Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark

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Book details
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHachette Books
- Publication dateSeptember 21, 2021
- Dimensions6.35 x 1.35 x 9.3 inches
- ISBN-100306874350
- ISBN-13978-0306874352
Book overview
The woman behind the icon known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, the undisputed Queen of Halloween, reveals her full story filled with intimate bombshells—told by the bombshell herself.
On Good Friday in 1953, at only 18 months old, 25 miles from the nearest hospital in Manhattan, Kansas, Cassandra Peterson reached for a pot on the stove and doused herself in boiling water. Third-degree burns covered 35% of her body, and the prognosis wasn't good. But she survived. Burned and scarred, the impact stayed with her and became an obstacle she was determined to overcome. Feeling like a misfit led to her love of horror. While her sisters played with Barbie dolls, Cassandra built model kits of Frankenstein and Dracula, and idolized Vincent Price.
Due to a complicated relationship with her mother, Cassandra left home at 14, and by age 17 she was performing at the famed Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. Run-ins with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Tom Jones helped her grow up fast. Then a chance encounter with her idol Elvis Presley, changed the course of her life forever, and led her to Europe where she worked in film and traveled Italy as lead singer of an Italian pop band. She eventually made her way to Los Angeles, where she joined the famed comedy improv group, The Groundlings, and worked alongside Phil Hartman and Paul "Pee-wee" Reubens, honing her comedic skills.
Nearing age 30, a struggling actress considered past her prime, she auditioned at local LA channel KHJ as hostess for the late night vintage horror movies. Cassandra improvised, made the role her own, and got the job on the spot. Yours Cruelly, Elvira is an unforgettably wild memoir. Cassandra doesn't shy away from revealing exactly who she is and how she overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. Always original and sometimes outrageous, her story is loaded with twists, travails, revelry, and downright shocking experiences. It is the candid, often funny, and sometimes heart-breaking tale of a Midwest farm girl's long strange trip to become the world's sexiest, sassiest Halloween icon.
Instant New York Times Bestseller, Los Angeles Times Bestseller, USA Today Bestseller, Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A New York Times Best Books to Give This Season selection
Review
“Friggin’ hilarious! Juicy stories and outrageous revelations!”―RuPaul
“A wicked page turner filled with hilarity and heartbreak—a life full of crazy stories and insane revelations, told as only Cassandra Peterson could tell it.”―Rob Zombie
"This is the behind-the-wig story we've all been waiting for! It's inspiring, at times harrowing, and consistently hilarious. Be warned though, it's a real 'booby trap' because once you've picked it up you cannot put it down!"―Peaches Christ
“A hauntingly beautiful memoir of one of the most iconic figures of the macabre. Just when I thought I couldn’t fall in love with Elvira any more, this book took my admiration to a whole other level.”―Kat Von D
“I knew Cassandra had a colorful and exciting life, but I didn¹t realize what a talented writer she’d become. Her book is beautiful—funny, poignant, outrageous, and full of surprises. Exactly like her. I’m happy I can genuinely recommend it and hope I’ll get to play myself when it becomes a blockbuster movie.”―Paul Reubens AKA Pee-wee Herman
“Elvira the character is a tantalizing gothic pop icon, a living Halloween costume, a kitschy, clever, comely chanteuse with brains. But Cassandra, the multi-talented woman inside that character, has lived an incredible life full of experiences that make most people's best days sound like dime-store humdrum.”―Jack White
“Elvira/Cassandra is a glamour ghoul after my own black heart—and a virtuoso tassel-twirler. I value her beauty advice. But most of all, I treasure her showbiz tales—louche, lusty, and sometimes so ludicrous they have to be real! Here they are, and more, delivered with that scintillating wit that makes her a bona fide legend. I savored every single page.”―Dita Von Teese
“Prepare yourself to enter a rocky, rollicking life, loaded with unexpected twists, turns, and stunning surprises. The Groupie stories alone will leave you jawdropped. Turn off your phones and computers, get to know Cassandra, and settle in for a delicious, un-put-downable read.”―Pamela Des Barres
"For chilly nights, stay at home and read Yours Cruelly, Elvira, the dishy new memoir from Elvira (a.k.a. Cassandra Peterson), the longtime horror movie hostess and entrepreneur."―New York Times
"Cassandra Peterson reveals how she became the Mistress of the Dark, and her tale is far more complex than one might expect….Through it all, Peterson maintains the dry sense of humor beloved by viewers since her Movie Macabre days, showing off her affection for corny puns even when she’s recalling painful memories. Her book is a must-read for anyone interested in 1970s Hollywood, horror movies, or just Elvira herself—a pop culture icon of the highest order." ―BUST Magazine
“Yours Cruelly, Elvira is packed with insider details and a few shocking surprises which no one saw coming, except folks closest to her plunging neckline….Peterson's memoir is written in much the same style as her persona and delivers her mildly sardonic yet warmly funny lines easily, but it's not all jokes and sarcasm. There's an honesty that satisfyingly saturates these chapters. Fans will savor personal stories about her rocky upbringing, her determination to make it in Hollywood, and, most touchingly, her deep shock and sadness at losing several close friends to the burgeoning AIDS epidemic while attempting to remain focused on her career. There are a few zingers Peterson elaborates on which will undoubtedly surprise even hardcore fans of this dark enchantress.”―Bay Area Reporter
"If you've ever wondered if there are 1000 fascinating stories behind the iconic character, the answer is yes....The book is full of a million ways she became that way."―NPR’s “Bullseye”
“The writing in the memoir is deeply personal and heartfelt, detailing Peterson’s relationships with her parents, her siblings and her partners throughout the years. Seemingly she doesn’t hold back on details, allowing the audience to appreciate a life lived, with many lessons learned along the way….Ostensibly Yours Cruelly, Elvira is a book for horror fans and lovers of this character, and no doubt if a devotee remembers tuning in on Saturday nights to see Elvira introduce the horror flick of the week, there’s a lot of nostalgia within these pages. However, Peterson is after something more profound and revelatory than mere nostalgia. Her stories are meant to teach lessons, bear witness and show just how wild a life’s journey can be from the farms of Kansas to the top of the media world….This is not Elvira’s book, it’s Peterson’s, and that’s a good thing."―Hollywood Soapbox
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Product information
| Publisher | Hachette Books (September 21, 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 304 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0306874350 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0306874352 |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Dimensions | 6.35 x 1.35 x 9.3 inches |
| Best Sellers Rank |
#74,949 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#9 in Horror Movies
#123 in Television Performer Biographies
#2,438 in Memoirs (Books)
|
| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 3,645Reviews |
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Customers say
Customers find the book a grand read with a fascinating life story. They also appreciate the writing style as well-written with humor and honesty. Readers describe the content as excellent and truthful. They find the characters lovable, likeable, and an inspiration for women everywhere.
