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notellawilliams's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.0
really enjoyed reading this, and poured through it, but wouldn't say it's well-written! definitely for people like me who love janis's music, and want to know more. she comes across a little self-congratulatory? but I still loved getting to know the background, and found some of it very relevant and touching. quite addictive in its structure.
jrobinw's review
5.0
First, it's important to know I'm a fan. I've always loved the poetry of her songs as well as the music. I loved this book, because one of my favorite musicians also had problems and made the best of them.
crabbygirl's review
1.0
what we love about a Janis Ian song - the singular ability to bring you right back to that moment of rejection, the aching pain that can never be forgotten, that full & satisfying wallow in despair - is the reason her autobiography is horribly narcissistic: a song lasts for 4-7minutes, and this book is 9+ hours.
of wallowing.
she writes like she's still 18 years old, the world is out to get her, and nothing is her fault. she was careful to praise most people on a professional level (be it singer, song writer, producer) but made sure to tar them with unsubstantiated claims like - withholding documents, or taking her money, or 'losing' her baby blanket (yes, it gets that trite). I loved her songs but now they are a little tainted by the knowledge of her immaturity and narcissism.
of wallowing.
she writes like she's still 18 years old, the world is out to get her, and nothing is her fault. she was careful to praise most people on a professional level (be it singer, song writer, producer) but made sure to tar them with unsubstantiated claims like - withholding documents, or taking her money, or 'losing' her baby blanket (yes, it gets that trite). I loved her songs but now they are a little tainted by the knowledge of her immaturity and narcissism.
givnuapeacesign's review
4.0
I listened to Janis Ian’s memoir courtesy of Audible and have had When I Was Seventeen stuck in my head in a loop ever since. Her voice is hauntingly smooth. Beginning at age fourteen and continuing for the next forty years, her memoir paints a thorough picture of the music business. She unflinchingly details her abusive relationships, money successes and extreme struggles, and those along the way who taught her valuable lessons.
lancre's review
4.0
One of my grandma’s favourite artists, and she always said I remind her of the woman. So, I had to borrow her copy of this. Obviously. I’m also seeing her in the fall (my gran’s idea!) so that’s fun.
It’s a wild ride. I guess that’s expected of a child star who stirred up all kinds of controversy, though :p
It’s a wild ride. I guess that’s expected of a child star who stirred up all kinds of controversy, though :p
annecharlotte_reads's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I'd never heard of Janis Ian before coming across a short video of her singing At Seventeen. What an extraordinary life and what an extraordinary woman. This is one of the very best autobiographies I've ever come across and Janis Ian's narration is superb. It's a long listen (12 hours) but every minute is worth it. Strongly recommend.
harrietnbrown's review
2.0
I have loved Janis Ian's music for 30 years. But I like it less having read this autobiography, which disappoints me terribly for its endless self-indulgence and frequent deviations into irrelevance or self-justification. It's got one of the best first lines of any autobiography I've read--"I was born into the crack that split America"--but it's all downhill from there. Ian doesn't emerge as a very likable character, alas. I wish her well and am glad her life is finally on track, but in this case, I wish I hadn't read the book.
yeahdeadslow's review
5.0
I joined a new library system the other week, and was finally able to get my hands on a copy of this book. (I should've have just gone ahead and bought it since I've been wanting to read it for so long, but oh well.)
Ever since I happened upon the song 'Society's Child' a few years back, I have held Janis Ian in high esteem. (Read: I have been a massive fangirl of hers and have spent hours alone listening to or singing her music.) This book just increased my surety that Janis Ian is a matchless and amazing woman. I was astounded by the amount of devastating things in her life; I kept thinking it couldn't get worse, but most every chapter brought new heartbreak. But, but, but! Janis is still alive to tell her tale, and that is incredible (and makes me so happy).
Ever since I happened upon the song 'Society's Child' a few years back, I have held Janis Ian in high esteem. (Read: I have been a massive fangirl of hers and have spent hours alone listening to or singing her music.) This book just increased my surety that Janis Ian is a matchless and amazing woman. I was astounded by the amount of devastating things in her life; I kept thinking it couldn't get worse, but most every chapter brought new heartbreak. But, but, but! Janis is still alive to tell her tale, and that is incredible (and makes me so happy).