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awalkerstory's review
5.0
Such an incredible lady, I can’t wait to add this one to my forever shelf.
lisakerd's review
3.0
It was a treat to read her rags-to-riches story from the Queen of Country herself, which was filled with anecdotes and sprinkled with Dolly’s spunky humor.
The autobiography’s biggest failing (in my opinion) was the lackadaisical flow of narrative—shifting between stories and rarely mentioning a year or Dolly’s age. This made the timeline murky and difficult to conceptualize. It also oftentimes felt that her book was one long “Acknowledgements” page—name-dropping producers, friends, family, etc. every time she had the chance.
Overall a charming read.
The autobiography’s biggest failing (in my opinion) was the lackadaisical flow of narrative—shifting between stories and rarely mentioning a year or Dolly’s age. This made the timeline murky and difficult to conceptualize. It also oftentimes felt that her book was one long “Acknowledgements” page—name-dropping producers, friends, family, etc. every time she had the chance.
Overall a charming read.
vasbel's review
4.0
This book was part autobiography, part advertisement, and part a book on theology.
Dolly Rebecca Parton was raised in a large, poor family. They didn't have much in terms of material possessions, with every toy and treat being special to Dolly's childhood, but they did have each other. A line from her song Poor Folks Town says it best: "We got no money but we're rich in love." The first section of the book is devoted to her childhood. Lots of interesting and funny quips, as well as insightful, spiritual moments. Dolly's career in show business began as a child, with her uncle helping to record a record and get her on local radio. After graduating high school (the first in her family!), she moved to Nashville, and the rest is history. She made it onto Porter Wagoner's show, where she gained recognition. After 7 years, she left to forge her own path and became the superstar she was born to be.
Her journey to superstardom involves many different characters. Dolly has been blessed with incredible help from people in the business to get to the level she achieved. While it was difficult to keep track of everyone and the different roles they played in helping her career, I chose to focus on her and not them. As a huge fan, I want Dolly write about whatever she wants. If you aren't a huge fan, I can see why the second half of the book would be not so fun to read. At times it does come off as bragging. But wouldn't you brag about your number one hits and number one movies?? She willing talks about her failures as well. Confident women are often called vain, while vain men are often called confident. Dolly Parton, as the public knows her, is a persona she has embraced unabashedly. She has used her success to do a lot of good. For someone to be so extremely feminine, with the shrewdest business sense, it's no surprise she succeeded. She mentions how she is able to take business execs off guard because they aren't expecting someone as intelligent as her.
"They think I'm simpleminded because I seem to be happy. Why shouldn't I be happy? I have everything I ever wanted and more. Maybe I am simpleminded. Maybe that's the key: simple."
Dolly Parton's life is one of love. Part of her love and happiness is derived from her love of God and faith. While I am not super religious, I greatly appreciate the spirituality of Dolly Parton. She criticizes organized religion and consistently emphasizes her personal relationship with God, starting from her childhood.
In summation, I love Dolly. She has overcome so much to achieve success; it's inspirational. The book reads as if she is talking to you. Some parts are a drag, but even then I took care to grab some snippets of Dollyisms. The Q&A at the end was hilarious!
Dolly Rebecca Parton was raised in a large, poor family. They didn't have much in terms of material possessions, with every toy and treat being special to Dolly's childhood, but they did have each other. A line from her song Poor Folks Town says it best: "We got no money but we're rich in love." The first section of the book is devoted to her childhood. Lots of interesting and funny quips, as well as insightful, spiritual moments. Dolly's career in show business began as a child, with her uncle helping to record a record and get her on local radio. After graduating high school (the first in her family!), she moved to Nashville, and the rest is history. She made it onto Porter Wagoner's show, where she gained recognition. After 7 years, she left to forge her own path and became the superstar she was born to be.
Her journey to superstardom involves many different characters. Dolly has been blessed with incredible help from people in the business to get to the level she achieved. While it was difficult to keep track of everyone and the different roles they played in helping her career, I chose to focus on her and not them. As a huge fan, I want Dolly write about whatever she wants. If you aren't a huge fan, I can see why the second half of the book would be not so fun to read. At times it does come off as bragging. But wouldn't you brag about your number one hits and number one movies?? She willing talks about her failures as well. Confident women are often called vain, while vain men are often called confident. Dolly Parton, as the public knows her, is a persona she has embraced unabashedly. She has used her success to do a lot of good. For someone to be so extremely feminine, with the shrewdest business sense, it's no surprise she succeeded. She mentions how she is able to take business execs off guard because they aren't expecting someone as intelligent as her.
"They think I'm simpleminded because I seem to be happy. Why shouldn't I be happy? I have everything I ever wanted and more. Maybe I am simpleminded. Maybe that's the key: simple."
Dolly Parton's life is one of love. Part of her love and happiness is derived from her love of God and faith. While I am not super religious, I greatly appreciate the spirituality of Dolly Parton. She criticizes organized religion and consistently emphasizes her personal relationship with God, starting from her childhood.
In summation, I love Dolly. She has overcome so much to achieve success; it's inspirational. The book reads as if she is talking to you. Some parts are a drag, but even then I took care to grab some snippets of Dollyisms. The Q&A at the end was hilarious!
kayceslitlife's review
4.0
A breath of fresh air! The world needs more down to earth people like Dolly.
kmatthe2's review
5.0
I love Dolly and how she performs her Dolly-ness in this book. All the lore is here, as well as her ability/effort to speak to multiple (and ofttimes conflicting) audiences. 28 years old, the book is also evidence of how Dolly has grown into the current moment.
breenmachine's review
4.0
It was fun to learn more about Dolly. She is a lovely person. Her ability to answer a question while not answering is hilarious and very talented. I read the book but I definitely heard her voice narrating the whole thing. Also much to my surprise at the end, she recommends a book about Edgar Cayce. A fellow Cayce follower :)
baconsaur's review
4.0
Dolly is so positive and you can hear that she wrote this book. It has its moments, but it’s a lovely memoir of her life up until it was published in 1994. I definitely need to read the newer edition to see how her mindset has shifted in certain areas. My favorite thing is that everyone in the book is referred to as a dear, close friend. Everyone!