Reviews with content warning for Fatphobia - The Princess Diarist

First off, I love Carrie Fisher’s way of telling things like it is, without apology or embarrassment. I’ve always loved that about her, and hearing her read the audiobook in her own voice was fantastic. As a Star Wars fan from a young age, I loved the insights into the making of the film, and into her life as a young actress.

However, this book doesn’t actually have much to it - unless you love hearing about her affair with Harrison Ford, which feels as though it comprises 70% of the book (and makes me see the man even less positively than before). And that isn’t a bad thing either. I just had different expectations of the book. It was an entertaining read, but I just was hoping for more.

And to be honest, the diary entries from her 19-year-old self were so hard to get through that I skipped half of them. The majority were about the older, married man who was using her while she was in a vulnerable stage of her life. Yuck.

Definitely going to try her other book Wishful Drinking, as I feel that will have more to offer. Still, I had an enjoyable time and it was a very nostalgic read.

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mconroy9137's review

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emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.75

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tmchopra's review

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emotional funny reflective

3.5

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soulwinds's review

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funny informative fast-paced

3.5

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saucy_bookdragon's review against another edition

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funny informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

A witty reflection on Carrie Fisher's experience in Star Wars, following her life before landing the role of Leia, her affair with Harrison Ford, and her opinions on her fame. I'd highly recommend the audiobook for this as Fisher read it herself, making it feel conversational! This made me like her even more by showing how down to earth she was (ironic, given her most famous role is very much not on earth) and gave some interesting behind the scenes insight, though besides the initial casting and filming of A New Hope and the Ford affair we don't get many other details.

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gummifrog's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

I love Carrie Fisher and Star Wars, and I'm a few years late on this memoir. It made me appreciate Carrie more as a person and celebrity- she clearly had a complex relationship with her fame and the legacy of her role as Leia. Her daughter reading the poetry that Carrie wrote during the filming of Star Wars felt raw and real, her prose thoughtful and reminiscent of what your young 20's definitely feels like. Carrie herself is uproariously funny, and I found myself laughing out loud many times! She was also shockingly candid about her own death and image, so listening to this after her passing was bittersweet. I'll probably want to read her other memoir soon.

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shingekiyes's review

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emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

i always knew i loved carrie fisher, but this book made me love her more than i thought possible. a totally raw and real examination of her experience as princess leia and a very intimate look into her affair with harrison ford. her diary entries moved me, her poetry hit home, and every once in a while she’d make me cry with her oddly prophetic insights. i will definitely be reading more of her work.

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