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Customers find the book entertaining, and a great pick-me-up. They also say it's a grand read and if you're ever feeling defeated.
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"...Thoroughly enjoyed reading her life story even though her life goes on, her story continues." Read more
"This book, if you like Cassandra Peterson as Elvira is a grand read. Many revealing and shocking life experiences...." Read more
"...A great memoir in every way, and can be reread many times as i did." Read more
"very good book............" Read more
Customers find the storyline fascinating, insightful, and full of surprises. They also describe the book as a cautionary tale, passionate, and jaw-dropping.
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"So varied and interesting viewpoint from a very enigmatic personality...." Read more
"...Many revealing and shocking life experiences...." Read more
"...witty, and knows how to tell the story of her life, which is extremely interesting and filled with lots of ups and downs...." Read more
"...great and her modest, open and witty recounting of her life is full of good lessons without being "preachy"...." Read more
Customers find the writing style well-written, with humor and honesty. They also say it's one of the funniest books they've read in a long time, and poetic.
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"...Was entertained by her writing style and the pictures helped to further the overall sense of the story, jovial and yet with portions of serious..." Read more
"...She is VERY cool, funny, witty, and knows how to tell the story of her life, which is extremely interesting and filled with lots of ups and downs...." Read more
"...Her attitude is great and her modest, open and witty recounting of her life is full of good lessons without being "preachy"...." Read more
"...Bottom line: A book liberally sprinkled with humor, but basically infused with the whole gamut of emotions: joy and sadness, love and loss,..." Read more
Customers find the book excellent, honest, and interesting. They also say the author is brilliant and the stories are far-fetched but come off truthful.
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"...She is VERY cool, funny, witty, and knows how to tell the story of her life, which is extremely interesting and filled with lots of ups and downs...." Read more
"What else can I say? Cassandra Peterson’s autobiography of her life is a masterpiece." Read more
"...One one hand it a very frank and honest biography of this actors struggle to gain work and recognition in Las Vegas and Hollywood...." Read more
"...Some of the stories seem far fetched but come off truthful...." Read more
Customers find the book entertaining.
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"...I do enjoy her conversational writing style. The book was fun to read. Why am I so negative?..." Read more
"...the character Elvira and now to read about her real life was entertaining and insightful...." Read more
"...All in all, it was entertaining and well written." Read more
"...It’s well written and entertaining. I read this one, but if she does an audiobook only, she can read it. I heard her voice as I read." Read more
Customers find the book style lovely and iconic.
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"...and the pictures helped to further the overall sense of the story, jovial and yet with portions of serious situations and beliefs...." Read more
"...The book is full of great photos of her life, her roles and her new mate.A great memoir in every way, and can be reread many times as i did." Read more
"...She is VERY cool, funny, witty, and knows how to tell the story of her life, which is extremely interesting and filled with lots of ups and downs...." Read more
"...Who would marry her in a heart beat! I read it. She's my hero. A beautiful woman who can wear those heels, walk like she's in tennis shoes...." Read more
Customers find the character likeable, interesting, and inspirational for women everywhere. They also mention that the unique Elvira character is great and is truly an inspiration for women.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
"So varied and interesting viewpoint from a very enigmatic personality...." Read more
"...and she gives 110% to her show and her fans, and is a lovable and likeable person. She is too cool for the Hollywood A-listers in my opinion...." Read more
"...she has had a very interesting life and her resilience, humanity, personality and sense of humor comes right through in this easy to read book...." Read more
"...Lots of ups and downs and just a real, genuine person at the heart of it all. I don't read many memoirs, but I knew I'd love this one!" Read more
Customers find the book starts strong but becomes bitter. They say the book itself is high quality, and the conversational flow is great. Readers also mention that the book is brave, inspiring, and fascinating.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
"...Elvira has magically represented the sexy misfit rocker, but vulnerable and approachable, often misunderstood...." Read more
"...The book itself is high quality, the conversational flow was great, like she's sitting their just telling you stories from her life...." Read more
"Couldn't put it down. Love her so much! What a brave, inspiring, fascinating woman. She's lived so many lives in one lifetime." Read more
"Packaged secure, no damages to book, very happy." Read more
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A great memoir in every way, and can be reread many times as i did.
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Love Elvira and appreciate how your example of your thriving after your life's trials and tribulations.
Thank you!!!!
(Tony m says hi from indiana)
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Além das fotos tbm veio um índice.
A única coisinha "ruim" é só o livro não possuir orelhas.
As folhas são amareladas e de um papel muito bom pra leitura e manuseio. Está uma verdadeira obra prima fazendo jus ao ícone que a Elvira/Cassandra é.
Estou há mais de um ano aguardando por esse momento. 🖤
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