Let me just state my takeaways, from someone who grew up with her music and liked it but was never a fan. SPOILERS below
I believe she has a horrible family, I don’t think they care for her at all, I think they stole her money and used her every chance they got. I’m amazed she’s standing at all.
But… based on the book, I get the feeling that Britneys not the most reliable narrator. Not that she’s lying, more like she’s a brilliant artist who lacks other skills. The story about her receipts and that one phone call to her mom, and how her early boyfriend’s used her. It makes me feel like she’s not all there. And we don’t get any information on how her boyfriend’s viewed the conservatorship, which bothers me so much…
What are your thoughts?
I think she was so horribly treated by her family, who profited off her captivity without caring about her, and by certain corners of the press and the public, who kicked her when she was vulnerable. My personal view is that it’s okay with me that even with ghost writers, it’s not the most well-written narrative—I recall especially when she said she felt God in the desert that I really wish she had given more context about how that feeling came about, and I felt that way at multiple other points as well. But she’s a genius performer and pop music icon, and I’m okay with her not being the best storyteller besides. I guess I tend to not expect celebrities who are known for other things—their athleticism, their acting, etc.—to also be powerfully articulate or always the most insightful, but I’m pleasantly delighted when they are. I learned a lot from her book nevertheless, and I’m grateful it’s out there!