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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
dark
Well written and very relatable, I found de Rossi's memoir riveting, especially in the way that her dieting addiction, anorexia and bulimia were tied into hiding her sexuality.
A difficult and challenging read. Well written & gives an interesting insight into the thinking that can lead to disordered eating & the consequences of hiding who you really are. I admire Portia's bravery in being this honest.
In this book Portia de Rossi tells of her struggle with anorexia and with her sexuality. I thought it was a pretty awesome story despite its sad themes. Mostly I just thought it was inspiring to read because I really felt like I was in Portia's head and even though we don't/didn't have the same issues, the way she struggled with hers is sort of the way I struggle with mine (the drill sergeant/not actually noticing that no one else sees these terrible things we see about ourselves). So it inspired me to take a good look at how I live my life and maybe figure out a healthier approach.
My only issue with this book was the end. The whole book seems to build and build and build and then all of a sudden everything is all wrapped up in the epilogue. I was really annoyed with that at first but then the epilogue is pretty thorough and "conclusiony" that I guess it is okay...
My only issue with this book was the end. The whole book seems to build and build and build and then all of a sudden everything is all wrapped up in the epilogue. I was really annoyed with that at first but then the epilogue is pretty thorough and "conclusiony" that I guess it is okay...
I like Portia de Rossi for a lot of reasons. She's Australian, she was in Arrested Development, she's with Ellen, she's vegan...Now I like her a lot more because she's so devastatingly honest. "Unbearable Lightness" made me uncomfortable with its bare, brutal exposing of the lengths the mind goes to to keep one small - literally and figuratively. In Portia's case, she developed an obsessive internal "drill sergeant" to keep her in line, always under pressure, always falling short of perfection. I recognized in her my own fear of failure and "need" to be special, at all costs. Her story is like a hyper-exaggerated version of how a lot of us (especially women) feel about our bodies and our relationship to food, particularly as it relates to (the illusion of) control. Her writing style is easy and engaging - especially if you overlook the smattering of typos - and the peek behind the artifice of Hollywood culture is fascinatingly real. I commend her for sharing a deeply vulnerable story that likely resonates for many of us on a level far deeper than we might have expected.
Beautifully written. Intense and at times, completely heartbreaking. Must read.
Actress Portia de Rossi chronicles her journey with anorexia and bulimia. I appreciated her honesty, but I wish she had spent more time exploring her recovery.
I actually really liked this gripping tale of eating disorder. I didn't know much of portia's life coming into this but was really taken back by her incredible struggle to light and health. She truely is an accomplished writer and makes us feel like we're right there in the mix of her out of control lifestyle. Inspiring read for both recovering anorexics and those struggling with their sexuality.
Found this really interesting - and it was a fairly short read! I can't believe that girls suffer this way, it really brings to light an issue that so many struggle with silently.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced