Scan barcode
A review by kelly_e
If You Would Have Told Me by John Stamos
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
Title: If You Would Have Told Me
Author: John Stamos
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: October 24, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Candid • Messy • Artificial
📖 S Y N O P S I S
John burst onto the scene in General Hospital, propelling him into the teen idol stratosphere, a place that’s often a point of no return. But Stamos beat the odds and over the past four decades has proved himself to be one of his generation’s most successful and beloved actors. Whether showing off his comedic chops on Full House or his dramatic skills on ER, pushing the boundaries on Broadway or living out his youthful dreams as an honorary Beach Boy, John has surprised everyone, most of all himself.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'll admit I was eagerly awaiting the release of If You Would Have Told Me. Like many, I grew up watching Full House, and even though I never stayed up-to-date on his career afterwards, I knew he'd maintained a strong friendship with Bob Saget and was hoping it would be included.
Unfortunately, John's memoir could have used some serious ending. There's no real flow to the narrative, jumping all over in time and place. It was so full of contradictions that I didn't really know what to believe and it felt like PR pushing an agenda 80% of the time. Additionally, there is so much name dropping, the narrative became more about others than John.
I do appreciate his openness is discussing his addiction and alcoholism (along with drunk driving), yet I think there could have easily been added depth to this sections. I wanted more of his childhood and his family, as it along with when he talked about Bob, were the aspects that felt truly genuine. In fact, his final note on taking the time with those we love (in reference to Bob) was my favourite part of the book. And a gentle reminder to order the cake, everything else will be there waiting.
This may sound harsh, but If You Would Have Told Me felt a little like another celebrity jumping on the memoir train without really thinking. I didn't really come away having learned much, and honestly felt kind of icky when I finished. In my opinion, this memoir did an incredible disservice to John himself.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• John Stamos devotees
• fans of celebrity memoirs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"If you get a chance to sit for a spell with someone you love don’t get up to quickly, stay a while, linger, indulge, savor. Order the cake."
Author: John Stamos
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: October 24, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Candid • Messy • Artificial
📖 S Y N O P S I S
John burst onto the scene in General Hospital, propelling him into the teen idol stratosphere, a place that’s often a point of no return. But Stamos beat the odds and over the past four decades has proved himself to be one of his generation’s most successful and beloved actors. Whether showing off his comedic chops on Full House or his dramatic skills on ER, pushing the boundaries on Broadway or living out his youthful dreams as an honorary Beach Boy, John has surprised everyone, most of all himself.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'll admit I was eagerly awaiting the release of If You Would Have Told Me. Like many, I grew up watching Full House, and even though I never stayed up-to-date on his career afterwards, I knew he'd maintained a strong friendship with Bob Saget and was hoping it would be included.
Unfortunately, John's memoir could have used some serious ending. There's no real flow to the narrative, jumping all over in time and place. It was so full of contradictions that I didn't really know what to believe and it felt like PR pushing an agenda 80% of the time. Additionally, there is so much name dropping, the narrative became more about others than John.
I do appreciate his openness is discussing his addiction and alcoholism (along with drunk driving), yet I think there could have easily been added depth to this sections. I wanted more of his childhood and his family, as it along with when he talked about Bob, were the aspects that felt truly genuine. In fact, his final note on taking the time with those we love (in reference to Bob) was my favourite part of the book. And a gentle reminder to order the cake, everything else will be there waiting.
This may sound harsh, but If You Would Have Told Me felt a little like another celebrity jumping on the memoir train without really thinking. I didn't really come away having learned much, and honestly felt kind of icky when I finished. In my opinion, this memoir did an incredible disservice to John himself.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• John Stamos devotees
• fans of celebrity memoirs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"If you get a chance to sit for a spell with someone you love don’t get up to quickly, stay a while, linger, indulge, savor. Order the cake."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infertility, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicide