Although I think that Carrie really didn’t have mental illness, I think that she just took drugs to often when she was young Jundt into a bad mental health condition. Then, instead of quitting recreational drugs, she merely mixed in psychiatric drugs. This in a lack of self-care led to her early death, and surely there is a lesson for all of us to learn from the wisdom of Carrie Fisher. I’m not sure she was actually bipolar. I think it was a side effect of recreational drugs, which she never did quit for any longer than 11 months of her life when they claim that she was sober and this was the happiest time of her life, but if she was so happy at that time, why did she relapse? ( )

Interesting stories but her writing style was hard to follow. ( )

Carrie Fisher proved an amusing and clever companion for several road trips I took with her three memoirs. This one is not particularly focused, but it hits the highlights of her life and opens up about her struggles with addiction and mental health issues even as she ices them all deeply in thick layers of sarcasm and self-deprecation.

A documentary of the stage show on which this book is based streams on HBO Max right now, and I hope to watch it soon.

This book is so similar to Fisher's Shockaholic -- covering many of the same topics and even anecdotes -- I'm going to break it down by chapter to help my future self distinguish between the two.

Introduction. An Abundance of Apparentlys

Fisher provides an overview of her life: from the child of celebrities, through Star Wars, to the addictions and mental health issues that led her to trying electroconvulsive therapy.

1. Shores of Experience Both Dark and Unfriendly

An account of how R. Gregory "Greg" Stevens, a close friend, ended up dying unexpectedly next to Fisher as they shared a bed.

2. Scandal Outshining Celebrity

Fisher breaks out a chart to keep track of her famous parent's various marriages, divorces, and infidelities. She also shares anecdotes about her relationship with her mother and her unique world view.

3. A Nearby Arranged All Around Her

More about Debbie Reynold's eccentricities and Eddie Fisher's dickiness.

4. Both Hands, One Heart, Two Moods, and a Head

More parental anecdotes from Fisher's teens.

5. Accumulations of Incarnations

Star Wars! Fisher dishes on behind-the-scenes bits -- like why there isn't underwear in space -- and her love/hate relationship with George Lucas and Leia Organa.

6. "From What I Can See of the People Like Me, We Get Better But We Never Get Well" - Paul Simon

A brief breakdown of her relationship with ex-husband Paul Simon.

7. Sadness Squared

An admission of being a drug addict is leavened with celebrity cameos by Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Meryl Streep.

8. Brisk as a Bullet Shot Through the Center of Everything

Her marriage to Bryan Lourd gives her daughter Billie, but ends unfortunately for Fisher when he leaves her for another man. Fisher then jumps into her bipolar diagnosis and more about her addiction struggles.

9. An Altered, Faltering Self

Fisher's parents, worried about her LSD addiction, of course turn to Cary Grant to make a couple interventions on their behalf.

10. The Newly Made Bystander

Fisher skitters past her PTSD diagnosis for some anecdotes about her daughter and thoughts on future romantic relationships.

11. A Spy in the House of Me

A quick wrap-up gives us a Star Wars punchline.

FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Introduction. An Abundance of Apparentlys -- 1. Shores of Experience Both Dark and Unfriendly -- 2. Scandal Outshining Celebrity -- 3. A Nearby Arranged All Around Her -- 4. Both Hands, One Heart, Two Moods, and a Head -- 5. Accumulations of Incarnations -- 6. "From What I Can See of the People Like Me, We Get Better But We Never Get Well" - Paul Simon -- 7. Sadness Squared -- 8. Brisk as a Bullet Shot Through the Center of Everything -- 9. An Altered, Faltering Self -- 10. The Newly Made Bystander -- 11. A Spy in the House of Me -- Author's Note -- Acknowledgments ( )

I love Carrie Fisher. I enjoyed her story telling, peppered with colorful language. I was a bit disappointed this was not as moving, I guess I'd say, as I expected. Lots of telling, but lacking depth or meaning. ( )

I'm not sure why I was drawn to this. I don't drink, I'm not a huge Star Wars fan and I don't usually care for celebrity biographies. I remember seeing her interview show a couple of times and a long time ago I had read [b:Delusions of Grandma|578227|Delusions of Grandma|Carrie Fisher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1175966171s/578227.jpg|3145661]. I just find her refreshingly honest and frank. I like those qualities in anyone but especially enjoy it in women. I am fascinated when those qualities are delivered at their purest and still manage to avoid hurting people as simple cassualties of qualities. Carrie talks about her life in a frank and honest way but there are also many layers of love and understanding. She's not out to place blame or be bitter or find excuses she just is and I so love that quality and when you can put that on paper even better. ( )