The Princess Diarist
The Woman. The Myth. The Legend. Portrayer of Prince Leia Organa. Speaker of the famous line, "Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi. You're my only hope." And so, so much more.
With all of the Star Wars happening all the time, I found myself missing Carrie Fisher. And I decided to check out this, her last memoir. I read this book in March, during my annual slow-reading slump. And even with that dark cloud hanging over me, I greatly enjoyed this memoir. Her tone of voice is so strong in her writing. It was like listening to her talk right over my shoulder.
This book started with her early life, but didn't seem to re-tread any of what she covered in earlier memoirs as much as it just tap danced over her odd childhood as the daughter of two famous people working to maintain their fame. And then suddenly, a little film, shooting in London, and a barely 18 Carrie Fisher thrust into the middle of filming a movie that would change history.
She's wry and silly, irreverent and precious, wistful and blunt. Her memoir turned a few heads at publication because she shared the previously untold story of her affair with Harrison Ford while shooting Star Wars (the first one). She shared most of that section with journals written during shooting. Which she apparently found again later in life. The sections of the book are interspersed with behind the scenes photos from the set and around that period of time.
Carrie talked a lot about her weight (being told to lose 15 pounds before showing up to set), the weirdness of being a sexual icon for so many men and how that expectation wore on her throughout her life, the pitfalls of show business. One part I thought was rather interesting was her frank discussion about appearing at conventions and charging for signatures. She treated it practically: I will make money for being available and people will love it.
In the past few years I've read and watched more of her interviews and speeches and discovered there is so much beyond this one character she portrayed. Her character in When Harry Met Sally is one of my favorite parts of that movie. Her roast of George Lucas made me cheer. And her online presence with Gary, her French bulldog, was wonderful. I loved how she would show up to interviews and sit cross-legged in the chair. This book was little bit like a warm hug, a relishing of the memories I've associated with her.
Leia was always a hero for me. Carrie became a real-life hero for me. Each time I see her on-screen in the new Episodes of Star Wars I am verklempt. As an icon she means so much to me and I am very sad she is no longer with us bringing sass and spreading warmth.
Is there anyone who has become a hero for you from childhood? Are you obsessed with French bulldogs now, too? What's your favourite memoir you've read? Share in the comments.
