coops456's review against another edition
3.0
From The West Wing to The L Word, Marlee Matlin has delivered great performances and pushed the boundaries. This candid memoir details her struggles and triumphs.
mandler_'s review against another edition
DNF at 20%
I quite like Marlee Matlin as an actor and I was interested in hearing her stories and experiences, but I did not like the writing of this book. It jumps around way too much and I found myself disinterested in most of the stories being told--admittedly, I expected and wanted to learn more about her work in the Deaf community and as a Deaf actor in Hollywood. I know she is more than just a deaf actor, however, that was what pulled me into reading this book. When it was about her drug use and relationships, I was bored, sadly.
Just not for me.
I quite like Marlee Matlin as an actor and I was interested in hearing her stories and experiences, but I did not like the writing of this book. It jumps around way too much and I found myself disinterested in most of the stories being told--admittedly, I expected and wanted to learn more about her work in the Deaf community and as a Deaf actor in Hollywood. I know she is more than just a deaf actor, however, that was what pulled me into reading this book. When it was about her drug use and relationships, I was bored, sadly.
Just not for me.
kscheffrahn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
2.25
becomingmari's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Some yikes fat shaming / body dysmorphia in the latter portion of the book and also did not know she’s married to a cop and really wanted to be a cop growing up and doesn’t talk about white privilege at all when it comes to this.
Some yikes fat shaming / body dysmorphia in the latter portion of the book and also did not know she’s married to a cop and really wanted to be a cop growing up and doesn’t talk about white privilege at all when it comes to this.
alyssatuininga's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I have always loved Marlee Matlin as an actress so I was glad to pick up this autobiography. Her life story is fascinating and I really enjoyed hearing about her experiences and history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Addiction
Minor: Miscarriage
alexh8's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this book. I really, really did. Marlee Matlin has always come across as someone who is super talented, super charming and super likeable, and I was excited to get inside her head.
The issue is ... She's not a great writer. The prose can be stilted in parts in a way which could easily have been fixed by a good editor. Plus, unfortunately, you can only read so many anecdotes about hot Hollywood flings and prestigious acting awards before it starts to get repetitive.
Still, her stories about growing up deaf and not letting it hold her back were inspiring. If you're willing to take the good with the bad, you might find something worth salvaging.
The issue is ... She's not a great writer. The prose can be stilted in parts in a way which could easily have been fixed by a good editor. Plus, unfortunately, you can only read so many anecdotes about hot Hollywood flings and prestigious acting awards before it starts to get repetitive.
Still, her stories about growing up deaf and not letting it hold her back were inspiring. If you're willing to take the good with the bad, you might find something worth salvaging.
finesilkflower's review against another edition
Rambling celebrity memoir, mostly a name dropped list of celebrities Marlee Matlin has met.
zinelib's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.75
Marlee Matlin overcame a lot to get where she is, and I'm not talking about d/Deafness. She had rocky romantic relationships and maybe not the most solid parenting. Still, she really thrived. I imagine there are a lot of feelings about her in Deaf communities. She has other awkward politics, as well, like being married to a cop. I returned the book before grabbing what she wrote about the uprising after Rodney King's abusers were not convicted, but it was definitely...what someone married to someone in law enforcement would say.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Domestic abuse