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rworrall78's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.5
I listened to the audiobook and it was improved immeasurably by speeding it up ever so slightly. I did really enjoy a lot of the family history from Miriam's early life (and before). For me, the lists of productions and people she loved and hated was is a bit dull, but I suspect that anyone who loves showbiz would find it quite interesting. I found it way more interesting when she got into talking about her relationship with her partner and about her politics.
I didn't find the shocking bits at all shocking just slightly sad. Particularly the semmingly the unexamined inappropriate relationships in her teenage years with much older men, also unexamined seemed to be the number of blow jobs she gave to try to influence (often not successfully) funding or work. In the light of all that, it seemed astonishing when she said that there was no one more feminist than her. I suspect everyone involved in the me too movement would disagree!
She talked about being a real lefty. But the way she lives and her love of money and houses doesn't really seem to correlate with that. Not that you can't be rich and be a socialist, just that it seems surprising not to examine that wealth and be conscious of the obligation to do good with it. She may well be conscious of that, but it did not come across in the book.
However I did very much warm to to the political chapter, and particularly her sadness and her passion for bridging divides over Israel and Palestine. I thought that was beautifully done and made a real Impression.
I didn't find the shocking bits at all shocking just slightly sad. Particularly the semmingly the unexamined inappropriate relationships in her teenage years with much older men, also unexamined seemed to be the number of blow jobs she gave to try to influence (often not successfully) funding or work. In the light of all that, it seemed astonishing when she said that there was no one more feminist than her. I suspect everyone involved in the me too movement would disagree!
She talked about being a real lefty. But the way she lives and her love of money and houses doesn't really seem to correlate with that. Not that you can't be rich and be a socialist, just that it seems surprising not to examine that wealth and be conscious of the obligation to do good with it. She may well be conscious of that, but it did not come across in the book.
However I did very much warm to to the political chapter, and particularly her sadness and her passion for bridging divides over Israel and Palestine. I thought that was beautifully done and made a real Impression.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, and Sexual content
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.5
I’ve always thought that Miriam comes across as quite a genuine and funny person with an interesting life that when I saw that she had a memoir, I wanted to read it.
To be completely honest, the thing I was most looking forward to reading about what her experience around the Harry Potter films. I found it quite interesting that she basically treated it like a job, and wasn’t (and isn’t) involved in the fanbase surrounding it - she’s never read the books nor watched the films!
Most of the jobs that she mentioned having, I’d never heard of, but most of them were before my time so not necessarily something I would’ve grown up with. However I still found it interesting to read her perspective on each of them - and the gossip which she does love to dish out!
A couple of things that I didn’t like about this book:
She does a lot of name dropping which did really get on my nerves after the first couple of names - I didn’t care much for those people that she mentioned and didn’t feel like she needed to mention them by name. Especially since she’s reveal a lot of personal information that I’m hoping she got permission from them or their family before publishing this book!
There’s a lot of talk about sex - in the first third of the book, she constantly mentions “sucking off” a load of different men that she came into contact with which got too repetitive that it irritated me. She even goes so far to mention and the end of the book that she loves talking about sex - which is why she spoke so much about it throughout the book.
She mentions having a transgender person as a very close friend, yet when she talked about them she constantly misgendered them and used their deadname - it felt as though she was being completely inconsiderate to how they wished to be seen by others.
Despite the negatives, I found this book to be a really interesting insight into Miriam’s life and I really did enjoy reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Antisemitism, Sexual content, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Cursing, and Adult/minor relationship
librarianlayla's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
3.5/4 stars.
As usual Miriam aims to shock and delight.
Whilst this book is filled with interesting and at times, outrageous, tales - it didn't quite hit the 5 star mark for me.
Miriam is a fascinating woman who has lived a truly remarkable life, she has touched so many (quite a few physically!) people with her quick wit and cheeky charm.
However early on in the book she deadnames someone who she says she considered a friend and unfortunately that left a sour note in my mouth. There is also an almost constant theme of sexual molestation by others to her that seems almost celebrated when in quite a few of the cases should be abhorrent. Especially in such incidents when she was a minor.
I do love her journey of authenticity - her passion for the truth. Whatever it may be. And it's something I can relate to immensely.
Overall a wonderful and insightful read, but not for the faint of heart.
As usual Miriam aims to shock and delight.
Whilst this book is filled with interesting and at times, outrageous, tales - it didn't quite hit the 5 star mark for me.
Miriam is a fascinating woman who has lived a truly remarkable life, she has touched so many (quite a few physically!) people with her quick wit and cheeky charm.
However early on in the book she deadnames someone who she says she considered a friend and unfortunately that left a sour note in my mouth. There is also an almost constant theme of sexual molestation by others to her that seems almost celebrated when in quite a few of the cases should be abhorrent. Especially in such incidents when she was a minor.
I do love her journey of authenticity - her passion for the truth. Whatever it may be. And it's something I can relate to immensely.
Overall a wonderful and insightful read, but not for the faint of heart.
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
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