Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Call Me Anna summary
Patty Duke
Brief summary
Call Me Anna is Patty Duke's captivating memoir that delves into her personal struggles with bipolar disorder and her inspiring journey to self-acceptance and advocacy for mental health awareness.
Topics
Table of Contents
Call Me Anna
Summary of key ideas
The Early Years
In Call Me Anna, Patty Duke, the renowned actress, shares her life story. Born in 1946, she was raised by her troubled parents in a chaotic household. Her father was an alcoholic and her mother suffered from severe depression. Patty's early years were marked by poverty, neglect, and abuse. At the age of eight, she was sent to live with her managers, John and Ethel Ross, who exploited her talent and subjected her to a grueling schedule of auditions and performances.
Under the Rosses' management, Patty's career took off. She starred in the Broadway production of The Miracle Worker and won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Helen Keller in the film adaptation. Despite her professional success, Patty's personal life was tumultuous. She struggled with her identity, battled mental health issues, and was subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the Rosses.
The Struggle with Mental Health
As Patty entered her teenage years, her mental health deteriorated. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition that was poorly understood at the time. Her illness was exacerbated by the Rosses' controlling and abusive behavior. They isolated her from her family and friends, controlled her finances, and manipulated her into believing she was incapable of functioning without them.
Despite her struggles, Patty continued to work in film and television. She starred in her own sitcom, The Patty Duke Show, where she played dual roles as identical cousins. The show was a hit, but behind the scenes, Patty was battling severe mood swings and suicidal thoughts. She was hospitalized multiple times for her mental health issues, but her condition remained largely untreated.
Breaking Free
In her early twenties, Patty began to assert her independence. She married actor John Astin and had three sons. However, her marriage was strained by her mental health struggles and the lingering influence of the Rosses. It wasn't until her late twenties that Patty finally broke free from the Rosses' control. She filed a lawsuit against them, seeking to dissolve their management contract and reclaim her independence.
The legal battle was long and arduous, but Patty emerged victorious. She was finally free from the Rosses' manipulation and able to take control of her career and personal life. She continued to act in film and television, and also became an outspoken advocate for mental health awareness and treatment.
Advocacy and Acceptance
In the latter part of her life, Patty Duke became a prominent mental health advocate. She spoke openly about her struggles with bipolar disorder, aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. She also lobbied for improved mental health care and co-authored a book on the subject, A Brilliant Madness: Living with Manic-Depressive Illness.
Throughout her journey, Patty Duke learned to manage her bipolar disorder and find stability in her personal life. She divorced John Astin and remarried twice, finally finding lasting happiness with her third husband, Michael Pearce. She also reconnected with her sons and reconciled with her difficult past, accepting both the triumphs and tribulations of her extraordinary life.
In Conclusion
In Call Me Anna, Patty Duke shares a candid and courageous account of her life. From her tumultuous childhood to her rise to stardom, battles with mental illness, and eventual triumph over adversity, Patty's story is one of resilience and strength. She passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of talent, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to living life on her own terms.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Call Me Anna about?
Call Me Anna is a memoir by Patty Duke, in which she candidly shares her journey from a traumatic childhood to becoming a beloved actress. Duke reveals her struggles with mental illness, abusive relationships, and the search for her true identity. It is a powerful and inspiring account of resilience and self-discovery.
Call Me Anna Review
Call Me Anna (1987) by Patty Duke is a riveting memoir that depicts the life of the beloved actress, Patty Duke, and her journey with mental illness. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With candid honesty, Duke openly shares her experiences, providing a unique insight into the challenges of living with bipolar disorder.
- The book explores Duke's rise to fame as a child star, her personal struggles, and her advocacy for mental health awareness, making it a compelling and inspiring read.
- Duke's storytelling is genuine and relatable, captivating readers with her resilience and determination to overcome adversity.
Who should read Call Me Anna?
- Individuals interested in mental health and personal growth
- Fans of Patty Duke who want to learn about her life and struggles
- People who enjoy memoirs and stories of overcoming challenges
Categories with Call Me Anna
Book summaries like Call Me Anna
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
34 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Call Me Anna FAQs
What is the main message of Call Me Anna?
The main message of Call Me Anna is a powerful story of Patty Duke's journey towards self-acceptance and mental health.
How long does it take to read Call Me Anna?
The reading time for Call Me Anna varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Call Me Anna a good book? Is it worth reading?
Call Me Anna is a compelling memoir that sheds light on mental health and the challenges faced by Patty Duke. It is definitely worth reading for its honesty and emotional impact.
Who is the author of Call Me Anna?
The author of Call Me Anna is Patty Duke.
What to read after Call Me Anna?
If you're wondering what to read next after Call Me Anna, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
- Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- Why We Get Fat by Gary Taubes
- The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
- Savor by Thich Nhat Hanh and Lilian Cheung
- Eat to Live by Joel Fuhrman
- Nutrition and Physical Degeneration by Weston A. Price
- Salt Sugar Fat by Michael Moss
- Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink
- The Twenty-four Hour Mind by Rosalind D. Cartwright