Rating: 
Summary: Mesmerizing reading
Review: Truthfully, I haven't read a really good book in a very long time. I'm sort of into a mode where nothing holds my attention for long, but I could not put this book down. It's just another insight into the mind of a truly wonderful lady, and I do understand so very well how she lets herself get caught up in so many other lives. I, too, tend to think with my heart first. I seem to FEEL what others feel, and act on that feeling before I use my head to think it through. Rosie has a heart of gold. I think she will always be looking for her Mom in everything she does in her life. I know that feeling, as well. This heartwarming story will make you see what a caring person Ro is, and why she does the things she does. I loved it, and give it the highest rating. Go Ro!! Keep them coming!
Rating:
Summary: Real life - Real stuff - Real good & Real yuck
Review: If you're looking for a good novel, go read a classic. "Find Me" doesn't come to any conclusion. It can seem like a jumble of thoughts. It reveals some of the real "Ro" and still keeps private some of the real "Roseann." And that's okay. Which one of us reveals ALL of who we are? An insight into the celeb some of us have come to love. I just hope she knows she's not the only chubby Irish-American woman with a compulsive need to help. There are more of us than maybe she realized -- even some, like me, with less traumatic childhoods.
Rating: 
Summary: as it is
Review: This is not an autobiography. This is not a revelation about a celebrity's life and loves. If you can get beyond these two expectations, then read the book. Find Me appears to be cathartic exploration for the writer about an issue that she has been an integral part of her existence all her life. We all have one of those. Some readers may find themselves in this book (everyone wants to relate, very few of us just want to read) most of us will not. Evetually, there is hope and an understanding of oneself for the writer. The writing itself is conversational, well-paced, uncomplicated with the occassional poignant one-liner. The language's simplicity is to present highly complex human emotions and mental processes that many readers may find surprising. Somehow, it achieves that which we all feel at some time or another -- words are not enough to express the intensity of our feelings. So, when explaining one event/one emotion, the writing transitions to relevant experiences in the past to clarify better for the reader. This works for the book. There are deep psychological webs in this book that are beyond the comprehension of the average person but one thing is clear --the writer expresses the void of humanity and love of many kinds but from the perspective of one who is as afraid of it as is in dire need of it herself. She holds back -- not the thoughts and emotions or facts that readers, avid fans and curious observers want to know. She holds back her full potential to really write well. It is there but shy. This may be just a toe-in-the-water for the writer before other ventures. This book is part of a well-designed, chronological, public image. (Ms. O'Donnell has a very competent publicist/agent.) The ever-present in-your-face-activism, the famous tv interview, the subtle coming-out, the ending of the show all well-coincided with the publishing of the book. In other words, if seen as a whole, this book is another part of the writer's many creative sides and a landmark at a forked road for her. Good luck to Ms. O'Donnell!
Rating:
Summary: I swear I've heard this story before
Review: Rosie does an excellent job of revealing her heart and her loves even if she does have the writing talent of a 7th grader. The plot is interesting enough but while I was reading it I swore I had heard this story before. Then I realized where: _The_Night_Listener_ by Armistead Maupin.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and moving
Review: I was very moved by this book. It was more interesting than I expected and holds a few surprises. Rosie is a talented and intelligent woman who shows through this book that she is far more than just a TV star. Especially since the proceeds of this book go to charity, I highly recommend you buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Ministry, Mystery, and Spingles
Review: As the author of a memoir that has to do with cancer I set out to suck up to Rosie in order to get on her show. I subscribed to her magazine, I even wrote something for her magazine once, and then I bought this book, expecting the usual celeb "it all started in a tiny 5,000 watt radio station in Iron Mountain, Michigan" thing...only with lesbians. Instead I was drawn -- and drawn hard -- into the vortex of an entirely unexpected story about the human need to be needed. People looking for the ol' red carpet name-dropping/dirt-dishing (or the racy True Confessions that Ro in no way owes the world) might be disappointed, but open hearts and minds will come away reflecting on the nature of their own ministry in this world. It might be uncomfortable for some to see The Queen of Nice as a real human being -- a hurting child, an obsessive grown-up, a regular mom, a gifted performer who dared to wipe off her makeup and expose herself to the proverbial slings and arrows. Others (whom I suspect were hoping for wacky same sex misadventures/dykes on parade) complain that she didn't "share enough of herself". But she shares exactly what is needed to tell this story, and this story speaks volumes about who she is. I came away from this book with great respect for the gifted author, compassionate friend, and loving mother revealed in its pages. And to prove my sincerity, I'd like to state for the record, Ro -- while I invite you to call me in the unlikely event I can ever do anything for you, I shall suck up no more. This book contains particular gifts for those of us who dwell in the foothills just south of that treacherous territory called fame. And those gifts were not lost on me.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly enjoyable, especially not being a Rosie fan
Review: So what that we grew up on the same Island, I never cared for her type of humor nor did I hold any respect for her. Well, I can admit when I am wrong. Recieving this book as a gift, as I am an avid biography fan, I drudgingly opened the cover, and without the scour on my face as I suspected, I did not put this book down until Rosie's final word. She was human! She did have compassion without just throwing her money around buying lavish gifts for all. She was even insecure, compulsive and sensitive. Wow. Im not going to run out and get her magazine, or watch the re-runs of her show, but by her words, her own words, she is now ok in my book.
