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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
kingfreckle02's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy
outsmartyourshelf's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
I'm not an Elvis fan as such, my musical tastes are more for the 80s & 90s, & I always thought his films were a bit twee, apart from maybe Flaming Star & Kid Galahad. For me he was like JFK (in more ways than one), everyone talked about him being handsome, but I could never really see it. This is a difficult book to rate. There's no ignoring (nor should we) the fact that Priscilla was 14 when they met, & only 16 when they started living together - it was wrong, she was underage, & far too young for him. It gave me the ick every time he referred to her as "Little Girl", I mean, she basically was. Plus he gave her sleeping pills so she could keep up with his 'party late/sleep late' lifestyle & attend school! This is Priscilla's book & I'm rating & reviewing it on that.
She paints the picture of a relationship & eventual marriage to a man who had everything a person could dream of with fame & fortune, but who was, at heart, deeply unhappy. He seemed controlling & emotionally manipulative of his inner circle, yet the other side of him spoiled those around him with gifts & wanted everyone to be content. Priscilla admits that she spent too much of her young life consumed with being who Elvis wanted her to be rather than being herself. It was good to see her finally admit that things weren't working & they were both unhappy & have the strength to move on & live her own life.
I didn't give this the full 5 stars as I feel the author skipped over things quite quickly & spends a lot time excusing Elvis for some of the things he did. It was an interesting read but an uncomfortable one as you are aware of her young age whilst all this is going on. I have some other books about Elvis on my TBR so it will be interesting to compare those to this one, once I get around to reading them.
She paints the picture of a relationship & eventual marriage to a man who had everything a person could dream of with fame & fortune, but who was, at heart, deeply unhappy. He seemed controlling & emotionally manipulative of his inner circle, yet the other side of him spoiled those around him with gifts & wanted everyone to be content. Priscilla admits that she spent too much of her young life consumed with being who Elvis wanted her to be rather than being herself. It was good to see her finally admit that things weren't working & they were both unhappy & have the strength to move on & live her own life.
I didn't give this the full 5 stars as I feel the author skipped over things quite quickly & spends a lot time excusing Elvis for some of the things he did. It was an interesting read but an uncomfortable one as you are aware of her young age whilst all this is going on. I have some other books about Elvis on my TBR so it will be interesting to compare those to this one, once I get around to reading them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Adult/minor relationship, and Toxic relationship
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
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
i can't rate this. how do you rate this? all i know is that i'm crying. my poor little heart needs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, War, and Fatphobia
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
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
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