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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I liked it! Did the audiobook so she read it. Very true to the Priscilla movie which I really enjoyed (well I guess the movie is true to this book)
Hoo boy.
I’ve been in a non-fiction mood since picking up Britney’s new book, so with the release of Priscilla, [b: Elvis and Me|63376550|Elvis and Me The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll|Priscilla Beaulieu Presley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1685351804l/63376550._SY75_.jpg|228487] felt like the obvious next move.
I will say, I went into this book with a lot of antagonism for Elvis. I like his music, casually, but I’ve seen a few documentaries on him in recent years that made me really dislike him as a person. Let me tell you, this book didn’t change that opinion whatsoever.
I didn’t realize until I had finished that this is quite an old book, originally published less than ten years after Elvis’ death, and now that I know that, it definitely makes me look at the book in a very certain way.
Elvis and Me simultaneously felt like a bit like a fly-over look at Priscilla’s relationship with Elvis. I definitely learned a lot about their relationship that I didn’t know, but I feel like Priscilla fell short on really examining a lot of the situations she was put into or the things she experienced during the time that she knew Elvis. Mostly, what we’re told is anecdotes showcasing Elvis to be a manipulative and emotionally immature person with the capacity for kindness and charm, his shortcomings mostly written off as character quirks. There are various points where Priscilla acknowledges how Elvis’ behavior and treatment of her is wrong and abusive, but only just so, and with qualifiers. It’s sad to read about because Priscilla really seemed to have done a lot for Elvis in the way of being a supportive partner, but she doesn’t give herself that same credit. Finding out this book was written decades ago, however, really just tells me Priscilla hadn’t quite done the reflecting she needed to yet, and definitely didn’t have the benefit of hindsight like she might have if she were to write this book in a post-#MeToo world.
I saw a lot of reviews saying they didn’t like the narration of the audiobook—which is the way I read this book—but I have to disagree, I honestly really enjoyed Priscilla’s narration! To me, it helped her voice in the writing shine through way more than it probably would have had I read a physical copy of the book, and I loved hearing her giggles here and there in places. I will say, sometimes the giggling was weird to hear solely because it would happen after stories that weren’t really funny and felt more serious in nature, and it kind of added to the idea that maybe Priscilla didn’t fully understand the gravity of some of the things that she experienced.
Priscilla said at the end of the book that she set out to write this book to showcase “love, wonderful moments, ones filled with grief and disappointments, 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.” This is in contrast to the way Priscilla felt other stories about Elvis had been written where they focused on his “weaknesses, violent temper tantrums, eccentricities, perversions, and drug abuse”. In this way, Priscilla’s intent was super clear with the way she wrote this book, so, yes, it’s a very rose-tinted look at Elvis as well as Priscilla’s relationship with him. Despite this, I should say that, as a rule of thumb for myself, I don’t really rate autobiographies/biographies less than 5 stars unless the writing is, like, glaringly bad from a technical standpoint, so while the lack of ability on Priscilla’s part to really reflect and understand her relationship with Elvis and see the abuse and grooming she endured, that’s by no means something I’m going to give a bad rating for.
I’ve been in a non-fiction mood since picking up Britney’s new book, so with the release of Priscilla, [b: Elvis and Me|63376550|Elvis and Me The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll|Priscilla Beaulieu Presley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1685351804l/63376550._SY75_.jpg|228487] felt like the obvious next move.
I will say, I went into this book with a lot of antagonism for Elvis. I like his music, casually, but I’ve seen a few documentaries on him in recent years that made me really dislike him as a person. Let me tell you, this book didn’t change that opinion whatsoever.
I didn’t realize until I had finished that this is quite an old book, originally published less than ten years after Elvis’ death, and now that I know that, it definitely makes me look at the book in a very certain way.
Elvis and Me simultaneously felt like a bit like a fly-over look at Priscilla’s relationship with Elvis. I definitely learned a lot about their relationship that I didn’t know, but I feel like Priscilla fell short on really examining a lot of the situations she was put into or the things she experienced during the time that she knew Elvis. Mostly, what we’re told is anecdotes showcasing Elvis to be a manipulative and emotionally immature person with the capacity for kindness and charm, his shortcomings mostly written off as character quirks. There are various points where Priscilla acknowledges how Elvis’ behavior and treatment of her is wrong and abusive, but only just so, and with qualifiers. It’s sad to read about because Priscilla really seemed to have done a lot for Elvis in the way of being a supportive partner, but she doesn’t give herself that same credit. Finding out this book was written decades ago, however, really just tells me Priscilla hadn’t quite done the reflecting she needed to yet, and definitely didn’t have the benefit of hindsight like she might have if she were to write this book in a post-#MeToo world.
I saw a lot of reviews saying they didn’t like the narration of the audiobook—which is the way I read this book—but I have to disagree, I honestly really enjoyed Priscilla’s narration! To me, it helped her voice in the writing shine through way more than it probably would have had I read a physical copy of the book, and I loved hearing her giggles here and there in places. I will say, sometimes the giggling was weird to hear solely because it would happen after stories that weren’t really funny and felt more serious in nature, and it kind of added to the idea that maybe Priscilla didn’t fully understand the gravity of some of the things that she experienced.
Priscilla said at the end of the book that she set out to write this book to showcase “love, wonderful moments, ones filled with grief and disappointments, 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.” This is in contrast to the way Priscilla felt other stories about Elvis had been written where they focused on his “weaknesses, violent temper tantrums, eccentricities, perversions, and drug abuse”. In this way, Priscilla’s intent was super clear with the way she wrote this book, so, yes, it’s a very rose-tinted look at Elvis as well as Priscilla’s relationship with him. Despite this, I should say that, as a rule of thumb for myself, I don’t really rate autobiographies/biographies less than 5 stars unless the writing is, like, glaringly bad from a technical standpoint, so while the lack of ability on Priscilla’s part to really reflect and understand her relationship with Elvis and see the abuse and grooming she endured, that’s by no means something I’m going to give a bad rating for.
I feel weird rating this not only because this is an autobiography and I am growing wary of putting a star on how someone perceives their life, but also because I feel like Priscilla Presley does have a skewed vision of her life with Elvis and has yet to really come to terms with it (if she ever will). However, I cannot critique this novel without critiquing Priscilla's perception and the way she chose to tell her and Elvis' story. The epilogue of this novel directly demonstrates the opinion that (what I perceive) Elvis grooming her to be who he needed her to be as she acknowledges other biographers of Elvis have painted him negatively. Her life within this novel is surrounded specifically by her over-encompassing love for Elvis and we never really got a sense of who she was unrelated to Elvis' wants and needs. While it makes the book read very quickly, the time jumping and relating everything to events in his life made the novel feel disjointed. Additionally, I was a little uncomfortable with the audiobook as Priscilla would often giggle between scenes of Elvis verbally and physically abusing her because "that's how he was". I do want to acknowledge that Priscilla was extremely brave in leaving Elvis in the end and still writing of his negative exploits, so I feel conflicted on my overall reading experience with this one.
Also, I did buy and read this because I really enjoyed the Priscilla movie from Sophia Coppola and I think she did an excellent job at translating this book scene for scene. I believe watching the movie would give you the same satisfaction if you were curious about what's included in here at all.
Also, I did buy and read this because I really enjoyed the Priscilla movie from Sophia Coppola and I think she did an excellent job at translating this book scene for scene. I believe watching the movie would give you the same satisfaction if you were curious about what's included in here at all.
A story of a man who became a victim to his own image.
One of the best books I have read in 2023.
Could not put the book away and could not wait to be able to read further.
Before reading this book I was victim to the image I had of Elvis and the man Elvis was portraited to be by the media. A very good singer who had hundreds of girlfriends.