This book does not dwell on her preference for women, there is hardly any indication of that at all. It is a portrayal of her life and the humanity that makes her "real". The lay out of the book itself keeps you wondering and changes the pace enough to keep ones interest. Of course there are mentions to how overwhelmingly wealthy she is, but what celeb cant keep it quiet. She, unlike the others, when love or money is at stake, she makes no bones she will take the love. True or not, I bought it! Way to go Rosie!
Rating:
Summary: COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!!
Review: Wow. This book is nothing like what I expected. It is so much more. If you liked "A BEAUTIFUL MIND" for it's compelling, moving, interesting, sad, scary, funny, eye opening story, you'll like this, too. The book is about how Rosie's relationship with a 14 year old pregnant, unwed Mother changed her life forever, in ways she never could've imagined. You reach a point in the book (at least I did) when you jaw will hit the ground. You never see it coming and when you're in it, there's no turning back. You HAVE to see how it all ends. It's written well, it's a quick (but deep) read and it will leave you thinking about it long after you've finished reading.
Rating:
Summary: I expected more.
Review: I have a great deal of respect for Rosie O'Donnell. But this is not the book she should've written - crave as she may to dispell the "fake" Rosie and expose the "real" Ro, she manages to muddle each in the book. People read celebrity memoirs so that they can search the pages for some shred of themselves in the text, some better self. Rosie doesn't let us. Behind decoys of anacedotal profundity, Rosie never completely lets us in. Some memoirs leave us comparing our favorite color with that of the celebrities; and others part us with the concrete feeling that if we share little else with our celebrity cousins, we share their humanity. This book fell in a blah gray area between those extremes. I left this book sharing Stacie's humanity, but felt that Rosie (and her publisher) kept hers heldback by fear of public opinion and by editorial massacre. But, Ro, I gotta say, I think that you have one hell of a story left in you that goes untold.
Rating:
Summary: Brave yet troubling look at the real Rosie
Review: First, I've got to hand it to Rosie for being brave enough to write this book. If I were her, I doubt that I'd want the whole world to know the things she reveals here. Second, if you're looking for a full-on Rosie autobiography or a how-to-achieve-in-show business guide, skip this book. If you want to get to know Rosie better, warts and all, buy it. I read this book in one afternoon, mostly because I couldn't believe half of what I was reading. Not that I think any of it was made up, but just because so much of it is truly incredible. I certainly don't agree with those reviewers who question Rosie's ability to be a good parent because, come on, it's just a book about one particular relationship in Rosie's life. However, some of the self-revelations Rosie shares do cause me a good deal of concern for her psychological well-being and that of those around her. I only hope the experience of writing the book was cathartic for her and has helped her heal some of the past hurts she has battled for so long. I still think Rosie's one of the brightest, most well-intentioned celebrities out there today. And perhaps more importantly, one of the only ones brave enough to show us that she's a real person with problems, just like the rest of us. What more can we ask for?
|
