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ihiggyz97's review against another edition
I thought I would hate it but then I didn’t. Will have to write a full review post book-club.
oleanderbat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
papertraildiary's review against another edition
3.0
Perhaps it's because I don't often read memoirs, but I found this book to basically be trails of thoughts that didn't extend very far. I found the book interesting, but it just felt that it was written to get over a sad period in her life and didn't really offer much to the reader. It is sold as an account into a woman's mind with cutting and manic depression, but we don't actually see too much of it, we see her reiterating the mourning of a death and a relationship. I guess I just wanted more evidence of emotions. I do like her style of writing, though. I find a lot of writers are trying to adopt a similar emotional, wispy descriptive style these days. I'm really curious to see how this will end up as a movie... I predict it will be more about the relationship between her and her doctor and emotions rather than her big celebrity relationship, although I'm sure that will play a part.
constantlymaya's review against another edition
5.0
I read this in less than a day (rare for me!) because it was so compellingly readable. It is sad and hilarious and touching all at the same time. I admire how vulnerable Forrest is in sharing her struggles and not glossing over the shameful and scary parts. There were parts of the writing that I found a little constructed or too arch, but I also think it is forgivable to insert a bit of self-conscious wit when essentially stripping down one's soul in writing for the world to look at. I think Forrest really adeptly discusses women's mental health and how while there may be elements that are performative or objectified (Millais' painting of Ophelia drowning is a recurring motif in the book) the pain is still real and valid. Forrest is obviously from a privileged background with access to rarified circles, and this turned some people off the memoir from looking at the reviews. I too rolled my eyes at certain parts, but I found the book honest and raw and relatable enough to the human experience to forgive Forrest for some tone deaf moments. She writes about her love for Leonard Cohen, and like his work her book reveals the excruciating pain of life while also being profoundly and persistently hopeful about it.
mujerdee's review against another edition
3.0
A fresh take on the pairing of genius/mental illness genre, but ultimately it is a self-indulgent book. I loved the Ophelia metaphor, but the writer spends almost no time exploring the "whys" of her life, and an inordinate amount on the "hows," as well as "what I was wearing." There are nuggets of wisdom-true and hard-won insights by Forrest- but rather than simply say what she means, the reader must wade through irony-laced, name-dropping exploitative tales.
mellabella's review against another edition
2.0
People's lives are interesting to me. Not necessarily famous people. I haven't read that many celebrity bios. But, people in general. I don't know what I expected from Emma's memoir. But... Definitely not what I got. She gives you snatches of names, places, people, events in her life. It was also very short. So, I couldn't get a full grasp on her descent into madness and her suicide attempt. Emma, from what I can see and read is pretty. She attracts all the wrong men. Including her famous ex. Who, sounds like a horror story (a charming psycho) and the person that can undo all the progress she's made with her therapist. Her parents and her beloved therapist sound like wonderful people. Her issues (bulimia, cutting) are talked about in a way that make me feel her pain. All in all, it was an OK read.
bookishblond's review against another edition
1.0
Emma Forrest's memoir is essentially a collection of poorly written diary entries in which she obsesses over various boyfriends and her deceased psychiatrist. Forrest is jaw-droppingly self-centered and utterly devoid of any insight. Waste of time.
sunnyd76's review against another edition
3.0
Not that dazzling and not that devastating. Mostly, it just made me sad for the state of women -- and Colin Farrell.
allibruns's review against another edition
5.0
Memoirs are one of my favorite genres and this is one of those books that will stay with me forever. I was truly captivated by her story