Lisa Marie Presley and Riley Keough's Book: From Here to the Great Unknown

[Igotstung]

I have never been too interested in Elvis' family life, so read this book out of mild curiosity at best, and didn't have any expectations.

I was surprised at how moved I was when I finished. This is not a review, but more of first impressions without spoilers on first reading.

Riley Keough is a very good writer. Her prose is flowing with insightful narrative mixed with gentle wit, which, despite the most unusual lifestory she is telling, has intimate and relatable moments. Her contemplation on grief and family life is excellent. She is also very grounded and able to review her family history rationaly. She never dips in salaciousness or low hanging fruits of Elvislore and that makes it a refreshing read as far as celeb memoirs go.

Lisa's voice is also strong. Funny and heartbreaking, contemplative and reckless at the same time, it would be easy to dismiss her, as she herself calls " sad princess bullshit". Given how privileged she was, one would be tempted to roll their eyes at her self destruction, spiritual quests and angsty daddy issues. But her almost childlike brutal honesty stops one from being judgey. She freely acknowledges her inherently damaged persona. One wishes she was more self aware earlier in life. Even as we read about her life in her own words, we can see the pattern: problematic childhood, dependence on strong ( male) figures, her oscillating and unfocused work, her self destructive rebeliousness and her inherent refusal to ground herself even for her beloved children. But she was who she was, and her self criticism does make one wonder if with right support she could have brought happiness to her life.

As far Elvis is concerned, Lisa's time with her father seems to be the backbone of her life, for good or bad. Her intense love for him is evident, pure in its childlike adoration. Anecdotes are funny and heartfelt. The months leading to his death are truly heartbreaking, as the bratty little girl watches her beloved father slowly disintegrating. Elvis' parenting was terrible and he hardly comes across as an adult in the relationship. His deep love for her notwithstanding, the relationship did set her up for failure, as it was tough to escape the fascinating but ultimately damaging aura he set.

There are many shocking tales regarding other people in her life, celebs or not, but the overall tone is never gratuitous. Both the writers seem to want to learn something from these admittedly volatile experiences and that sets this book apart.

It is an eminently readable book, and as I mentioned earlier, unexpectedly moving one for me.

[TINML]

I've got the audio book in my car, the narration by Julia Roberts so far is outstanding, and the little bit of audio I heard from LMP was bittersweet.

[Igotstung]

I've got the audio book in my car, the narration by Julia Roberts so far is outstanding, and the little bit of audio I heard from LMP was bittersweet.

Yeah, heard that the audio book is also very well done.

[T3ddy-be@r]

I enjoyed it I found Lisa's comments on Ginger and what happened after Elvis' death sad.

[billy jack]

I have the book, bit still haven’t read it. Any mention about Nicolas Cage?

[Igotstung]

I have the book, bit still haven’t read it. Any mention about Nicolas Cage?

Very brief.

[Liverbobs]

I have the audiobook and am listening to it whilst I'm out jogging, I've also ordered the print version, thoroughly enjoying what I'm hearing so far, although I'm only at the part where Elvis and Priscilla split up. The "Goddam" bit made me burst out laughing (not a good look when you're jogging past several people out walking when this old dude jogging by just cracks up laughing ).

[Igotstung]

I have the audiobook and am listening to it whilst I'm out jogging, I've also ordered the print version, thoroughly enjoying what I'm hearing so far, although I'm only at the part where Elvis and Priscilla split up. The "Goddam" bit made me burst out laughing (not a good look when you're jogging past several people out walking when this old dude jogging by just cracks up laughing ).

The Elvis anecdotes are so funny at times. Have you been to the part where he tries to chase rats from Lisa's room?

Lisa has great sense of humour. So does Riley, although hers is more subtle.

[arnaudbxl]

Just finished. It’s a terribly sad and one of a kind memoir, just like she was. It leaves you with a deep and strong feelings. It also gives a heartbreaking view on Lisa’s last 13 years, I had no idea she was that far in desperation.
Almost unbearable to read.

Priscilla is portrayed by Lisa with no pink glasses, I cannot imagine how Nona can feel with such a frontal portrait. But at the same time she somewhat remains a presence like a real life Bree Van De Kamp in LMP life. Linda Thompson gets credit for her sincere commitment to Elvis. Ginger Alden on the other side is thrown as a pure gold digger by Lisa, who eavesdropped her phone conversations at the time. Curious how those ladies will handle the follow up when LMP put them in such a crude light. She in fact internalized everything she saw, heard, felt when she was with her dad at Graceland and as she lay it all down for the first time, the book contains quite a few surprises for Elvis fans. The downfall of Elvis is a hard read too. But the one Lisa is the more unforgivable about is herself.
And what can one say about Riley? I already liked her but after reading the book and her incredible commitment to her family, I just admire her. What a strong, grounded and lucid woman.

[TINML]

I am barely on Chapter 2 but her description of Ginger Alden especially the day Elvis passed was shocking to me. I always thought the jibes of her having done her hair and makeup were exaggerated or flat out lies peddled by people like Grob and the MM but her confirming it says it all.

