Customer Reviews

Ellen DeGeneres: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies)

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I've long been a fan of Ellen and in my attempt to sate some curiosity about her back story I stumbled on this biography. I wish I hadn't however. It reads like a badly written high school research project on a "famous person". The author confuses tense as well as narrative structure but unforgivably, she cites wikis and other writers' dubious research for her "facts". Pointless and cringe worthy statistical survey data sits crudely within a wholly awkward and labored narrative.
I would have tried to look past these if it weren't for the revolting qualification of "Ellen says she was molested by her stepfather" of Ellen's abuse. If you borrow someone else's life without seeking their permission you can at least take her word for what has happened to her in it especially when you seem so content with the accuracy of wikis and tabloid journals for information. A truly terrible waste of my time and money.

Inviting people to be a part of our lives through their images on our television screens has made us feel curious about and somehow involved in the lives of celebrities. "Ellen DeGeneres: A Biography" by independent scholar Lisa Iannucci is an informed and informative introduction to the life and accomplishments of Ellen DeGeneres who is one of America's best known (and liked) female comedians. In 1997 Ellen made dramatic (and comedic) history when she announced to the world that she was a lesbian. Although initially it cost her a very successful weekly sitcom, she went on to become successful as an entertainer in films, daily talk shows, advertising campaign spokesperson. Her personal life is the stuff of tabloids. All this adult success arising from a troubled childhood. "Ellen DeGeneres: A Biography" is enhanced with a list of her awards and a bibliography for further study, making it an ideal addition to community library Biography collections and a 'must read' for her legions of enthusiastic fans.