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?
Full disclosure: I listened to the audiobook and stopped when I felt I had had enough and “got it”.
In terms of not being a reliable narrator, I would say she reminds me of a lot of people I see who have histories of addiction and/or live chaotic lives. She was a victim of a lot things and sees herself as the victim of every thing, if that makes sense?
This was most apparent in the retelling of how she lost custody of her children. I think that situation is tragic and terrible and deeply wounding for a mom, but the vague way she spoke around it really showed a lack of understanding of what happened and why. I don’t want or need her, or anyone else, to confess to me and admit all their failings. That’s a painful (and ongoing) chapter of her life and not my business, but I’ll say this: I hope her therapist pushes back or prods a bit more than her editor seems to have. I don’t think she will ever heal or feel at peace if she can’t see the nuance there, her part in it. It’s very complex and not a clear cut case of perpetrator and victim.
Side note, it was not a very well-written or dynamic book for a non-fan so the Michelle Williams reading was definitely the way to go.