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issyd23's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
linda_elaine's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Sexism, and Sexual assault
yourfriendgil's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Sexism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, and Eating disorder
alexia445's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Drug abuse
Minor: War
444lex444ndr444's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Drug abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence
hushedreads's review against another edition
2.75
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Drug abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, and Drug use
Minor: Sexual content, Death, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
shelbitedeschi's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Death, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Sexism
greyt_things's review against another edition
2.0
But holy problematic wowsers. This book is just one long red flag and made for a deeply uncomfortable reading experience.
What Priscilla recounts as a great love story is straight up toxic grooming, manipulation and control, emotional and sometimes physical abuse, with a massive power and age imbalance thrown in for good measure.
I mean, you know from the get-go this is going to be a hot mess at best when their relationship begins when she was a 14 year old school girl, and he a 24 year old global music and movie superstar, #smdh
I started highlighting each dodgy/repugnant/straight up WTactualF moment but gave up when it was basically every damn anecdote.
The book was published in 1986 and I wonder if, with the benefit of our more enlightened times (thank God for the #metoo discourse), if she still sees it this way?
As I read Priscilla's words, I keep thinking about this quote from My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell:
"I can’t lose the thing I’ve held onto for so long, you know?” My face twists up from the pain of pushing it out. “I just really need it to be a love story, you know? I really, really need it to be that.”
“I know,” she says.
“Because if it isn’t a love story, then what is it”? I look to her glassy eyes, her face of wide open empathy. “It’s my life,” I say. “This has been my whole life."
Priscilla ends her memoir on their relationship with this in her epilogue:
"So much has been said and written about Elvis from those who knew him well to those who did not and said they did. I hoped to give a better perception of what he was as a man. Other books have painted a picture rather less than flattering, harboring on weaknesses, eccentricities, violent temper tantrums, perversions, and drug abuse. I wanted to write about love and precious, wonderful moments and ones filled with grief and disappointments, about a man’s triumphs and defeats, much of it with a child-woman at his side, feeling and experiencing his pain and joys as if they were one."
Again, with the benefit of time passed, I'm not sure she achieved what she set out to, though that reference she was a child-woman is at least a start to acknowledge the toxic truth of the situation.
I'm off to take a long shower to clean the ick from this book off me.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Body shaming
itsalilbitalexis's review against another edition
4.0
"Blinded by love, I saw none of his faults or weaknesses. He was to become the passion of my life. He taught me everything: how to dress, how to walk, how to apply makeup and wear my hair, how to behave, how to return love-his way. Over the years he became my father, husband, and very nearly God."
I'm coming to realize that I should read more memoirs of people I don't really know anything about, because it's so special to hear a story for the first time. I feel that way about Priscilla & Elvis's story... I never knew anything about them, besides Elvis's fame and knowing they had a beautiful love story. So listening to Priscilla talk about their love story, with no prior knowledge, was exceptionally intriguing!
I loved the personality she brought to her narration - her giggles, the way she explains things bluntly and to the point, while still maintaining an air of beauty around her story. It was fantastic! Obviously, there are aspects to their story that are controversial, and a little dark - but I don't want my review to highlight those, as I think Priscilla deserves credit where so much credit is due for sharing her story.
This was a quick and enjoyable memoir, and as normal - I LOVED listening to it as narrated by the author herself. I would definitely recommend!
Moderate: Drug use and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Stalking
roxfoxreads89's review against another edition
3.5
However, I’m continually shocked at how many famous men are child predators.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy