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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
The most coherent and feeling of the Jazz memoirs, and among the more authentic autobiographies I've read. It's only superior is the similarly ghost-written "My Life in France" by Julia Child.
Holiday was a natural storyteller, accustomed to telling stories of heartbreak and hope. William Dufty, her ghostwriter, was a close friend, and he does a good job capturing Holiday's anger and hope.
She has been accused of white-washing her story, but she pulls few punches. She may fudge facts, but she doesn't miss much. She doesn't describe the lurid details of becoming a junkie, but she does talk about her struggle getting clean. She also bemoans the fact that the world couldn't be bothered to help her, someone rich and famous, much less someone really down on their luck.
Holiday has some rather enlightened views on race, homosexuality, transvestism, and addiction. Readers will also be impressed at her ability to depict honor, loyalty, love, and compassion in the 20th century Jazz community. Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Lena Horne come off as heroes. It is interesting how she vilifies few people by name, and none within the "business." I don't know if this is a case of "not wanting to burn bridges" or just being the compassion she desires.
If Holiday had lived, she would have likely been a supporter of the Civil Rights movement. Her thoughts and beliefs would have informed that movement, just as her heart and voice have moved us for the past 80 years. We are all poorer for having lost her, but richer for having known a true master of Jazz singing.
Holiday was a natural storyteller, accustomed to telling stories of heartbreak and hope. William Dufty, her ghostwriter, was a close friend, and he does a good job capturing Holiday's anger and hope.
She has been accused of white-washing her story, but she pulls few punches. She may fudge facts, but she doesn't miss much. She doesn't describe the lurid details of becoming a junkie, but she does talk about her struggle getting clean. She also bemoans the fact that the world couldn't be bothered to help her, someone rich and famous, much less someone really down on their luck.
Holiday has some rather enlightened views on race, homosexuality, transvestism, and addiction. Readers will also be impressed at her ability to depict honor, loyalty, love, and compassion in the 20th century Jazz community. Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Lena Horne come off as heroes. It is interesting how she vilifies few people by name, and none within the "business." I don't know if this is a case of "not wanting to burn bridges" or just being the compassion she desires.
If Holiday had lived, she would have likely been a supporter of the Civil Rights movement. Her thoughts and beliefs would have informed that movement, just as her heart and voice have moved us for the past 80 years. We are all poorer for having lost her, but richer for having known a true master of Jazz singing.
“It was called ‘The United States of America versus Billie Holiday’. And that’s just the way it felt.”
Billie Holiday’s resilience in the face of virulent racism, addiction, and loss is unimaginable— and so plainly spelled out in her own words.
“I’ve been told that no one sings the word ‘hunger’ like I do. Or the word ‘love’. Maybe I remember what those words are all about”.
A true artist, Billie was a pained and beautiful soul.
Billie Holiday’s resilience in the face of virulent racism, addiction, and loss is unimaginable— and so plainly spelled out in her own words.
“I’ve been told that no one sings the word ‘hunger’ like I do. Or the word ‘love’. Maybe I remember what those words are all about”.
A true artist, Billie was a pained and beautiful soul.
I loved how her voice was so clear in her writing. The book is not written formally with over descriptions of scenery. Just her real life experiences and how she remembers each one. I wish I looked up what some of the 50’s slang meant and maybe i would understand some things more but i’m lazy like that.
very disappointing to find out she didn't actually write this books herself and that some things aren't even true
emotional
medium-paced
Clearly she was an interesting and amazing woman, but the tone threw me off and didn’t find it enjoyable to read. Might come back to it at some point but didn’t find myself interested.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Lesbophobia
Minor: Drug abuse
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced