Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

216 reviews

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I did not expect this book to shake me so much. I honestly never really liked Paris Hilton much as a teen/young adult, but this book shone a completely different light on the image she portrayed to the world. While I wasn’t a troubled teen, I was a teenage girl in the 90s and suffered from a lot of the same slut-shaming, secret-keeping, harassment, and opportunistic older men. I’m so glad to hear Paris is telling her story and using it to make changes in the world. I picked up this book off a hunch and I’m so glad I did.

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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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I am really interested in people who live differently than me. So, yes. Paris Hilton's book peaked my interest. I grew up in The Simple Life era, and even though I didn't watch it, clips and celebrity gossip was near unavoidable. I wondered, what has her life been like, in her own words.

I was surprised about the situations she's had to navigate, all while holding up the reputation of her family's "brand". That's a challenge many readers cannot understand.
For instance, she remembers a time in 8th grade when her teacher kissed her in the driveway, and even though her parents saw it happen, it was not mentioned again.  

Or, how she went to parties and learned to pose or speak to the public as a child. 

Her schooling: it's now common knowledge that the schools she attended were abusive and traumatizing. What a set-up! Charge a hefty amount and convince families of status that this type of schooling was the only way to save their traumatized children. I felt for her parents, who surely meant well in their own way as they ignored her pleas for help. Those betrayals are difficult to forgive.


Despite her traumatic experiences, it sounds like she's found much peace and courage in her advocacy work, and I'm glad she's found her voice. I'm sure it hasn't been easy - status doesn't take away pain. 

As a person, I like that Paris lifts up other women and doesn't put anyone down (at least publicly). She's a good-time girl with depth and skill underneath. Paris doesn't ever claim to be anyone other than who she is, and there is no one quite like her. She's good at what she does, and I enjoyed reading her unique story.

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