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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Honest, raw and incredibly moving. I don't think this book will ever leave me.
It's been a couple of years since I put this book down. But here's what I remember: I felt it was endearing and disarming that the author went into pretty graphic details about her private moments. I found the intimacy in her story so brave to bare. She wasn't poetic about it. She didn't seem to try to make it more epic sounding. She seemed to talk as an observer as well as the heroin. I thought it was a little dryer than I would have cared for but the "dryness" of it actually added to the mood of death in her story. Like she died just a little every time she behaved in accordance with her eating disorder.
It's not a book that makes you feel good. It's just kind of empathetic, commiserating, it's just talking. Which is kind of nice...a book where the author just observes themselves.
It's not a book that makes you feel good. It's just kind of empathetic, commiserating, it's just talking. Which is kind of nice...a book where the author just observes themselves.
I waivered between 2 and 3 stars on this and ultimately went down to two. It was a hard book to get into and the middle seemed to drag on in a sense of "this woman needs help - why won't anyone help her?" The way she portrayed her thoughts during the time that she wouldn't eat was very good and very real.
However, it seemed like a lot of details were removed. Did no one on the set of Ally McBeal notice or help? I wanted more from that TV show set. What happened on the movie set after she passed out? The book read like an anorexic's diary for about 275 pages... and then it jumped to happily ever after. I actually flipped back because I thought I missed a section.
This book was a solid 3 stars before the epilogue. I want more on how she recovered, how her girlfriend at the time helped, how her family or friends reacted. I want to know how therapy went and what she realized about all of the things that she was insecure about throughout the rest of the book. Eating disorders don't just go away, but I don't buy the whole "I can now just eat what I want and stay at 130 pounds" either. This book needed a little more structure, a little more editing and more chapters before the epilogue.
However, it seemed like a lot of details were removed. Did no one on the set of Ally McBeal notice or help? I wanted more from that TV show set. What happened on the movie set after she passed out? The book read like an anorexic's diary for about 275 pages... and then it jumped to happily ever after. I actually flipped back because I thought I missed a section.
This book was a solid 3 stars before the epilogue. I want more on how she recovered, how her girlfriend at the time helped, how her family or friends reacted. I want to know how therapy went and what she realized about all of the things that she was insecure about throughout the rest of the book. Eating disorders don't just go away, but I don't buy the whole "I can now just eat what I want and stay at 130 pounds" either. This book needed a little more structure, a little more editing and more chapters before the epilogue.
I couldn't put it down. And I thought it'd be celebrity fluff that I don't usually read...
It is beautifully written, I never would have thought that she didn't use a ghost writer. As I already said, this is not a book I would usually read, but I am sure glad I did. I learnt so much and was truly moved by it. It is going on the list as one of my favourite books of all time, surprisingly.
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It is beautifully written, I never would have thought that she didn't use a ghost writer. As I already said, this is not a book I would usually read, but I am sure glad I did. I learnt so much and was truly moved by it. It is going on the list as one of my favourite books of all time, surprisingly.
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I think it must have taken a lot of courage to create something so soul bearing and personal to yourself. Her words and the world she created for herself had me captivated, even knowing that there was a happy ending in sight I couldn't help but feel real fear for her.
It was an interesting read, that's for sure. It was unexpected and honest, but I guess I was missing a bit more background? Also, the end seemed a bit rushed.
Before the book, all I knew about Portia de Rossi was that she was married to Ellen. I probably expected a bit more biography in the book.
However, it was a very interesting book!
Before the book, all I knew about Portia de Rossi was that she was married to Ellen. I probably expected a bit more biography in the book.
However, it was a very interesting book!
There are no words for how good this was. I loved reading her struggle with anorexia and bulimia. She nailed it from the perspective and insight as one who intimately struggled with those diseases. Such a cautionary tale for women, especially the unrealistic standards Hollywood is creating! Wish I could give it to all my youth kids who struggle with looks/false lies/anorexia/bulimia.
There are no words. I loved reading her struggle with anorexia and bulimia. She nailed it from the perspective and insight as one who intimately struggled with those diseases. Such a cautionary tale for women, especially the unrealistic standards Hollywood is creating!
I finally finished this book! It is the worst book I have read all year and it was very difficult to finish. I know that de Rossi is an intelligent woman but she comes off as incredibly vapid and shallow. The Epilogue is not as horrible as the rest of the book but I really think she could have enriched this book with a more reflective view of her experience.
dark
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced