An intimate,
enlightening and entertaining biography of comedic icon Joan Rivers.
Leslie
Bennetts (The
Feminine Mistake) explores the peaks and valleys in the life of Joan
Rivers, the heralded, often outrageous comic who paved the way for other women
in show business. Rivers was an "insatiable overachiever" who defied
her parents' expectations for a traditional life and relentlessly pursued a
comedy career despite a long list of naysayers who felt Rivers lacked talent.
She wanted "to make people laugh so she could feel loved in return."
With fearless courage, Rivers battled her way to the top, plummeted time and
time again and forged comebacks on ever grander scales.
Drawing from interviews with friends, fellow comics, rivals and Rivers's own words, the narrative probes the comic's insecurities, her tastes in decorating and entertaining, her love life and often contentious marriage, her fiery relationship with her daughter, her unmerciful ribbing of Elizabeth Taylor, and her many plastic surgeries. Rivers's rift with Johnny Carson precipitated the devastating heartbreak of midlife catastrophes, which inspired her to reinvent herself completely. Insightful, entertaining anecdotes bolster--and often dispel--stories manufactured by Rivers herself, which furthered a 60-year career that included an Emmy and a Grammy Award, a Tony nomination, reality TV programs, bestselling books and a successful QVC clothing and jewelry line. Beyond building a billion-dollar brand, Rivers generously lent her support to AIDS patients and many others. This fascinating, well-researched portrait of a comedic legend--a "vastly influential trailblazer" and "business powerhouse"--will appeal to Rivers's fans and also earn her new ones.
Drawing from interviews with friends, fellow comics, rivals and Rivers's own words, the narrative probes the comic's insecurities, her tastes in decorating and entertaining, her love life and often contentious marriage, her fiery relationship with her daughter, her unmerciful ribbing of Elizabeth Taylor, and her many plastic surgeries. Rivers's rift with Johnny Carson precipitated the devastating heartbreak of midlife catastrophes, which inspired her to reinvent herself completely. Insightful, entertaining anecdotes bolster--and often dispel--stories manufactured by Rivers herself, which furthered a 60-year career that included an Emmy and a Grammy Award, a Tony nomination, reality TV programs, bestselling books and a successful QVC clothing and jewelry line. Beyond building a billion-dollar brand, Rivers generously lent her support to AIDS patients and many others. This fascinating, well-researched portrait of a comedic legend--a "vastly influential trailblazer" and "business powerhouse"--will appeal to Rivers's fans and also earn her new ones.
Little,Brown & Company, $28.00 Hardcover, 9780316261302, 432 pages
Publication
Date: September 27, 2016
To order
this book on INDIEBOUND, link HERE
NOTE: This
review is a reprint and is being posted with the permission of Shelf Awareness. To read
this review on Shelf Awareness:
Reader's Edition (November
15, 2016), link HERE