Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up – the instant New York Times bestseller from the acclaimed actor and disability rights campaigner
£5.70
**THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER **
‘Funny and frank, a chance to spend time with a brave and big-hearted woman who’s grown up to be not so mean, after all’ JENNIFER LARUE, WASHINGTON POST
‘Grabs you by the collar and says listen to all that I have to say: about love, pain, motherhood, illness, celebrity and the tidal ferocity that pours through all our lives. Read it and be caught in the voice of one of our luminous stars’ ESMÉ WEIJUN WANG
The first story Selma Blair Beitner ever heard about herself is that she was a mean, mean baby. Although Selma went on to become a celebrated Hollywood actress and model, she could never quite shake the periods of darkness that overtook her, the certainty that there was a great mystery at the heart of her life. Over the course of this beautiful and, at times, shocking memoir, Selma lays bare her addiction to alcohol, her devotion to her brilliant and complicated mother, and the moments she flirted with death. There is violence, love, true friendship, the gift of motherhood and, finally, the simultaneous devastation and surprising salvation of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.
‘A fascinating exploration about the power of prophecy, of labels, and of one woman’s determination to defy them all. Blair is a rebel, an artist, and it turns out: a writer’ GLENNON DOYLE
‘I laughed out loud more than I cried’ FRANCES RYAN, GUARDIAN
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Additional information
| Publisher | Virago (17 May 2022) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 10777 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 313 pages |
by Amazon Customer
I was drawn to purchase this book randomly on the premise I thought; whatever happened to her?
I was surprised at the fact she can write. Its tone perfect. Not fluffy, has depth, and its honest in the sense I found her both in awe and angst of herself in equal portions.
As for the title, not a fan. I don’t like ppl pigeonholing themselves negatively by utilising a badge someone else has given you.
It’s different from other autobiographies probably because I found it authentic in a sad sense.
But its not sad. Its complex and I love complex.
by laura rowan1
An amazing in in-depth read, highly recommend
by Danielle Renshaw
I couldn’t stop reading, so beautifully written, at times I couldn’t stop the tears. A book I don’t think I will ever forget.
by LJBentley
I have read a lot of autobiographies. I like the nosy insight into the lifestyles of the rich and famous. However, I am fully aware that the choices of what stories are included in these books are a mixture of the highlight reel of someone’s life and the carefully selected stories that paint the writer in the best light. Selma Blair appears to do the opposite. In her autobiography, Mean Baby, she points out every flaw that she has and she owns it. She talks about the strange and unusual things she did as a child and a young adult and she reflects on why she did these things (the main reason being ‘just because’) and she shows you her warts and all self. It is refreshing but also painful at times to watch her reveal herself as she slowly peels layers of her skin off to show the true Selma. Impressive but harsh.
I don’t think I have ever had such a visceral response to an autobiography but Selma Blair manages to have an impact.
Whilst the stories are difficult what is ultimately the saving grace of this hard story is seeing just how thankful Selma Blair is for the things that have happened to her and the people in her life that have helped her along the way.
Mean Baby is an autobiography that will stay with me for a long time.
Mean Baby – A Memoir of Growing Up by Selma Blair is available now.
by Karl
I’ve always liked Selma Blair in films. I’ve felt drawn to her for some reason hence my purchasing the audiobook.
She shouldn’t have read the book herself though. It feels like she reading a script – acting out the words – rather than connecting with the fact it’s her own life story. It comes across really strange to me and bugged me to the point I gave up a few chapters in.
If I bought the book, I’m sure I would have enjoyed it. That would be my advice – read the book.
by savannah
This book looks lovely aesthetic wise, I’m excited to read it.
by A Flower
I have been a fan of Selma Blair for a long time now and was very excited when I heard she had written this book. I really enjoyed it, learning of her earlier years and then later through her MS diagnosis was really interesting