Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain
Nov 2010 · Simon and Schuster
4.7star
85 reviewsreport
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320
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About this ebook
“An unusually fresh and engrossing memoir of both Hollywood and modern womanhood.” —Los Angeles Times
In this searing, unflinchingly honest memoir, actress Portia de Rossi shares the truth of her long battle to overcome anorexia and bulimia while living in the public eye, and details the new happiness and health she has found in recent years—including her coming out and her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres.
In this groundbreaking memoir, Portia de Rossi reveals the pain and illness that haunted her for decades, from the time she was a twelve-year-old girl working as a model in Australia, through her early rise to fame as a cast member of the hit television show Ally McBeal. All the while terrified that the truth of her sexuality would be exposed in the tabloids, Portia alternately starved herself and binged, putting her life in danger and concealing from herself and everyone around her the seriousness of her illness.
She describes the elaborate rituals around food that came to dominate hours of every day and explores the pivotal moments of her childhood that set her on the road to illness. She reveals the heartache and fear that accompany a life lived in the closet, a sense of isolation that was only magnified by her unrelenting desire to be ever thinner, ever more in control of her body and the number of calories she consumed and spent.
From her lowest point, Portia began the painful climb back to a life of health and honesty, falling in love and marrying Ellen DeGeneres and emerging as an outspoken and articulate advocate for gay rights and women’s health issues. In this remarkable, landmark book, she has given the world a story that inspires hope and nourishes the spirit.
In this searing, unflinchingly honest memoir, actress Portia de Rossi shares the truth of her long battle to overcome anorexia and bulimia while living in the public eye, and details the new happiness and health she has found in recent years—including her coming out and her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres.
In this groundbreaking memoir, Portia de Rossi reveals the pain and illness that haunted her for decades, from the time she was a twelve-year-old girl working as a model in Australia, through her early rise to fame as a cast member of the hit television show Ally McBeal. All the while terrified that the truth of her sexuality would be exposed in the tabloids, Portia alternately starved herself and binged, putting her life in danger and concealing from herself and everyone around her the seriousness of her illness.
She describes the elaborate rituals around food that came to dominate hours of every day and explores the pivotal moments of her childhood that set her on the road to illness. She reveals the heartache and fear that accompany a life lived in the closet, a sense of isolation that was only magnified by her unrelenting desire to be ever thinner, ever more in control of her body and the number of calories she consumed and spent.
From her lowest point, Portia began the painful climb back to a life of health and honesty, falling in love and marrying Ellen DeGeneres and emerging as an outspoken and articulate advocate for gay rights and women’s health issues. In this remarkable, landmark book, she has given the world a story that inspires hope and nourishes the spirit.
Ratings and reviews
4.7
85 reviews
ann landers
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October 11, 2019
It is an excellent book. That said, I do want to say that I am profoundly disappointed in Ellen DeGeneres who recently (2019) helped to slander Michael Jackson while not being TRUTHFUl about the TRUTH. Michael never hurt any child. They two guys in that documentary Ellen watched or heard about are serial liars/perjurers and if Ellen had done even ten minutes of research she would know this. The same is to be said about Oprah - more so - since Oprah put those two guys on a show. Shame on Sundance, HBO, Oprah, Ellen and others who were too lazy or too dumb or too something to find out the real truth. You owe an apology to Michael Jackson, to his children, to his family and to his fans.
1 person found this review helpful
Elsa Samayoa
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March 2, 2014
Totally loved it. It's a beautifully written book, so open and so honest. I have never suffered from an eating disorder nor I'm gay but I find this memoir one of the best I've read due to it's honestly. Great job Portia!
Maggie
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September 24, 2017
A very interesting read. Unflinching honesty. She really shows how anorexia enveloped her in the harsh glare of Hollywood where the pressure to be thin and pretty is constant and crushing. I couldn't put it down!
2 people found this review helpful
About the author
Portia de Rossi is an Australian-born actress best known for her roles in the television series Ally McBeal, Arrested Development, and Better Off Ted. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife, Ellen DeGeneres.
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