Genre: Biography/Humor
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Joan Rivers made everyone laugh, even when they didn't want to admit that she was funny. Her humor was a bit raunchy and didn't spare the feelings of others, but there was a genuineness about her that was captivating. She was having fun! She loved making people laugh, and she loved her daughter Melissa...not always in that order. According to Melissa, Joan believed that making an audience laugh was the reason she was put on earth.
Maybe that is why she was spared the horror of a long and drawn out death. Death is always unexpected and tragic, but this might have been the way she wanted to leave...quickly and having work done. Melissa Rivers, who shared a part of Joan's career, decided to come to terms with this tragedy through writing this book. It is obviously written with love and gives us snippets of information about Joan that we might not have known. For example, I never knew that she had a degree in English Literature from Barnard College, or that her first real job was at Bond Clothes in Manhattan.
The book strings together little bits of information and lots of Joan's humorous wisdom. Melissa shares stories about her mother's love of flying first class...especially the food and chocolates. She talks about Joan's support of those she loved. The book definitely gives us a look at Joan through the eyes of the person who knew her best. I still have a few chapters to read, but I am saving it until tomorrow. I read most of it in one sitting.
It is not an epic, not a deep read, and certainly not an unforgettable piece of literature. What it is, in my opinion, is a memoir from a daughter to a mother who she will always love and deeply miss. I am glad Joan had that in her life and glad Melissa shared a bit with us.
- Beverly
Publisher - Crown Archetype
Date of Publication - May 5, 2015
Maybe that is why she was spared the horror of a long and drawn out death. Death is always unexpected and tragic, but this might have been the way she wanted to leave...quickly and having work done. Melissa Rivers, who shared a part of Joan's career, decided to come to terms with this tragedy through writing this book. It is obviously written with love and gives us snippets of information about Joan that we might not have known. For example, I never knew that she had a degree in English Literature from Barnard College, or that her first real job was at Bond Clothes in Manhattan.
The book strings together little bits of information and lots of Joan's humorous wisdom. Melissa shares stories about her mother's love of flying first class...especially the food and chocolates. She talks about Joan's support of those she loved. The book definitely gives us a look at Joan through the eyes of the person who knew her best. I still have a few chapters to read, but I am saving it until tomorrow. I read most of it in one sitting.
It is not an epic, not a deep read, and certainly not an unforgettable piece of literature. What it is, in my opinion, is a memoir from a daughter to a mother who she will always love and deeply miss. I am glad Joan had that in her life and glad Melissa shared a bit with us.
- Beverly
Publisher - Crown Archetype
Date of Publication - May 5, 2015
