Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this memoir. I wasn't a huge Selma Blair fan and the only work of hers that truly stands out to me is Cruel Intentions, but I had heard this was a good listen so I decided to pick up the audio. I'm so glad I did. Not only is this book beautifully written, raw and honest, but Blair's narration is incredible and super emotional. Her life is interesting and she tells her story in a really compelling way. For me the best parts of the book were from when she had her son and after - she gets into her sobriety, MS diagnosis, and everything that happened after. The one thing I feel like was missing is more about how she got into the industry - it seemed like, boom, she's an actor, but I know it had to have been more complex than that. Either way, this is a really good celebrity memoir, and I highly recommend it, whether you are a Selma Blair fan or not.

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anjasshelf's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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acresofclams's review

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hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

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paigicus's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

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elisalasater's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.75

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chelsss_ann's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

4.75

I've been wanting to read or listen to this memoir since I found out Selma Blair was writing one. I knew with her MS diagnosis that it would be one that really intrigued me. While Selma Blair doesn't talk much about her diagnosis until near the end of the book, she does tell a story that shows how she's struggled with this disease for most of her life without ever knowing what was causing the pain and hardships. And it makes me wonder how many other people go through life undiagnosed with some disease because they either think the pain is normal or because people have let them down.

I found her relationships with her parents to be quite interesting. Her perception of her childhood really set the scene for her choices and struggles as an adult. I'm not sure how her father could have acted the way he did. It's just mind boggling to me. I admired how Selma was very self aware throughout this book, including in the acknowledgments when she mentioned how our view of our childhoods revolves around us, so we might not describe it as others would.

As for Selma Blair narrating this herself...I think I could listen to almost anything she narrates. She is an amazing narrator and her voice (unless she's crying) is just so soothing to me. I found myself wanting to listen to this not just because she's a great writer, but because I kept being drawn to her voice. This is a beautiful memoir, and one I highly suggest anyone listen to. However, she does talk about her struggle with alcohol, sexual assault, and an eating disorder, so be aware if any of this is a trigger for you.

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