Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Elvis and Me by Sandra Harmon, Priscilla Presley

7 reviews

ellie_rowo's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment

Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol

carolinecash's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Alcohol

melishajo's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug use, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

issyd23's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

Dying to see the Coppola biopic! The story of her relationship with Elvis is that of a dark fairytale. I am now repulsed by him. Also Elvis high key stole music from black artists 4👧🏻

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

kelseyr713's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

I read this after watching the excellent Priscilla because I wanted to read the source material. I was surprised that there were many scenes in the movie that were adapted exactly, down to the conversation. This is a poignant memoir that showcases the deep and complicated love that Priscilla had for Elvis. It is difficult to read at points because she is only fourteen when their story starts while he is a grown man, so please keep that in mind before you read. 

Something that's included here but was removed from the film adaptation is the period of time when Priscilla, Elvis, and everyone in their circle gets really obsessed with horses, which I found very funny.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Physical abuse and Pregnancy

Minor: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

blueeyedshook's review against another edition

4.0

The story of Elvis and Priscilla is actually quite shocking. I had no idea they met and got together when Priscilla was 14 with Elvis 10 years older than her. And her parents just let it happen. They even let her go live with him in America while they were still stationed in Germany!! Whoa. Seriously?! I kept waiting to find out that I was misunderstanding, but then she'd talk about being 16 and going to school or whatever. I know she has come out and said that it was a different time. Still, he felt predatory. He sought her out. He said she reminded him of his little sister. He would have her come over and lay in bed with her after parties (but just talk for hours.....wanting to save intimacy for a time when they were "ready" because it was so important to him). It felt like he was grooming her. Even once she was older, he didn't want her to have a job as a model because he wanted his woman home to care for him. I know it was a "different time" but not like biblical times! Adults dating minors was still frowned upon.....RIGHT?!
Anyway, Priscilla narrating the audiobook was worth it all. She is so clearly still in love with him--which is why I think she was a bit in denial about how weird or inappropriate some of their relationship was, as well as in denial about how he acted in some ways like not knowing what the drugs he offered her would do to her.....yes! He offered her drugs at a very young teen age as well.) She would laugh while she was reading, and it made it so much more real and relatable. Her little giggle at his humor was so cute. I really enjoyed listening to her read it, and of course here about Elvis.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Alcohol

briski's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.5

Ok so here’s the thing. I’m in my Elvis era. I’ve been in my Elvis era because I’m a slut for some Baz Luhrmann cinematic mania and for Austin Butler but PRISCILLA. The amount of times I audibly said yikes was far too many. The amount of time I heard the word karate was far too many. Who would have guessed martial arts would be what lead to Priscilla’s awakening moment? And while there were soooooooooooooooooooooo many red flags (none of which PP really called out) that ending really did make me a little sad. Things I feel are worth remembering

Elvis took PP to the morgue as adventurous little trips

PP took lessons from Chuck Norris

When PP met Elvis she had JUST turned 14 and he was dressed like a target employee eating bacon sandwiches with mustard

He rented out entire movie theaters and roller rinks

They fully stood up on roller coasters

He died at the same age as him mom

PP refused to gain weight during her pregnancy and they were banging up until the last 6 weeks of her pregnancy

EDIT I’m bumping this up from 3 to 3.5 because I’m still thinking about it. That doesn’t mean it’s exceptionally well written but I think it deserves a boost for how long it’s lingered in my brain. Truly the morgue stuff is gonna be a permanent resident in my mind. I can’t believe that was real. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol