booksbydorothea: REVIEW - Unlovable (audioBOOK)

Unlovable by Darren Hayes (audioBOOK)

OVERVIEW

This was a memoir by Darren Hayes, lead singer of Savage Garden. I never knew what happened to the group as I was a new mom and the early aughts are a blur.

This is the most real, raw, and open memoir. I listened to it as an audioBOOK, making it even more powerful to hear Darren's stories in his own voice.

TRIGGER ALERT: Foul language, domestic violence, child abuse, alcohol abuse, homophobia, bullying, smoking, hate speech, mental illness, fatphobia, animal cruelty

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Darren writes strongly and so from the depths of his soul. He shares such deeply horrible and devastating things that happened to his family during his childhood. It was brave and very well written. Kudos to you, Darren.

I don't know if he had a ghostwriter, but if not - BRAVO!

Narration: 5.0 stars

The narration was fantastic! Darren narrated which is my preferred choice with autobiography or memoirs audiobooks. His voice is lovely and he has a talent to mimic so well along with a beautiful Australian accent.

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook is fairly chronological with more explanations or flashbacks which explain so much about his childhood, career, and recent new beginning.

This memoir was difficult in the first few chapters as Darren details the ongoing abuse that occurred in his family of origin. If this is triggering, this may not be the book for you.

Memorable: 5.0 stars

Darren had to deal with a lot as a child. Those deep and repressed memories are buried deep in our memories affecting our lives now. However, Darren used Eye Movement and desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to work through his childhood trauma. I have done the same for my fear of heights and flying which are related to my childhood also. Thank you, Darren, for sharing this incredible therapy tool!

What really stuck with me and will stick with me was that the person who first used a homophobic slur towards Darren was his own father. His first bully was his father. This really broke my heart.

This memoir touched my heart deeply. It aches for all of the pain that Darren endured, but he has overcome it. I am very proud of him and his hard work to heal.

Entertaining: 5.0 stars

Darren is funny but has a very dry humor. I loved it!

He didn't "spill the tea" on any celebrities or name names of his past lovers. This is not a tell-all book, but it is so life-affirming.

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect.

Book title: 5.0 stars

Sad, but true.

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Unlovable by Darren Hayes

Random House Australia Audio