Scan barcode
kamrynkoble's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Wow. Even though it was obvious that Priscilla danced around a lot that would make Elvis look bad, he comes across as a basket case and I think Priscilla might have the patience of a saint. If I were her, I would have had several mental breakdowns dealing with all of this.
This was written in the 1980s and I would be very curious what she thought of it now. I’m a little horrified by all Priscilla was put through, and it seemed a bit like she hadn’t even acknowledged the magnitude of what grown adults did when she was a literal child.
This paints in pretty broad strokes. There’s some honesty, but everything is so big picture that it never dives too deeply into anything. I did love the glimpses at the end about her finally discovering more of herself beyond who Elvis wanted her to be, but this whole book is definitely more focused on him.
It’s honestly very sad how loving/concerned about each other they were during and after their divorce. It just did not have to be this way. I frequently wished I could’ve hugged Priscilla—someone should have. It seemed like she was terribly alone even in rooms full of other people.
I’m very excited for the upcoming A24 movie based on this. It was my final push to read this.
This was written in the 1980s and I would be very curious what she thought of it now. I’m a little horrified by all Priscilla was put through, and it seemed a bit like she hadn’t even acknowledged the magnitude of what grown adults did when she was a literal child.
This paints in pretty broad strokes. There’s some honesty, but everything is so big picture that it never dives too deeply into anything. I did love the glimpses at the end about her finally discovering more of herself beyond who Elvis wanted her to be, but this whole book is definitely more focused on him.
It’s honestly very sad how loving/concerned about each other they were during and after their divorce. It just did not have to be this way. I frequently wished I could’ve hugged Priscilla—someone should have. It seemed like she was terribly alone even in rooms full of other people.
I’m very excited for the upcoming A24 movie based on this. It was my final push to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug abuse
frannysal's review against another edition
dark
informative
sad
fast-paced
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Drug abuse
Minor: Rape, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
wifescullys's review against another edition
3.5
What a fucking freak (Elvis Presley), not with affection
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Domestic abuse
noot_noot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Eye opening
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Infidelity
sarahreadsalotofbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I knew Elvis was a mess but I didn’t realize he was an abusive groomer.
He began grooming Priscilla when she was 14 telling her how to behave, what to wear, how to wear her makeup. By the time she was 16 they were sexually involved and he had convinced her to take sexual photos. He was emotionally and mentally abusive, as well as physically abusive at times.
Throughout all of this he was also grooming her parents, eventually getting them to consent to allow her to leave them to go live with him for the remainder of her high school years.
Priscilla comes across as someone with Stockholm syndrome finding his behavior humorous as she narrated this at times. She describes the time he raped her as “forcefully made love to her”.
As despicable a person as he was, this was a well-written, informative book.
He began grooming Priscilla when she was 14 telling her how to behave, what to wear, how to wear her makeup. By the time she was 16 they were sexually involved and he had convinced her to take sexual photos. He was emotionally and mentally abusive, as well as physically abusive at times.
Throughout all of this he was also grooming her parents, eventually getting them to consent to allow her to leave them to go live with him for the remainder of her high school years.
Priscilla comes across as someone with Stockholm syndrome finding his behavior humorous as she narrated this at times. She describes the time he raped her as “forcefully made love to her”.
As despicable a person as he was, this was a well-written, informative book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, Cursing, Mental illness, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Rape, Infidelity, and Sexual content
blueeyedshook's review against another edition
4.0
The story of Elvis and Priscilla is actually quite shocking. I had no idea they met and got together when Priscilla was 14 with Elvis 10 years older than her. And her parents just let it happen. They even let her go live with him in America while they were still stationed in Germany!! Whoa. Seriously?! I kept waiting to find out that I was misunderstanding, but then she'd talk about being 16 and going to school or whatever. I know she has come out and said that it was a different time. Still, he felt predatory. He sought her out. He said she reminded him of his little sister. He would have her come over and lay in bed with her after parties (but just talk for hours.....wanting to save intimacy for a time when they were "ready" because it was so important to him). It felt like he was grooming her. Even once she was older, he didn't want her to have a job as a model because he wanted his woman home to care for him. I know it was a "different time" but not like biblical times! Adults dating minors was still frowned upon.....RIGHT?!
Anyway, Priscilla narrating the audiobook was worth it all. She is so clearly still in love with him--which is why I think she was a bit in denial about how weird or inappropriate some of their relationship was, as well as in denial about how he acted in some ways like not knowing what the drugs he offered her would do to her.....yes! He offered her drugs at a very young teen age as well.) She would laugh while she was reading, and it made it so much more real and relatable. Her little giggle at his humor was so cute. I really enjoyed listening to her read it, and of course here about Elvis.
Anyway, Priscilla narrating the audiobook was worth it all. She is so clearly still in love with him--which is why I think she was a bit in denial about how weird or inappropriate some of their relationship was, as well as in denial about how he acted in some ways like not knowing what the drugs he offered her would do to her.....yes! He offered her drugs at a very young teen age as well.) She would laugh while she was reading, and it made it so much more real and relatable. Her little giggle at his humor was so cute. I really enjoyed listening to her read it, and of course here about Elvis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Addiction, Cursing, and Emotional abuse
briski's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Ok so here’s the thing. I’m in my Elvis era. I’ve been in my Elvis era because I’m a slut for some Baz Luhrmann cinematic mania and for Austin Butler but PRISCILLA. The amount of times I audibly said yikes was far too many. The amount of time I heard the word karate was far too many. Who would have guessed martial arts would be what lead to Priscilla’s awakening moment? And while there were soooooooooooooooooooooo many red flags (none of which PP really called out) that ending really did make me a little sad. Things I feel are worth remembering
Elvis took PP to the morgue as adventurous little trips
PP took lessons from Chuck Norris
When PP met Elvis she had JUST turned 14 and he was dressed like a target employee eating bacon sandwiches with mustard
He rented out entire movie theaters and roller rinks
They fully stood up on roller coasters
He died at the same age as him mom
PP refused to gain weight during her pregnancy and they were banging up until the last 6 weeks of her pregnancy
EDIT I’m bumping this up from 3 to 3.5 because I’m still thinking about it. That doesn’t mean it’s exceptionally well written but I think it deserves a boost for how long it’s lingered in my brain. Truly the morgue stuff is gonna be a permanent resident in my mind. I can’t believe that was real.
Elvis took PP to the morgue as adventurous little trips
PP took lessons from Chuck Norris
When PP met Elvis she had JUST turned 14 and he was dressed like a target employee eating bacon sandwiches with mustard
He rented out entire movie theaters and roller rinks
They fully stood up on roller coasters
He died at the same age as him mom
PP refused to gain weight during her pregnancy and they were banging up until the last 6 weeks of her pregnancy
EDIT I’m bumping this up from 3 to 3.5 because I’m still thinking about it. That doesn’t mean it’s exceptionally well written but I think it deserves a boost for how long it’s lingered in my brain. Truly the morgue stuff is gonna be a permanent resident in my mind. I can’t believe that was real.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Death, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Drug use, Body shaming, and Misogyny
americattt's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
3.25
"That night he read to me, searching for answers, jus as he had done the year before and the year before that and the years before that."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse
Moderate: Violence
rickieskidmore's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
More...