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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
What a breezily written but heartrending memoir. JVN is my favorite of the Fab Five, and this honest account of his life so far has given me even more appreciation for the beautiful and upbeat person he is. His experiences as a gay and gender-fluid person in a small, repressive town will sadly resonate with a lot of people and I think it's so important that people in his position see that a happy ending can come of it, even in spite of many obstacles and dangers along the way.
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
Listened to the audiobook. He's definitely not a writer, but there are some flawed/funny stories, some in particular about risk-taking, boundary issues, and sorting through your multiple performative-selves that I think teens especially will find relatable. He does at least acknowledge that his family privilege got him out of some circumstances that others would not be able to bounce back from. A mostly interesting listen.
What an incredible memoir. Multiple content warnings for drugs, sexual abuse, and more, so take breaks when needed. But overall a heartwarming and enlightening read.
Like others have said - listen to the audible version as he narrates it himself. I think it would have been difficult to read but with the audio version you get to hear not only JVN words but his emotions as well.
Fellow Queer Eye fans, we all love JVN, right? This guy sparkles on TV and brings so much laughter, love and light into the lives of thousands. In this memoir, Jonathan shares the story of his life. He has been through some serious stuff - bullying, sexual abuse, eating disorders, a tough medical diagnosis - and has shared it all with us. He wasn’t always the amazing, fierce queen we see on screen and it was fascinating to read his journey from a young boy in Illinois to the wonderful person he is today. The book is written exactly how he talks and I am so here for it. After all the tough things he’s been through, it’s amazing how he’s come out the other side as a strong, loving, self-confident star.
Five and a half stars. JVN comes through! A delicate introduction to the internal family systems therapy practice, a memoir of facing gnarled traumas and the backlash they can cause, and a delight to have it narrated by JVN. Fun, touching, and well done.
Jonathan Van Ness bares his soul in Over the Top. He is honest and vulnerable about the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that brought him to where he is today. I got an audiobook copy and thoroughly enjoyed JVN’s narration. There is quite a bit of trauma explored in this book - sexual abuse, addiction, self harm, anxiety, HIV/AIDS, bullying, etc. - but JVN exemplifies the necessity of self worth, self love, and a supportive community that have helped him rebuild. Highly recommend.