly bored and I believe I donated it to a book give away before I finished it." Read more
"Boring. Im two thirds through and it almost all about italian producers and names of people you havent ever heard of. No juicey gossip...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. My Life: A Smashing Telling Of An Extraordinary Life By An Extraordinary Woman
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2016An excellent, well-written memoir from one of cinema's finest and most beautiful actresses. And, most importantly, she writes candidly about her life; which, in addition to her fabulous career, included many painful memories, beginning with her experiences in Italy for several years as a child during the second world war. Ms Loren is obviously a woman of great character, in addition to her superb acting skills. YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW: MY LIFE is a memorable autobiography!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2015Molto grazie, Senora Loren for this amazing autobiography. With heart, soul and grace, Loren recalls her storied life, her rise from poverty as an illegitimate child to the heights of Italy's cinema industry and later conquering the world film industry and winning the Oscar. She is candid about her love life, including affairs with Cary Grant and her marriage to producer Carlo Ponti. She tells wonderful stories about her screen lover Marcello Mastroianni, with who she had a friendship approaching true love, but never sharing a bed. She takes pride in her successful children and grandchildren. A wonderful read and worth your time.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2015Don't dismiss this autobiography by Sophia Loren, thinking it could be just another self indulgent exercise by a screen super star. This is a fine memoir, beautifully constructed and written and is a wonderfully entertaining book, especially concerning post war Italian cinema. Loren captures all the necessary elements of her amazing life and her career as an actress. Love of family is at the foremost and she has benefitted enormously from the strong family of women in her life, growing up during the tumultuous times of war torn, poverty stricken Naples. .
Her early career, appearing in beauty pageants, as "queen" of magazine photo-romances, as a Cinecitta extra before being "discovered" by Carlo Ponti and hitting the big-time in a series of Italian classics by maestro Vittorio de Sica ("Gold of Naples", Oscar-winning performance in "Two Women" and with Marcello Mastroianni in "Boccaccio 70" and "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow") and a host of international hits including "Boy on a Dolphin", "Houseboat" and "El Cid". are all nicely covered in this highly readable memoir.
Nothing too scandalous or controversial and certainly no mean spirited tales of her many collaborators during a long and momentous career. She does cover extensively her and Ponti's battles with the Italian legal system re their marriage and tax evasion, including her brief stint in an Italian prison.
Lots to treasure here including wonderful reminisces of the golden age of Italian cinema with charming vignettes of de Sica, Marcello, Fellini, Toto, Scola and Wertmuller. And of course the international set including Chaplin, Brando, Sinatra, Grant, Peck and Altman to mention a few. And packed full of awesome family memories, making Carlo, Mammina, Maria and sons Carlo Jr. and Edoardo feel very much part of our own extended families.
A gracious Sophia. A marvellous career and a rich rewarding life, still beautiful in every degree.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024I love you Sophia. Always and forever. Yesterday, today and tomorrow.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2015Interesting read because the personal story is so different from the public perception. Very intimate take on the events of her life.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2015The fluidity and skill with which Ms. Loren weaves the tale of her life and loves is not to be missed. I do believe that she did not have a ghost writer; and this makes the book that much more intimate and personal.
The book takers us from her childhood of poverty to the tragedies of war, to her movie career and onward to her marriage, legal troubles, nd subsequent joy in her grandchildren. What I loved about this book was it's honesty. Sparing no details regarding her own flaws both physical and psychological, she takes us on a journey that relates to the reader that they too can survive whatever life throws their way. Her legal woes marrying the love of her life in Italy, her jail time for a misstep by advisors in taxes, these are all described in Ms. Loren's true feelings; not just related like a documentary.
I would read this book again because it is so truly human. While it does have a very lovely large second of movie and pictures of her life, this is not some goddess in an ivory tower nor does she claim to be. She is a real human we can all relate to, and for that this autobiography and Sophia Loren have my ultimate respect and admiration.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2014"AN EXQUISITELY WOVEN TAPESTRY" MADE OF THE RICHEST QUALITY MATERIAL…
THE AUTHOR WHO IS A WARMHEARTED, HARD WORKING, DOWN TO EARTH PERSON IS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.
WITH ALL THE "DRAMA" THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF TODAYS STARS THIS IS MORE THAN A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. IF ONLY MORE PEOPLE WOULD RECOGNIZE THIS AND BEGIN TO TREAD THIS PATH WE COULD MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER, SAFER , PLACE, FOR OUR PRECIOUS GENERATIONS TO COYME…
BLESS MS. LOREN AND HER PRECIOUS FAMILY
- Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2015This is interesting, especially if you are a true Sophia Loren fan. My apologies to Ms. Loren, but I am an avid reader and I felt it drags, esp the first third. Lots and lots of similar Italian names and locations becomes tedious to the American reader. But she is lovely and has clearly had a full, wonderful life that is fun to share in reading her book.
Top reviews from other countries
- Steven C MyersReviewed in Canada on October 1, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Great condition, just as described.
Fascinating hardcover book about the life of Sophia Loren, as told by her. The book arrived quickly and in excellent shape. Thanks!
- Amazon CustomerReviewed in India on October 23, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent condition of printing just like the dream woman called Sophia Loren 😃
Never read such an unassuming star story.
- L.C.Reviewed in Germany on December 13, 2018
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
Too many facts for my taste but otherwise very entertaining
- Katrina LouiseReviewed in Australia on February 28, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Reads like Naples - made me homesick for Prochida
Great book - well written and really nice walk in the past - clever, funny and amazingly forward - really enjoyed reading this
- DaniReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 30, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read for those who admire or are curious about Sophia Loren, lots of insights into her acting career.
Although I am not particularly fascinated with film stars or celebrities to the extent that I wish to read their autobiographies, I admit to admiring Sophia Loren for her grace and ability to metamorphosise into different characters as an actress whilst maintaining an amazing goddess like outwards appearance and a very human emotional quality at the same time. I have only seen a few of her films so far and was curious to read this book to get more of an insight into her professional career.
The book itself is beautifully presented and elegant and would make a very nice gift indeed.
The writing follows Loren's life from childhood through to her acting career. The style is unassuming without any of the celebrity star self importance and I appreciated this quality. At the same time, although written with warmth, you still feel as if the author does not fully open in the sense that everything is carefully written as to not upset anybody from her past and present life. But this lack of intrigue shows integrity and elegance and this is not a gossip book.
I enjoyed learning about her film career and how this was constructed and I get a sense that Loren was very disciplined and hard working. The story is easy to follow and understand. The photographs included in the book are well selected to illustrate Loren's life. As her glory days were before the age of the internet and Instagram, the visuals are well curated to reflect a consistent image.
I was very pleased to find a complete filmography list at the end of the book. This will help me try and find some of her films to watch in the future. Linking the anectodes from the book to specific films will no doubt add an extra layer of enjoyment to watching such a great actress.