Customer Reviews

My Trip Down the Pink Carpet

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"It is a terrible feeling when you cannot find your way home," Jordan writes, describing a night out clubbing as a very young man in Atlanta. The sentiment is also a metaphor for Leslie's life, as well as for many of the rest of us. Finding your way home takes years of wondering, searching and facing disappointments.

What I love most about this book is that Leslie Jordan has found his way home, and his famiiy of fans are here for him. The book ends with hope and help.

Like Leslie, I'm a gay Southerner. "They circled the wagons, as only true Southern [I'd add and Jewish] women can do, and created a secret garden where it was okay for little boys to play with dools." They knew, they loved us, and they wanted in their own best way to protect us. God bless our Southern Mamas!

Memoirs are tricky because how does one write about oneself subjectively? Usually too self-praising, or the other extreme self-deprecating. Leslie gets that tone just right. "I would never be the kind of actor who could disappear into the roles he or she played. And quite frankly, I have never been asked to play a character I felt was more interesting than me in real life."

And how true! "I've decided almost all gay men my age have what I call 'Marilyn Monroe syndrome.' We love to fall apart. We love to take pills and cry and carry on. We love self-recreated drama."

This book is funny, well-written (and well-edited) concise and a short-read. Enjoy it laugh and take away the few important lessons at that end.

Rich Merritt, author ofSecrets Of A Gay Marine Porn Star and Code of Conduct

Leslie Jordan's book is a lot like him...short, quirky and funny. I've seen this little southern diva before in many shows but it was his hilarious recurring role on television's "Will and Grace" and his side-splitting turn as Brother Boy in Del Shore's cult hit "Sordid Lives" that won me over. I've also had the good fortune of seeing him on stage with the traveling stage show of "Sordid Lives" and "Southern Baptist Sissies" in which he gave performances that brought down the house! When I read that he had a book coming out chronicling his life, I had to give it a read.

Jordan jumps back and forth in his book, never telling his story in chronological order. While that is not a bad thing, his story is choppy sometimes and I'm sure he's holding back some whopper-sized tales that would make his family blush if he really let loose and spilled the goods. However, what he does share is funny as well as touching. Through his words he shows how his Southern Baptist upbringing in Tennessee affected him as a young man, dealing with his sexual orientation and a life time of issues that come with that baggage. While he always knew he was a gay man, he was fighting those demons created by his Baptist teachings and the desires in his heart. Unfortunately, he wasted many years hating who he was and trying to numb that hate with drug and alcohol, all the while managing to keep his career moving along.

While he mentions many funny things, such as his celebrity crushes and some great stories about his mom and his overt "gayness", the most touching part of the book, for me, came near the end when he had the revelation of what we all truly should be striving for in life...which is to love and be loved. His revelation, sadly comes through the words of a friend dying of AIDS--words that are extremely relevant in today's world.

Jordan is a talented and wickedly funny character actor. I would love to have heard more about his time on the sets of shows like "Will and Grace" and "Ally McBeal" or on the movie sets he's worked on. It would also been nice to have heard more about his time as a child, his time in high school and his life in college. But all in all, 'My Trip Down the Pink Carpet' is a treat for fans of this diminutive firecracker.

I met Mr. Jordan several years ago when he was in town performing his one man show, Like a Dog on Linoleum. I was coming down the street and noticed his small frame immediately as 'Beverly Leslie' from Will & Grace, among other appearances. I walked up to him, absolutely thrilled to see him right there in the flesh. I hadn't got but a few words out when he hugged me like an old friend...not too difficult to do, since I'm honestly not much taller than him myself. I've been a fan ever since and have eagerly looked forward to reading this book. No long analysis here, folks, suffice to see that this delightful little read is like a drink of cool water on a hot day! Thoughtful, funny and totally capitivating, I found myself laughing out on the bus on my way to work as I read this! I can say my only criticism of the book is that is wasn't longer, as I was left very pleased with my read, but greedily wanting more. Well done, Leslie, well done!

I have had the pleasure to meet Leslie and see him live. The laughs have always come quite easily from Leslie and I certainly expected some when I bought this book. As I was riding the bus into work this morning I was sure that everyone else thought I was crazy because I would just burst out laughing. I could hardly contain myself. Thank you Leslie - what a perfect way to start my day.

If you read My Trip Down the Pink Carpet searching for great literature, you will be disappointed. It falls into the category of light summer reading. But it is a really fun frolic through the mind of Leslie Jordan. You can quite literally hear his voice throughout the book. He also touches deeply on themes that touch the gay community, especially as we boomers age. He does so with compassion and humor which make this a delightful light read.

do you feel like you are alone and need a lift on life read this book you will love it also if he comes to your city make sure you go see him we have and loved his show

Whilst most TV audiences may only know the very gifted comic actor Mr Leslie Jordan as a regular guest star on "Will & Grace" (for which he won an Emmy Award) and "Boston Legal", there is oh so much more to him, as he reveals in his "autobiography" - MY TRIP DOWN THE PINK CARPET. The openly gay actor has had a very diverse career on stage, film and television. But indeed his life off the stage & screen has certainly been a wild ride, and one well worth documenting. Brought up as a Christian in the Deep South, self-tortured by his gay demons and unlucky in love, he turned to a variety of addictive substances that he thought would help him cope with life. Welcome to Hollywood! But he rose above all of that and now has his life and career well and truly back on track. He is happy and comfortable with who he is. As Mr Jordan says in his book, the secret of a healthy life is learning to love oneself. For those who like showbiz autobiographies - this is a great read. For those who might be having trouble coming to terms with their sexuality - this is a MUST read!

A very funny and quick summer read. I picked it up in the morning and had finished it that same evening. I found myself laughing outloud several times. Tons of fun

I am one of the survivors of the same generation as Mr. Jordan, even though we are in different walks of life and living in very different communities. I'm impressed with the author's ability to tell a story from his life with such accuracy while being both moving and funny. I hope volume two is on the horizon.

Having known Leslie while he was growing up, I thoroughly enjoyed his book. I think anyone who is homophobic should read it and then they would realize what gays have to go through in life to be not only accepted in society, but to be at peace with themselves. Love you Leslie!! Gail