kimmeyer's review against another edition
4.0
the first 20% of this book, in which McGowan talks about her childhood and early life, wasn't particularly engaging to me, but I'm so glad I didn't dnf this one. once she starts writing about Hollywood and sexism and women's issues, she's at her best and the rest of the book is really powerful.
sashreads's review against another edition
5.0
i don't like giving star ratings on someone's literal life
motherofallbats's review against another edition
5.0
As a lifelong fan of Rose McGowan (both as an actress in the olden days and as an activist/social media presence/general human being in recent years) this was an extremely difficult but extremely rewarding read.
On one hand, it's deeply saddening to have an actress whose work you really loved tell you in excruciating detail how much that work psychologically and emotionally destroyed her. Cherry Darling was one of my biggest badass female film idols as a teenager, and learning how Rose poured her heart and soul into this character in spite of Planet Terror's awful, abusive production both makes me love the character that much more and taints my love for the movie with disheartening sadness. (As someone who's also a lifelong fan of Robert Rodriguez's work, it's also deeply disheartening to have to add his name to the list "Men Who Deserve to Have Their Penises Skinned With Potato Peelers.")
On the other hand, it also reaffirms why I've continued to love and admire Rose so much after her Hollywood retreat. I can't think of anyone else in the industry who is so deeply committed to living and speaking her truth so deeply, at the potential cost of "marketability" and "likability" and all the other Hollywood buzzwords. She is direct, brutally honest, sometimes abrasive, sometimes a buzzkill. I don't necessarily love or agree with 100% of what she says and does, even in this book, but the wonderful thing about Rose is that she truly, madly, deeply does not give a fuck if I like or agree with everything, and for that I respect her immensely.
On one hand, it's deeply saddening to have an actress whose work you really loved tell you in excruciating detail how much that work psychologically and emotionally destroyed her. Cherry Darling was one of my biggest badass female film idols as a teenager, and learning how Rose poured her heart and soul into this character in spite of Planet Terror's awful, abusive production both makes me love the character that much more and taints my love for the movie with disheartening sadness. (As someone who's also a lifelong fan of Robert Rodriguez's work, it's also deeply disheartening to have to add his name to the list "Men Who Deserve to Have Their Penises Skinned With Potato Peelers.")
On the other hand, it also reaffirms why I've continued to love and admire Rose so much after her Hollywood retreat. I can't think of anyone else in the industry who is so deeply committed to living and speaking her truth so deeply, at the potential cost of "marketability" and "likability" and all the other Hollywood buzzwords. She is direct, brutally honest, sometimes abrasive, sometimes a buzzkill. I don't necessarily love or agree with 100% of what she says and does, even in this book, but the wonderful thing about Rose is that she truly, madly, deeply does not give a fuck if I like or agree with everything, and for that I respect her immensely.
thereaderdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Man, I knew Hollywood was fucked up, but didn't realise it was that fucked up. A slow round of applause for Rose McGowan and being brave enough to speak up and out with this book.
I actually listened to the entire audiobook of this in A SINGLE DAY. So like.. a round of applause to me too.
I actually listened to the entire audiobook of this in A SINGLE DAY. So like.. a round of applause to me too.
sarasofraz's review against another edition
3.0
I finally finished this book. Another book about women being victims of violence at the hand of men and patriarchal structures that are unquestioned. Can we move on from this shit??? Tired.
sadiereadsagain's review
3.0
This book left me a little conflicted. On one had, Rose McGowan has been through some shit and she is eloquent and raw about how she shares that. But on the other hand, she's is a tough nut to crack -there is a tone of arrogance in what she says which is difficult to penetrate. While I think it's probably her way of taking her enviable self-confidence and deploying it as a shield, it does make it hard to empathise with her. Not that I think she's really looking for readers to do that. She is unapologetic about herself, and really she can be as unlikeable as she wants - she isn't here to please us. She's still an awesome human being for using her voice in a situation and in an environment which makes it impossible for most others to do the same. But you can't deny that she is strong as hell, and that by speaking out she has generated a sea change not just in Hollywood but all over the world. This isn't a comfortable read, and at times the writing isn't great, but it's definitely eye opening and an important book.