Through the experiences Priscilla had during her relationship with Elvis (which was an emotional rollercoaster ride for the both of them) you can read between the lines who he really was and also notice the image he holds up of himself betraying even himself which led him to be a seeker of his own soul and reason for his own existence. And ultimately demanding Priscilla to do the same with hers.
A lot of heartache and also unconditional true love.
Some reviews say that Elvis was demanding, unfaithful, even narcissism. He is described as a person who can manipulate everyone around him and their emotions. Yes, very much all true but all comes down to the image of Elvis Presley he desperately try to hold up. A price of fame and wealth.
I saw and read about a human with grand charisma and above all a pure and loving heart. A complex human being.
Priscilla just loved him to much and could not choose herself over him.
However, there were some issues/stories that where not adding up and not coherent. Such as Elvis and Priscilla taking a lot of prescribed drugs (sleeping pills, diet pills, uppers to get going through concerts, downers to relax) and at the same time Elvis not wanting Priscilla to be on birth control for the fact that those pills where unsafe and not fully developed yet.
Or the fact that Elvis doesn’t fully want to consummate the relationship in bed because of him wanting to wait for the right moment but yet Priscilla is aware of him cheating with most of his costars. So he did not actually sleep with his costars - only hugs and kisses?
One of the best books I have read in 2023.
Could not put the book away and could not wait to be able to read further.
Before reading this book I was victim to the image I had of Elvis and the man Elvis was portraited to be by the media. A very good singer who had hundreds of girlfriends.
Through the experiences Priscilla had during her relationship with Elvis (which was an emotional rollercoaster ride for the both of them) you can read between the lines who he really was and also notice the image he holds up of himself betraying even himself which led him to be a seeker of his own soul and reason for his own existence. And ultimately demanding Priscilla to do the same with hers.
A lot of heartache and also unconditional true love.
Some reviews say that Elvis was demanding, unfaithful, even narcissism. He is described as a person who can manipulate everyone around him and their emotions. Yes, very much all true but all comes down to the image of Elvis Presley he desperately try to hold up. A price of fame and wealth.
I saw and read about a human with grand charisma and above all a pure and loving heart. A complex human being.
Priscilla just loved him to much and could not choose herself over him.
However, there were some issues/stories that where not adding up and not coherent. Such as Elvis and Priscilla taking a lot of prescribed drugs (sleeping pills, diet pills, uppers to get going through concerts, downers to relax) and at the same time Elvis not wanting Priscilla to be on birth control for the fact that those pills where unsafe and not fully developed yet.
Or the fact that Elvis doesn’t fully want to consummate the relationship in bed because of him wanting to wait for the right moment but yet Priscilla is aware of him cheating with most of his costars. So he did not actually sleep with his costars - only hugs and kisses?
this memoir was so intriguing I couldn’t put it down. I thought Priscilla did a good job of showing us Elvis behind the scenes, the good, bad, and ugly of their marriage, and how she felt their relationship really stunted her autonomy. I feel sad for her tbh she was a victim!
medium-paced
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
ELVIS WAS A GROOMER! There, I said it!!! When I read „Elvis and Me“ by Priscilla Presley, I was struck by how honest and personal it felt. The book paints a vivid picture of what it was like to love Elvis Presley, and it’s not always a flattering one. He wasn’t just the charming King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. He was a deeply insecure man, a drug addict, a moody mama’s boy, and, frankly, a groomer. Priscilla was only 14 when they met, and the way he controlled and molded her into his ideal woman was more than unsettling. I kept wanting to reach out to her and yell „RUN GIRL, RUN!!!“
At the same time, Priscilla doesn’t vilify him completely. She shows the tender, vulnerable side of Elvis, but she also lays bare the darker aspects of their relationship—his manipulation, his erratic behavior, and her eventual struggle to reclaim her identity after years of being in his shadow.
What makes the book compelling is its honesty. It’s not a glossy, glamorous portrait but an intimate account of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. While I finished the book feeling sympathy for Priscilla, it also left me deeply unsettled by Elvis’s behavior. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants the real story behind the myth of Elvis Presley.
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment
reflective
medium-paced