By Megan Thomas
I must confess, this popped up as recommended reading on Scribd (my MUCH LOVED audiobook platform of choice) based on what I assume is a combination of the fact that I have listened to many celebrity memoirs as well as a number of quit-lit. I thought, “Why not?” I did not, however, have a clue who Carrie Fisher was. To my shame.
Of course, quite quickly I realised that I did know exactly who she was – or certainly who Princess Leia was. The book is a memoir, and was originally Fisher’s one-woman-show. As such, the writing style really makes you feel like you’re being spoken to directly and has a real sense of the reader as the audience.
Fisher has had a rather remarkable life, which saw her survive everything from addiction to manic depression, and electric shock therapy in between, which erased a lot of her memories. She talks about people asking her what it’s like living life in the spotlight, to which she replies, “Compared to what?” Since birth, Fisher has been in the spotlight, starting with being born to actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. Relationships in her life included Elizabeth Taylor as her stepmother, Tricia Lee Fisher as her step-sibling, Paul Simon as her husband… Fisher has never known life outside of the spotlight, and that was the case way before she was cast, age 19, as Princess Leia in 1977 (which, by the way, was not even her first role).
Fisher is hilarious, I must add. In that clever, dark, self-deprecating sort of way – the kind where you know you shouldn’t be laughing, but there’s no stopping it. Key stories, roles, relationships and experiences are explored throughout, and it’s quite something reading it posthumously, knowing that all the battles and demons she fought over her 60 extraordinary years are over.
BUY THE BOOKS: Waterstones | Foyles | Amazon
Disclaimer: I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please get in touch if your preferred online platform is not listed here – I’ll see what I can do!
Read more memoirs:
Have You Read This 