Reviews

Mommie Dearest by Christina Crawford

Only show reviews with written explanations

loveandpop's review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

This was one of the best celebrity biographies I have read yet. Although, Joan's daughter wrote the book and it is based on her account growing up, it is a great book. I remember watching the movie when I was like 10 and being shocked at how Joan treated her children. The books goes further in detail of her abouse. It is a very gripping and sad tale of celebrity gone wrong.

mommyre's review

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3.0

I listened to the 40th-anniversary edition. Lots of critics get upset with Christina for unfounded accusations against Joan after her death. However, as a person with an oft-volatile relationship with my own mother, I understand. We also have different perspectives. My mother would tell the same stories with different views. Some of these supposed traumas couldn't be discussed until Christina was in the mindset to do so. That said, I gleaned two things from this book, if at all true. Joan was a bit of a narcissist, maybe not clinically, but she had clear tendencies. Christina comes off as a petulant child at times. Joan was not responsible for Christina's apartment rent. Get a job or a roommate if you need help. Likewise, if you know your mother is 6 shades of crazy, stop interacting. Stop trying to follow in her footsteps. There's no reason to act if you know she's just going to sabotage you. Just find another line of work. I know these things are easier said than done, but she wasn't making it easy anyway.

vikingwolf's review against another edition

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3.0

This was a book I had wanted to read for years, ever since I saw the film with Faye Dunaway in superb form as Joan Crawford. It is written by the disgruntled adopted daughter who was said to have written the book after being cut from her mother's will, if the film is correct.

There were rumours about Joan's treatment of her children through her life, something that rival Bette Davis revelled in talking to the media about. I found this to be a good book but I much preferred the film.

kirst1lucie's review

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2.0

Had some okay parts, but it was way too long. I almost dnf so many times, but I have a compulsive need to finish books so.. Yeah. Would not recommend.