morepagesplease's review
4.0
This was a very well written and interesting biography. I've never longed for fame, and this book was an interesting perspective on those who have it, or are perceived to have achieved it.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
Jakub writes about leaving a job . . . when that job happens to be as an actress who is easily recognized as the girl from Mrs. Doubtfire or Independence Day. A smooth, easy writing style, written in a way that's relatable and friendly. There aren't any scandalous or juicy gossips in here; it's about growing up and making hard choices and learning to make them 100% for yourself.
laprimera's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook. Lisa tells it like it is. Fame isn't all that fulfilling. I'm glad she shared her story. I hope she writes more.
readutation's review against another edition
4.0
I’m still trying to determine the proper rating for this book, but this was a wonderful read. It’s the kind of memoir that almost reads like a novel because it does have a clear narrative.
I read this book partly because of my WIP (I’m writing a story about an aspiring actress who got first big break in Hollywood) and partly because Lisa Jakub is close with Mara Wilson, who I was a fan of when I was a kid and whose memoir I read last year. And I’m glad I read this book because it really offered a glimpse into the not-so-glamorous world of Hollywood. I’ve always been fascinated with the film industry as a kid, so learning about the ins and outs of the industry was fun.
Lisa is adept at telling her extraordinary story in a way that seems completely ordinary and relatable. The themes she explored in this memoir, as well as her fears, were all things I’ve felt myself and I’m sure most people have felt too. And she did a good job at self-introspection without fully spelling out to the readers her message. I actually loved her technique for this because she would share an anecdote for the most part of the chapter and by the end of that anecdote, she’d pose her message through an introspective question. That technique is engaging because the question does stop me on my track and actually think.
Basically, this story about a girl falling out of love with Hollywood is full of heart while at the same time proving that sometimes the film industry (or, let’s be honest, any kind of industry that’s operating under capitalism) has overworked its workers so much, especially actors, to the point that they are dehumanized. It’s a sad reality, and I wish there are ways to actually address that.
I would definitely recommend this memoir. It’s well-written, and if you suffer from anxiety and depression (especially about never being good enough for the world), this will strike your heart bloody.
I read this book partly because of my WIP (I’m writing a story about an aspiring actress who got first big break in Hollywood) and partly because Lisa Jakub is close with Mara Wilson, who I was a fan of when I was a kid and whose memoir I read last year. And I’m glad I read this book because it really offered a glimpse into the not-so-glamorous world of Hollywood. I’ve always been fascinated with the film industry as a kid, so learning about the ins and outs of the industry was fun.
Lisa is adept at telling her extraordinary story in a way that seems completely ordinary and relatable. The themes she explored in this memoir, as well as her fears, were all things I’ve felt myself and I’m sure most people have felt too. And she did a good job at self-introspection without fully spelling out to the readers her message. I actually loved her technique for this because she would share an anecdote for the most part of the chapter and by the end of that anecdote, she’d pose her message through an introspective question. That technique is engaging because the question does stop me on my track and actually think.
Basically, this story about a girl falling out of love with Hollywood is full of heart while at the same time proving that sometimes the film industry (or, let’s be honest, any kind of industry that’s operating under capitalism) has overworked its workers so much, especially actors, to the point that they are dehumanized. It’s a sad reality, and I wish there are ways to actually address that.
I would definitely recommend this memoir. It’s well-written, and if you suffer from anxiety and depression (especially about never being good enough for the world), this will strike your heart bloody.
enidsorko's review
3.0
I picked this book as I was in a reading slump and did not want to tackle anything that would tax my brain. This was a light read, with no dirty laundry being aired. Her stories were sweet, for the most part, and I spent some pleasant hours reading it, although it was not the best written book.
aliibera's review
4.0
Lisa Jakub has a genuine and distinctive voice as a writer and her story of becoming a child actor and then leaving that world was good read. In particular, her detail on the parts of film sets that are rarely talked about -the teamsters and the trailers, hair and makeup, the day to day parts.
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