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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I wouldn't have known that this book existed if it wasn't for some quotes I read on Tumblr; quotes that were simple and yet truthful, and they spoke to me enough that I decided to read the book.
It's not an easy book to read, at least if you ever had any kind of problems relating food (and who hasn't? among girls, if not everyone), but it's a book to read.
The writing is simple in a good way, and I actually read it in two days because I just couldn't stop.
It's not an easy book to read, at least if you ever had any kind of problems relating food (and who hasn't? among girls, if not everyone), but it's a book to read.
The writing is simple in a good way, and I actually read it in two days because I just couldn't stop.
This year as LibraryLove and I trek our way through the alphabet in books, it would be hard to go in order from A to Z. I say this because sometimes books are available at the library out of order, such as Unbearable Lightness. Therefore, I’m starting off 2011 with Book U! That’s right– sometimes I march to the beat of my own drum.
First of all, I have to say how good it felt to take my time with a book and slow the pace down from 2010′s challenge. I had fun reading 52 books, but I am looking forward to longer selections in 2011 as we have more time for each book. I think it will bring some of the fun back into reading that may have felt like an obligation last year.
Portia de Rossi’s memoir is, well in a word, shocking. She details a 20 year battle with eating disorders (both anorexia and bulimia) in detail. Getting to her lowest weight of 82 pounds, Portia did this by eating just 300 calories a day and taking up to 20 laxatives a day. This, combined with hours of relentless exercise and obsession with working out, caused her to eventually pass out and be forced to deal with things.
I chose this book after seeing it featured on (of course) The Ellen DeGeneres Show and having my curiosity piqued. A family friend’s daughter has struggled with anorexia but I do not know much of her struggle. I’ve not been up close with an eating disorder (that I know of) and I can’t imagine what pain and suffering that feels like. Eating disorders lead to an obsession of not only calories, foods in versus foods out, and obsessing over exercise. It consumes your every thought, move, meal, and minute of everyday as you find yourself hiding from those closest to you. Of course, this is only what I’ve been told based on reading Portia’s story.
In addition to Portia’s struggle with eating disorders and self image issues, she was hiding another very real part of her life while in the Hollywood eye. Her sexuality remained hidden for years as she struggled with finding herself and her confidence to live life unashamed. I can’t imagine keeping not one, but TWO huge secrets like that all while being filmed, followed, photographed, and watched constantly. Unbearable Lightness will make the reader feel compassionate yet hopeful as you are taken deep into the darkness that used to be de Rossi’s life. I admire her openness with this story, not because people want to know in the sick way that give papparazi jobs, but because I am confident her story will help countless others. If another girl, woman, boy, or man struggling with eating disorders and/or their sexual identity can feel liberated and encouraged with this story, it would make it all worth Portia’s sharing.
Bravo to Portia for finding herself, staying true to herself, and for having the heart to share it with others that may still be in the darkness. A beautifully written memoir, Unbearable Lightness is not to be missed! For those who don’t know about eating disorders and haven’t experienced it either first hand or through a loved one, let yourself be opened to this very real struggle going on all over the world.
4/5 stars.
Fabookulous
Up next: Book G! (Like I said, going out of order when the opportunity arises… Growing Up Laughing by Marlo Thomas is in the queue!)
http://bookwormz2010.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/book-u-fabookulous/
First of all, I have to say how good it felt to take my time with a book and slow the pace down from 2010′s challenge. I had fun reading 52 books, but I am looking forward to longer selections in 2011 as we have more time for each book. I think it will bring some of the fun back into reading that may have felt like an obligation last year.
Portia de Rossi’s memoir is, well in a word, shocking. She details a 20 year battle with eating disorders (both anorexia and bulimia) in detail. Getting to her lowest weight of 82 pounds, Portia did this by eating just 300 calories a day and taking up to 20 laxatives a day. This, combined with hours of relentless exercise and obsession with working out, caused her to eventually pass out and be forced to deal with things.
