In this bubbly biography, journalist Carlson (I'll Have What She's Having, 2017) bounces cheerfully through actress Meryl Streep's life and career with an admiring eye, paying more attention to film roles than to any personal struggles. While Carlson touches at least in passing on each of those roles, she delves more deeply into critically acclaimed or popular movies, such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Out of Africa, Silkwood, Sophie's Choice, Mamma Mia, and The Devil Wears Prada. Sidebars, though diverting, often repeat information from the main text. The book is illustrated with cartoonish line drawings and a few stock photos. For sources, Carlson relies primarily on magazine articles and secondarily on interviews with some of Streep's associates, though not with Streep herself. While Streep's career doesn't trace a particular narrative arc, the author solidly establishes that Streep has kept working steadily, in a large variety of roles, into middle age and beyond. Fans should be delighted by the juicy details of life on various sets and tales of Streep's good-humored devotion to her craft.--Margaret Quamme Copyright 2010 Booklist

Entertainment journalist Carlson follows I'll Have What She's Having, her 2017 examination of writer and director Nora Ephron's romantic comedies, with this fast-paced and enjoyable homage to acting legend Meryl Streep. In a breathless, admiring tone, Carlson quickly covers Streep's childhood and education before rushing onto her career. Streep's roles--including Linda in The Deer Hunter, her star-making role in Kramer vs. Kramer, and as the unforgettable Miranda Priestly in the film adaptation of The Devil Wears Prada--are meticulously covered. Though Streep has had an extraordinary run, Carlson too eagerly absolves her of any responsibility for less than apt role choices (She-Devil with Roseanne Barr, for example). The focus is on Streep's extraordinary dramatic gifts, but Carlson regularly reminds readers of the difficulties women face--especially in Hollywood--over getting equal pay, dealing with ageism, and deflecting unwanted sexual attention (Dustin Hoffman, Jack Nicholson, and Harvey Weinstein are mentioned unflatteringly) as well as of Streep's feminist activism. Generously supplemented with gossipy sidebars and lists and with fashion magazine--like brush-and-ink drawings, Carlson's latest will be embraced by Streep-struck fans, but cinephiles will have to wait longer for an in-depth examination of Streep's extraordinary career. Agent: Daniel Greenberg, Levine, Greenberg, Rostan Literary Agency (Sept.)