[jurasic1968]

Very sad, indeed.

[Igotstung]

Just finished. It’s a terribly sad and one of a kind memoir, just like she was. It leaves you with a deep and strong feelings. It also gives a heartbreaking view on Lisa’s last 13 years, I had no idea she was that far in desperation.
Almost unbearable to read.

Priscilla is portrayed by Lisa with no pink glasses, I cannot imagine how Nona can feel with such a frontal portrait. But at the same time she somewhat remains a presence like a real life Bree Van De Kamp in LMP life. Linda Thompson gets credit for her sincere commitment to Elvis. Ginger Alden on the other side is thrown as a pure gold digger by Lisa, who eavesdropped her phone conversations at the time. Curious how those ladies will handle the follow up when LMP put them in such a crude light. She in fact internalized everything she saw, heard, felt when she was with her dad at Graceland and as she lay it all down for the first time, the book contains quite a few surprises for Elvis fans. The downfall of Elvis is a hard read too. But the one Lisa is the more unforgivable about is herself.
And what can one say about Riley? I already liked her but after reading the book and her incredible commitment to her family, I just admire her. What a strong, grounded and lucid woman.

I also walked away with respect for Riley. Seems that she has learnt the right lessons from her family history.

[Igotstung]

I am barely on Chapter 2 but her description of Ginger Alden especially the day Elvis passed was shocking to me. I always thought the jibes of her having done her hair and makeup were exaggerated or flat out lies peddled by people like Grob and the MM but her confirming it says it all.

What I liked about the book was that they both don't linger on gossipy parts like this

[Giovanni]

I just bought the book, & am looking forward to reading it this weekend...

[Liverbobs]

I have the audiobook and am listening to it whilst I'm out jogging, I've also ordered the print version, thoroughly enjoying what I'm hearing so far, although I'm only at the part where Elvis and Priscilla split up. The "Goddam" bit made me burst out laughing (not a good look when you're jogging past several people out walking when this old dude jogging by just cracks up laughing ).

The Elvis anecdotes are so funny at times. Have you been to the part where he tries to chase rats from Lisa's room?

Lisa has great sense of humour. So does Riley, although hers is more subtle.

I've just got to that part

[Yamaguchi.Y]

I am barely on Chapter 2 but her description of Ginger Alden especially the day Elvis passed was shocking to me. I always thought the jibes of her having done her hair and makeup were exaggerated or flat out lies peddled by people like Grob and the MM but her confirming it says it all.

Elvis requested that Ginger always look her best for him and she took to even sometimes sleeping with her make up on in order to do so. She has spoken about this before. Sure, it's unusual, but so is anything associated with Our Hero - especially in those later years.
(I don't think there is anything sinister about it.)

What's telling is that nobody really liked Ginger or thought that she really cared about or was good for Elvis — except for Elvis himself that is.
Even Lisa had the same opinion as everyone else.

[jurasic1968]

Ginger was not good for Elvis. Linda was.

[Yamaguchi.Y]

Ginger was not good for Elvis. Linda was.

I very much agree. (Lisa really liked Linda a lot too.)
Had Linda not left (at Elvis' own instigation, I might add), August 16, 1977 very likely would have turned out differently (such things had happened multiple times before on her watch).
Linda's departure was an extremely fateful and critical turn of events.

[Wayfarer]

I have never been too interested in Elvis' family life, so read this book out of mild curiosity at best, and didn't have any expectations.

I was surprised at how moved I was when I finished. This is not a review, but more of first impressions without spoilers on first reading.

Riley Keough is a very good writer. Her prose is flowing with insightful narrative mixed with gentle wit, which, despite the most unusual lifestory she is telling, has intimate and relatable moments. Her contemplation on grief and family life is excellent. She is also very grounded and able to review her family history rationaly. She never dips in salaciousness or low hanging fruits of Elvislore and that makes it a refreshing read as far as celeb memoirs go.

Lisa's voice is also strong. Funny and heartbreaking, contemplative and reckless at the same time, it would be easy to dismiss her, as she herself calls " sad princess bullshit". Given how privileged she was, one would be tempted to roll their eyes at her self destruction, spiritual quests and angsty daddy issues. But her almost childlike brutal honesty stops one from being judgey. She freely acknowledges her inherently damaged persona. One wishes she was more self aware earlier in life. Even as we read about her life in her own words, we can see the pattern: problematic childhood, dependence on strong ( male) figures, her oscillating and unfocused work, her self destructive rebeliousness and her inherent refusal to ground herself even for her beloved children. But she was who she was, and her self criticism does make one wonder if with right support she could have brought happiness to her life.

As far Elvis is concerned, Lisa's time with her father seems to be the backbone of her life, for good or bad. Her intense love for him is evident, pure in its childlike adoration. Anecdotes are funny and heartfelt. The months leading to his death are truly heartbreaking, as the bratty little girl watches her beloved father slowly disintegrating. Elvis' parenting was terrible and he hardly comes across as an adult in the relationship. His deep love for her notwithstanding, the relationship did set her up for failure, as it was tough to escape the fascinating but ultimately damaging aura he set.

