Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain
Nov 2010 · Simon and Schuster
4.7star
85 reviewsreport
Ebook
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
E Blake
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March 3, 2020
This is a powerful retrospective account of Portia's early, long-term struggle with self identity, complicated by both the demands of maintaining an unreasonable weight for her work during modelling and acting and the repression of her sexuality for fear of rejection and an end to her career. This is a very honest, detailed account of how she fought to restore her mental health against the effects of being closeted and to stop her deteriating physical health caused by bulimia and resulting anorexia. She comes to terms with a complex set of cyclical behaviors through an inner strength bolstered by the concern of loved ones. This is an unflinching personal examination and cautionary story that anyone struggling with issues of self worth and acceptance will greatly benefit from reading.
A Google user
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December 28, 2014
I have never read a book that felt as thought I were reading my own words. From the ritualistic behaviors for her ED to her fears of her sexual orientation being exposed and causing backlash, I understood and related to every word. I love this book. Thank you PdR.
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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