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alannatriestoread's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
4.0
needagoodbook's review against another edition
5.0
Lily doesn't hold back. This is like reading her personal therapy diary. It's also very well written. Highly recommended.
nuuamuikkunen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
This book is exactly what Lily describes it to be: a raw and unfiltered autobiography written for her children to read when they are older. It's the "Lily's version" of her life. The audiobook is read by her (which I love!) and it gives the text added depth and emotion that is hard to convey through writing. The book is very honest, and doesn't shy away from even the harder subjects like drugs and sexual abuse.
I don't think the reader is meant to feel sorry for her, nor is she trying to apologise for the things she's done. She's just telling what actually happened. Why she did what she did. Like I said, it's a book for her kids. Not necessarily for the rest of the public.
I listened to this after reading the Woman in me by Britney Spears, and I cannot help but feel visceral anger towards the way the press and the entertainment industry treat (especially young) women. It makes my blood boil. I really hope the stories of these brave women will bring about a much needed change.
I don't think the reader is meant to feel sorry for her, nor is she trying to apologise for the things she's done. She's just telling what actually happened. Why she did what she did. Like I said, it's a book for her kids. Not necessarily for the rest of the public.
I listened to this after reading the Woman in me by Britney Spears, and I cannot help but feel visceral anger towards the way the press and the entertainment industry treat (especially young) women. It makes my blood boil. I really hope the stories of these brave women will bring about a much needed change.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Alcoholism, Stalking, Drug use, and Child death
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Abandonment, and Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
abirm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.5
a surprisingly well written memoir which has you really feeling for lily throughout. it feels extremely raw and personal without feeling like she's trying too hard to get you to feel sorry for her.
there are times where i definitely disagree with her pov on situations, but i think the book opens itself up to be scrutinised, and i don't think it's written in a way where she cares if you think she's the villain at times or not, which i really love.
it's rare that a celebrity memoir feels this honest and is as well written as this, so i was definitely very shocked. it offers such a personal view into her life and the writing style is really encapsulating. i had a really good time reading this.
my one issue though is that she is a bit delusional about the kind of help she received. she claims in the book (and outside of it) that going to those private schools didn't benefit her, and nepotism didn't benefit her, but it did. she got into the right music circles because of nepotism, and got singing lessons because of the schools. she may not have fit in there, been posh, or had a great relationship with her dad, and she 100% worked hard to achieve what she got, but to admit to having all that privilege and then say you succeeded "in spite" of it really annoyed me. was the only thing stopping me from giving this 5 stars tbh
there are times where i definitely disagree with her pov on situations, but i think the book opens itself up to be scrutinised, and i don't think it's written in a way where she cares if you think she's the villain at times or not, which i really love.
it's rare that a celebrity memoir feels this honest and is as well written as this, so i was definitely very shocked. it offers such a personal view into her life and the writing style is really encapsulating. i had a really good time reading this.
my one issue though is that she is a bit delusional about the kind of help she received. she claims in the book (and outside of it) that going to those private schools didn't benefit her, and nepotism didn't benefit her, but it did. she got into the right music circles because of nepotism, and got singing lessons because of the schools. she may not have fit in there, been posh, or had a great relationship with her dad, and she 100% worked hard to achieve what she got, but to admit to having all that privilege and then say you succeeded "in spite" of it really annoyed me. was the only thing stopping me from giving this 5 stars tbh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual assault
rubeno_'s review against another edition
5.0
Lily Allen presents an incredibly candid recount of her years in the music industry and analyses the societal expectations that shaped her career and portrayal in the media. She walks us through her life, chronologically speaking on each album and occasionally disclosing the life events that influenced specific songs. I always think about her biography when listening to her music and seeing her talk so openly about her struggles with addiction, sex, and motherhood greatly humanised a previously untouchable celebrity.