Scan barcode
radbear76's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book because I'm a Babylon 5 fan and it was on sale so I indulged my curiosity. It gave me a better idea of Ms. Christian's career and explained the show's cast changes. Her story of surviving alcoholism is inspiring but being a skeptic I can't help but wonder if it's the placebo effect writ large. Overall it is a good read with a serious topic that made me laugh because of the way in which she shares her travails in such an honest way.
kkilburn's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted so badly to love this book. I am a huge Babylon 5 fan, and that is largely due to being a HUGE fan of Commander Susan Ivanova, played by Claudia Christian. I knew her memoir would focus heavily on her alcoholism and expected something along the lines of Ashely Judd's "All That Is Bitter and Sweet" - a long look at childhood and its attendant traumas; a middle section describing the Hollywood glory days (and yes, I did hope for some extended anecdotes about the B5 experience!); and a final section describing the final confrontation with her disease and her recovery process. Along the way, I expected discussions of how past events, left unresolved, can continue to affect us; I also expected some insights into the life of a sci-fi actress and how that kind of career unfolds and develops.
Unfortunately, what Christian delivers is much more superficial and less satisfying than that, although following the same basic narrative arc. We do learn about childhood traumas, but the bulk of the narrative is primarily a chronology of roles, people (co-workers and lovers, for the most part), and drinking episodes. Introspection is largely absent in spite of frequent reference to her inner "monster". Having read the book, I feel I know little more about the author than I did before. And that in spite of what I now know are some shared experiences. A disappointing read from the woman who created one of my favorite television roles.
Unfortunately, what Christian delivers is much more superficial and less satisfying than that, although following the same basic narrative arc. We do learn about childhood traumas, but the bulk of the narrative is primarily a chronology of roles, people (co-workers and lovers, for the most part), and drinking episodes. Introspection is largely absent in spite of frequent reference to her inner "monster". Having read the book, I feel I know little more about the author than I did before. And that in spite of what I now know are some shared experiences. A disappointing read from the woman who created one of my favorite television roles.
tigersmurf's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing to see someone come through such a difficult battle. So inspiring!
geoffreyjen's review against another edition
4.0
[a:Claudia Christian|586403|Claudia Christian|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1348378188p2/586403.jpg]'s book is overall an easy read, although it does not deal with easy subjects. She writes well, with a sense of humour, and a frankness that disarms. The first two thirds of the book covers the various stages of her life leading up to her problems with alcohol addition. I found it interesting to follow her jetsetting adventures, her often dearly paid-for misjudgements about the men in her life, and her slow descent into dependency. I must say that although she seemed to express enjoyment throughout much of this exposition, I was struck by a sense that she invested little in situations that would bring real meaning. I don't know if this was just a by-product of her writing style, which seeks to keep the overall tone upbeat, or reflected a real absence in her life choices. However, on balance, I found that contrary to my expectations, I didn't envy her at all.
The descent into alcoholism was harder to read, as one might expect. I suspect she made her life appear more glamourous than it was in reality. She admits readily to the problems of being a drunk, the meaness and the readiness to exploit the generosity of others until there is little left to give, but saying it and making one feel it are different things. So there is some gloss on this section, although admittedly it might need a brilliant writer to do this justice, and this probably wasn't her goal in any case. However, there is nothing easy about owning such behaviour. Kudos for what she does with this. The final part of the book focuses on how she got out of the impasse. Also very interesting. I don't know the science of the method she discusses, but it does sound like a powerful tool, although perhaps not for everyone. I know several people who prefer the AA method, although I also know others who have never gotten free of its hold, and a few who died of it. Increasing the range of viable solutions seems a good idea.
Overall, an interesting book, and one that demystifies to some extent the descent into alcoholism as well as offering a way out to others, something she has clearly taken to heart. I always liked her as an actress, in Babylon Five most prominently, for me, but this has given me a different perspective and one that does her honor, as well as leading me to think through my own life choices in interesting and useful ways.
The descent into alcoholism was harder to read, as one might expect. I suspect she made her life appear more glamourous than it was in reality. She admits readily to the problems of being a drunk, the meaness and the readiness to exploit the generosity of others until there is little left to give, but saying it and making one feel it are different things. So there is some gloss on this section, although admittedly it might need a brilliant writer to do this justice, and this probably wasn't her goal in any case. However, there is nothing easy about owning such behaviour. Kudos for what she does with this. The final part of the book focuses on how she got out of the impasse. Also very interesting. I don't know the science of the method she discusses, but it does sound like a powerful tool, although perhaps not for everyone. I know several people who prefer the AA method, although I also know others who have never gotten free of its hold, and a few who died of it. Increasing the range of viable solutions seems a good idea.
Overall, an interesting book, and one that demystifies to some extent the descent into alcoholism as well as offering a way out to others, something she has clearly taken to heart. I always liked her as an actress, in Babylon Five most prominently, for me, but this has given me a different perspective and one that does her honor, as well as leading me to think through my own life choices in interesting and useful ways.
More...