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juushika's review against another edition
3.0
Per the title, this is constrained to Priscilla Presley in the context of Elvis. There's one pre-Elvis anecdote, and the post-Elvis content is almost entirely in relation to Elvis. The level of detail varies wildly: early stages of the relationship are presented in minute detail; later years are more amalgamated, an impressionist overview; Elvis's death and beyond are lightly sketched, and entirely omit her stewardship of the estate after Elvis's death.
And that's ... fine. The lens through which Priscilla Presley interprets her relationship - the age gap, the grooming, the fame and drug use and infidelity and drama and decline, the love - is her own lens, somehow both open-eyed and idealizing, sorrowful and forgiving, and the efforts to remediate a salacious public record make for an innate, obvious bias. It's simultaneously manicured and authentic. I respect that choice, as it goes; it also feels like only one fraction of the story, and if I cared more I'd seek out other biographies for more complete portrait.
The audiobook is read by an author, and her giggles sprinkled throughout are as campy as Graceland and Elvis's public image, so ill-timed when paired against clear evidence of bad behavior that it's almost commentary, highlighting the incredibly intentional lens the author is turning on her subject.
And that's ... fine. The lens through which Priscilla Presley interprets her relationship - the age gap, the grooming, the fame and drug use and infidelity and drama and decline, the love - is her own lens, somehow both open-eyed and idealizing, sorrowful and forgiving, and the efforts to remediate a salacious public record make for an innate, obvious bias. It's simultaneously manicured and authentic. I respect that choice, as it goes; it also feels like only one fraction of the story, and if I cared more I'd seek out other biographies for more complete portrait.
The audiobook is read by an author, and her giggles sprinkled throughout are as campy as Graceland and Elvis's public image, so ill-timed when paired against clear evidence of bad behavior that it's almost commentary, highlighting the incredibly intentional lens the author is turning on her subject.
reallifebelle7's review against another edition
5.0
Growing up, I had only heard of Elvis as one would a myth or a legend. This book let me learn of what he was like as just a man. And while i know it would be difficult for those who love Elvis to separate myth from man, I do encourage others to read this book. Not everyone is perfect, but that shouldn’t lessen the positive impact they have had in other’s lives. And you can’t really judge anyone if you’ve never walked in their shoes.
papibabylegs's review against another edition
5.0
i literally loved watching priscilla’s development and how her whole life revolved around elvis, and then seeing her find her own life and passions. such a good read i recommend it!!
amandawalkerrose's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful and heartbreaking, I love how Priscilla navigated the highs and lows of the life she shared with Elvis. I really loved her self-reflection and her journey to discovering her sense of self as she grew up. Even through everything, her love and respect for Elvis was clearly evident from the first page through the last.
rosinadelaluz's review against another edition
4.0
Priscilla’s memoir of her time with Elvis, which started when she was 14 years old, will make some people (me) angry. She was groomed and in her words “molded” into the woman Elvis wanted. She paints a vivid picture of their relationship, where she lived to please him and serve him while never having a life of her own. At the same time, she seems to also excuse his actions and romanticize their relationship (she was a child at the beginning of it, there is nothing romantic about that). It’s a great memoir and although she writes lovingly about Elvis, you’re able to see past her rose colored glasses quite clearly.
christinamapes's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book so many times as a teen and loved the TV movie, not fully understanding then how disgusting it all was. Elvis groomed her at age 14 and abused and controlled her for the rest of their relationship. She tells her story in a straightforward, honest way, which was riveting, despite the content.