Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

121 reviews

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I actually really enjoyed Paris‘s story. It‘s authentic to her, even if I didn‘t relate and that‘s what made it feel like I learned something. 

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I was not expecting to learn so much about ADHD and IVF.  

I really enjoyed this. I've never been a Little Hilton per se but I do have this distant intrigue to this socialite, especially since she came out about her horrific experience in those wilderness camps as a child. 

I hadn't realised how much trauma she had been through and found her life that was disclosed in her memoir in her own words to be powerful, engaging and full of growth.

The way she loves her animals and the people in her life was so beautiful to read about, but I'm glad she opened up about the difficulties she had in relationships as it brought her into the perspective of being relatable and empathic. So when she's talking about growth and freedom to live her life, despite her own acknowledgement of her privallages, it's stated with a strong sense of relief and happiness.

I thought this was a fantastic insight into Paris' life. I really enjoyed reading this and finished it (mainly via audiobook, where she narrates it herself) over a day and a bit.



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10/10. No notes. A must read for anyone who is or loves a person with ADHD.

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Quick disclaimer before I get into the actual story review: the only reason this isn’t a 5 star review is because I listened to the audio version of this book and (genuinely no offense), I just couldn’t vibe with the LA valleyish tone in her voice. While she wasn’t using her fake baby voice that she’s known for, the unnecessarily raspy ending of every single sentence nearly drove me mad in certain chapters. So personally, it deducts a star for me because it did make the experience of this story a little less “enjoyable” if I may even call it enjoyable (considering just HOW MUCH trauma there is to unpack in her story). But the story itself was soul crushing. 

Okay, on to the story.
I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll just word vomit my feelings: this was nothing like I expected it to be. I went into this audio book completely blind, curious about what Paris might have to say because I remember being OBSESSED with The Simple Life back in the day. I knew Paris as the iconic Barbie girl who was an excellent business woman and knew how to market herself and keep herself relevant. What I did not expect was the horrific tragedies she had gone through.

From being literally kidnapped — with her parents permission! - and forced into an abusive youth facility to all the other unfair struggles she faced, I was shocked. I can’t fathom how she was able to forgive her parents after everything she went through because of THEIR continuous choices, but I guess it just goes to show how compassionate and big her heart truly is. Turns out I did not know Paris Hilton at all.

Paris shows how resilient she is and how strong she is to have endured the level of abuse on literally all levels she has had to go through. The fact that so many desperate parents who truly just wanted the best for their children had been scammed not only out of their money but also been broken beyond repair by these massive industries that are STILL RUN TODAY and that benefited from these difficult situations is absolutely disgusting and makes me lose my faith in humanity. 

And I truly just can’t help but question what the fuck her parents were on who kept repeatedly sending her back to the place that literally broke her apart each time she managed to run away. You can tell me whatever you want, but when your child begs you to come home and confesses with tears they’re being abused and you’re literally witnessing them dwindle into nothingness with your own eyes, how do you justify it with “we couldn’t have known”???????

I hope one day she gets to fully heal from all that she has suffered from and I pray for all the other victims whose names haven’t been mentioned but who have suffered the same — if not even worse — fate.


This was a very eye opening book and I’m glad I gave it a shot.

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Unable to rate because the book in of itself is absolutely remarkable. The way she shines a strobelight on the "troubled teen" industry is more than necessary and hopefully leads to radical change. 

That said, her well-documented racist/homophobic statements of the past, which are largely unaddressed aside from the one-liner, "I said some awful things in the past," show she just isn't there yet. I wish she dug in deeper about her decision to defend Trump's vile statements during the 2016 election and throwing other women under the bus. It really undermines her messaging throughout. 

Additionally, there were multiple instances when she commented,  "Oh, I really loved this comedian/artist until they targeted me. You shouldn't hurt people like that," as if she hadn't been laughing along before. 

I think, ultimately, she has shown an immaculate amount of growth and she still has a long way to go to catch up. 

Given what I learned during reading it (her remarks), I don't regret spending my sick days reading it. I think it's an excellent story and a good reminder that we can hold multiple truths at the same time. I'm glad someone with her size of following wrote about this absolutely horrific topic, barring their soul. And, ultimately, I want to trust that she will someday dismantle the clear racism that she absorbed from her world (just as I hope all wh1te people will). 

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quotable and fun.

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really powerful personal testimony about forced institutionalization as a child

sometimes the writing style and sporadic organization was a bit much for me

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