OVERVIEW
Writing: 4.0 stars
The writing was perfect for an audiobook, but I'm unsure if it would be the same for a Kindle or print book. She has a warm, but honest style of writing. She talks about her recollections about events and people with some of these stories ending tragically or badly. Cher is real when talking about the "casting couches" in movies and the cut-throat music business.
I think Cher had a ghostwriter to "clean up" the writing, but it ultimately came across as HER writing and her book.
Narration: 4.0 stars
So the narration was really unusual for any audiobook that I had read. Cher has dyslexia which I didn't know. So narrating the entire book would have been difficult for her to say the least.
A workaround was created where Cher would narrate the beginning of each chapter and then her narrator would take it from there. It worked well. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Cher so the transition to the narrator was somewhat jarring.
Character Arc: 3.5 stars
This audiobook was in a somewhat chronological order, but it went back and forth in time which wasn't easy to follow. This method of storytelling is exactly how I think Cher tells stories in real life. But in an audiobook, it can be difficult to follow.
Also, there were so many different people in this book from writers, directors, singers, musicians, and other people in her life that I didn't always understand Cher's relationship with them. However, it was easy to just ignore the lack of context and enjoy the audiobook.
I would also say that some editing would have helped this memoir. This is only Part 1 of her memoir so there is still more to learn about Cher and her life!
Memorable: 5.0 stars
Since this was a tell-all memoir, it really told it all! From what Cher discusses, Phil Spector was bizarre even back then, Sonny was a womanizer and control freak, and she met some very good people along the way including David Geffen and Bob Mackie.
By telling her issues with the men in her life, she will help others who read her book realize they can leave their controlling husbands or boyfriends. Cher wrote the ultimate female empowerment self-help book and it was awesome.
As another California girl, Cher sounds like a girls girl, and would be amazing to have a nice long dinner with her by the beach in Malibu.
Entertaining: 5.0 stars
This is so obviously top-notch. Cher knew everyone who was anyone! She has wild stories from Salvador Dali to Cass Elliot. It was fun to listen to and I am grateful she survived it.
Part II of her memoir should be another fun ride.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Perfection.
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect.
STRONG recommend
STATISTICS
Release date of 11/19/2024
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