There are many shocking tales regarding other people in her life, celebs or not, but the overall tone is never gratuitous. Both the writers seem to want to learn something from these admittedly volatile experiences and that sets this book apart.

It is an eminently readable book, and as I mentioned earlier, unexpectedly moving one for me.

Thanks for these reflections. I'm going to prepare myself for this book when I get it. I had a lot of time for Lisa Marie and always rooted for her and was pleased she felt relieved that Baz portrayed her father with considerable respect and appreciation - even though a movie is a creative expression of a life. While autobiographies can be highly selective (the winners always write history), I sense from the comments so far that Lisa was refreshingly honest about herself when she recorded her tapes and that she perceived various issues in her life, and traced them back to her past as well as to her choices in the present. She sounds like she delievered a mature, visceral autobiography we can treasure, if with sadness.

[eligain]

I am barely on Chapter 2 but her description of Ginger Alden especially the day Elvis passed was shocking to me. I always thought the jibes of her having done her hair and makeup were exaggerated or flat out lies peddled by people like Grob and the MM but her confirming it says it all.

What Lisa writes about Ginger is exactly what we were hearing about her at the time from members of our fan club that followed the tours and would travel to hang out at the gates who got to know many from the group. It was also what we heard later from Elvis’ Denver police friends that said that Elvis was complaining about her to them.

[jurasic1968]

I never believed that Elvis would marry Ginger. Never.

[Igotstung]

I have never been too interested in Elvis' family life, so read this book out of mild curiosity at best, and didn't have any expectations.

I was surprised at how moved I was when I finished. This is not a review, but more of first impressions without spoilers on first reading.

Riley Keough is a very good writer. Her prose is flowing with insightful narrative mixed with gentle wit, which, despite the most unusual lifestory she is telling, has intimate and relatable moments. Her contemplation on grief and family life is excellent. She is also very grounded and able to review her family history rationaly. She never dips in salaciousness or low hanging fruits of Elvislore and that makes it a refreshing read as far as celeb memoirs go.

Lisa's voice is also strong. Funny and heartbreaking, contemplative and reckless at the same time, it would be easy to dismiss her, as she herself calls " sad princess bullshit". Given how privileged she was, one would be tempted to roll their eyes at her self destruction, spiritual quests and angsty daddy issues. But her almost childlike brutal honesty stops one from being judgey. She freely acknowledges her inherently damaged persona. One wishes she was more self aware earlier in life. Even as we read about her life in her own words, we can see the pattern: problematic childhood, dependence on strong ( male) figures, her oscillating and unfocused work, her self destructive rebeliousness and her inherent refusal to ground herself even for her beloved children. But she was who she was, and her self criticism does make one wonder if with right support she could have brought happiness to her life.

As far Elvis is concerned, Lisa's time with her father seems to be the backbone of her life, for good or bad. Her intense love for him is evident, pure in its childlike adoration. Anecdotes are funny and heartfelt. The months leading to his death are truly heartbreaking, as the bratty little girl watches her beloved father slowly disintegrating. Elvis' parenting was terrible and he hardly comes across as an adult in the relationship. His deep love for her notwithstanding, the relationship did set her up for failure, as it was tough to escape the fascinating but ultimately damaging aura he set.

There are many shocking tales regarding other people in her life, celebs or not, but the overall tone is never gratuitous. Both the writers seem to want to learn something from these admittedly volatile experiences and that sets this book apart.

It is an eminently readable book, and as I mentioned earlier, unexpectedly moving one for me.

Thanks for these reflections. I'm going to prepare myself for this book when I get it. I had a lot of time for Lisa Marie and always rooted for her and was pleased she felt relieved that Baz portrayed her father with considerable respect and appreciation - even though a movie is a creative expression of a life. While autobiographies can be highly selective (the winners always write history), I sense from the comments so far that Lisa was refreshingly honest about herself when she recorded her tapes and that she perceived various issues in her life, and traced them back to her past as well as to her choices in the present. She sounds like she delievered a mature, visceral autobiography we can treasure, if with sadness.

It is a good read. Also, I don't think this would have worked without Riley's portions, which put things in perspective.

[Igotstung]

I never believed that Elvis would marry Ginger. Never.

He didn't marry Linda also. Elvis didn't remain faithful to any of his girlfriends- June, Anita, Priiscilla, Linda... The list goes on.

I like what Riley intuits about the whole portion about Lisa's childhood reflections about her parents' partners: that Lisa learnt to prioritize her kids over her partners because of how her parents behaved.

[eligain]

I never believed that Elvis would marry Ginger. Never.

I think it’s possible and even likely that he talked marriage with Ginger but it was only to manipulate her to stay with him.i don’t believe he would have ever really married her. She was a trophy that wasn’t completely compliant. I think the consensus that she was pushed to be there by her mother is the correct one.

[jurasic1968]

Maybe. Her mother wanted Ginger to marry Elvis.