I chose this book after seeing it featured on (of course) The Ellen DeGeneres Show and having my curiosity piqued. A family friend’s daughter has struggled with anorexia but I do not know much of her struggle. I’ve not been up close with an eating disorder (that I know of) and I can’t imagine what pain and suffering that feels like. Eating disorders lead to an obsession of not only calories, foods in versus foods out, and obsessing over exercise. It consumes your every thought, move, meal, and minute of everyday as you find yourself hiding from those closest to you. Of course, this is only what I’ve been told based on reading Portia’s story.
In addition to Portia’s struggle with eating disorders and self image issues, she was hiding another very real part of her life while in the Hollywood eye. Her sexuality remained hidden for years as she struggled with finding herself and her confidence to live life unashamed. I can’t imagine keeping not one, but TWO huge secrets like that all while being filmed, followed, photographed, and watched constantly. Unbearable Lightness will make the reader feel compassionate yet hopeful as you are taken deep into the darkness that used to be de Rossi’s life. I admire her openness with this story, not because people want to know in the sick way that give papparazi jobs, but because I am confident her story will help countless others. If another girl, woman, boy, or man struggling with eating disorders and/or their sexual identity can feel liberated and encouraged with this story, it would make it all worth Portia’s sharing.
Bravo to Portia for finding herself, staying true to herself, and for having the heart to share it with others that may still be in the darkness. A beautifully written memoir, Unbearable Lightness is not to be missed! For those who don’t know about eating disorders and haven’t experienced it either first hand or through a loved one, let yourself be opened to this very real struggle going on all over the world.
4/5 stars.
Fabookulous
Up next: Book G! (Like I said, going out of order when the opportunity arises… Growing Up Laughing by Marlo Thomas is in the queue!)
http://bookwormz2010.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/book-u-fabookulous/
Outstanding. It was incredibly well-written, honest, and heart-breakingly scary. Being in her mind, hearing her justify her actions and obsessions, was so raw. At times I had to walk away because it her voice was bleeding into my own and making me obsess over weight and dieting.
I'm incredibly happy that Portia has overcome such obstacles and decided to share her wisdom and story. It was powerful and appreciated. I'm glad she overcame her health issues because of her journey and her life is more enriched because of it.
I'm incredibly happy that Portia has overcome such obstacles and decided to share her wisdom and story. It was powerful and appreciated. I'm glad she overcame her health issues because of her journey and her life is more enriched because of it.
Okay, the positives of this book are that it was very honest in its portrayal of eating disorders and the pressures of being in Hollywood. I can imagine how hard it would be to write this and know that you were putting ALL your business out there for the world to read about. So, good on ya, Portia de Rossi.
Negative: Lots of other people have said this, but it needed an editor to polish it up a bit more.
Overall, it was fine. I read it quickly, and that's that!
Negative: Lots of other people have said this, but it needed an editor to polish it up a bit more.
Overall, it was fine. I read it quickly, and that's that!
Okay, this was REALLY good. She's an excellent writer and the story was both heartbreaking and crazy uplifting. I never write reviews so, yeah. Read this.
this is one of the most powerful books i’ve ever read. the hardest parts for me were the ones where she was talking about her recovery. her and ellen are the best people and it’s so obvious they adore each other.
i don’t know how to review memoirs. 9/10 for making me bleed my own blood and understand some things a little better.
i don’t know how to review memoirs. 9/10 for making me bleed my own blood and understand some things a little better.
I loved Ally Mcbeal, and I loved Portia's character Nelle Porter. It was mind-blowing to learn all of the things that had been going on in her head during the filming. Portia is a very good writer. Completely honest, very vivid, and definitely brings you right into the mind of the sick person, not the healthy one looking back. I've seen a few interviews of her talking about the book and you can tell just how emotional it was to write this (and still talk about it). If anyone ever wants to know just what body image and food can do to a person, they should read this book. She mentions more than once, anorexia and bulimia are horrible, but also people who live their lives on a diet, always focusing on their food etc. is horrible as well. I can relate to that part.
Wow. This was really painful to read. esepcially the parts when Portia would demean herself. She would eate 6 Ounces of yougurt, and then do an Intensive workout to combat any calories.
It's really sad.
It's really sad.
Overall, I enjoyed this memoir. De Rossi got a bit preachy toward the end (especially with the vegan bit!).
Heavy and in depth. There is nothing humorous about Portia de Rossi's discussion of the horrors of her eating disorder so don't expect a light read.