Reviews tagging 'Death'

I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie by Pamela Des Barres

4 reviews

elenakperez's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

2.5

I skimmed the last half of the book. It was very interesting to read a first-hand account of someone in the middle of the LA (and global) music scene in the 60s and 70s, but the writing itself was hard to follow. It was like reading the diary entry of someone on drugs who had written all entries on drugs (and in some parts of the book, that was the case). It was full of made-up jargon, grammatical errors, and spelling errors. It was enjoyable for some of the content, but the style was not to my taste. Also, I tried to read this with the understanding and context that this was a time before many of the social movements we have today have advanced/now exist. It was still hard to hear about the abuse of minors and women talked about with such levity. And absolutely no comments on any of that in the MANY epilogues written.  Lastly, the foreword by Dave Navarro was weird and unnecessary. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Death and Cultural appropriation

Minor: Body shaming, Racial slurs, Kidnapping, and Murder

Sexual exploitation of minors and women and violence in relationships are dominant themes of this book, but talked about in a way that doesn't address them as serious issues

iridescentjemz's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.75

This was a fun listen, it felt like you were having a good gossip with a friend especially when you could tell Miss Pamela was adding some additional thoughts to what she had already penned. 

It does feel like a different read to adult me than teen me and my original copy of the book doesn’t include the additional parts added in the 2000s onward so it was good to have that additional insight. One thing I think is great about Miss P is, even from a young age, she was in control of her own sexuality and didn’t seem to feel pressured to go by anyone else’s pace other than her own.

I find the parts about adults having relations/relationships with minors to be particularly uncomfortable. It’s handled in a nonchalant and matter of fact way, that it was just something that happened, rather than something horrendous. Especially the Don starting a relationship with a 14 year old Melanie Griffiths part of history. I think if that was me I would have been on the phone to the cops but hindsight is a wonderful thing. 

Definitely a good read if you are already aware of and are a fan of Miss P, groupie culture or the rock n roll guys of the time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexual content

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Sexual assault

utuisuus's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Death

Minor: Ableism

kendallreadsbooks's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, and Sexual assault

Minor: Ableism