Cher

If you are a Cher fan wondering where she came from, this is the book you have been waiting for. Part One presents her life until about 1980.

While some might consider the early sections focusing on her mother and grandmother to be extraneous, I felt they were critical to understanding her inherited generational trauma. Cher's grandmother was 13 when she gave birth to Jackie Jean (Cher's mom). Jackie Jean had no role model for parenting when she ended up pregnant with Cher at age 19. From the show more very beginning, Cher's life was unstable - being left with various caretakers while her mother struggled to make money and find (and keep) a husband.

Cher discussing growing up and moving around, ultimately attending more than 20 schools, none of which identified her severe dyslexia (at that time, also called "word blindness"). While identifying and addressing dyslexia was rare in those days, this added difficulty to an already challenging upbringing. Ultimately, she dropped out of school at age 16, but attended acting classes, which somehow her mother managed to afford.

The book really starts to get interesting when she meets Sonny. It was interesting to see her develop as a performer and also shrink as a person. From 1963 (when they meet) to 1965 (when they marry) and to 1969 ( as they become parents and go broke) they go from Cher and Sonny to "Sonny and Cher". They made money and then Sonny lost it. He leveraged everything they earned and owned to try to generate even more. They hit bottom. And then Sonny asks her to give him 2 more years. They go back on the road to small shows, constantly performing. And they build on the music and develop a comedy routine that becomes the 1971 Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. She tells us how exhausting it was. She was constantly working and Sonny always had something else for them to do.

Sonny controlled everything - her time, her money, her habits, etc. He didn't let her play music in the house. He didn't let her go anywhere without him (except shopping.) She relates a story where he burned her tennis outfit when he decided that she was no longer allowed to play.

Even from the early days of their relationship, he seemed to be molding and developing "Cher" as a commodity. And by around 1970, Sonny owned 98 percent of Cher Enterprises and his business manager owned 2 percent. Cher owned none. Some may judge her using the lens of current times. How could she sign contracts she didn't read or understand? Well. (1) She was dyslexic and never graduated high school. (2) She met Sonny at age 16 in 1962. They married. (3) She had seen her mother cycle through husbands (marry-divorce-marry-divorce) and finances (sometimes flush, sometimes homeless). Cher had no model for self-reliance. So, she assumed that everything was joint. What was hers was his and vice versa. At the time, who would think that a husband would write a contract disenfranchising his wife. I have a lot of sympathy.

All that said, I didn't think the memoir came off as "poor me". On the contrary, she takes responsibility for all her mistakes. She didn't know what she didn't know. While she was already well-known, she was still learning to be a practical adult.

There was a lot of positive and interesting details as well. I loved to read about how Cher developed her style. Fashion has been very important and she gives details about gowns and costumes that are awesome. I also think that she presents so many positive stories of crew and assistants and network execs and all sorts of people who help her careers. Finally, hearing how she became a parent and managed her growing high-profile career, divorce, debt, and parenting was fantastic.

I am looking forward to Part 2. show less

From a tumultuous childhood to a turbulent personal and professional adult life, Cher has packed an amazing amount of living into one lifetime. This memoir is told in a very conversational style making it easy and enjoyable to read in Cher's own voice and reads just like a novel written by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Three sections of pictures add visuals that nicely supplement the anecdotes in each segment of the narrative. The decision to split this book into two volumes is a good one because of show more how much information and detail fills these pages but it leaves this reader anxious for the rest of the story. Overall, Cher The Memoir Part 1 is an enjoyable read that would be entertaining for those who are fans of Cher as well as those who aren't. show less

Cher: A Five-Star Review

Cher's memoir, Cher, is a triumphant, intimate, and utterly captivating journey through the extraordinary life of a true icon. This book is so much more than just a celebrity memoir; it's a raw and honest account of a woman who defied expectations, broke down barriers, and constantly reinvented herself throughout her decades-long career.

From her humble beginnings with a financially struggling mother and an absent father, Cher's story is a testament to the power of show more resilience and determination. The memoir vividly portrays her early life struggles, painting a picture of a young girl with big dreams and the tenacity to pursue them despite the odds. Her childhood experiences, marked by instability and a constant fear of abandonment, shaped her into the fiercely independent woman she would become.

The book beautifully captures Cher's transformation from a shy girl with an undiagnosed learning disability to a captivating performer who commanded the world's attention. We see her grappling with stage fright, finding her voice, and ultimately becoming the confident, charismatic icon we know and love. The evolution of her style is a story in itself – from her early self-consciousness about her clothes to embracing bold fashion choices that challenged societal norms.

Cher offers a fascinating inside look at the entertainment industry. Her experiences with Sonny, from their initial meeting to their tumultuous professional and personal relationship, are detailed with remarkable honesty. The book pulls no punches in describing the challenges they faced, the sexism prevalent in Hollywood, and the eventual breakdown of their marriage. Cher's determination to forge her own path as a solo artist, against all odds, is particularly inspiring. She doesn't shy away from sharing her vulnerabilities and insecurities, making her story all the more relatable and powerful.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of stardom, Cher reveals a woman of depth and compassion. Her relationships with her family, particularly her mother and sister, are described with tenderness and humor. We see her as a devoted mother and a loyal friend, navigating the complexities of love and loss with both strength and vulnerability.

Interspersed with humorous anecdotes about everything from disastrous auditions to encounters with eccentric personalities like Salvador Dali, the memoir keeps you entertained from beginning to end. Cher's voice shines through on every page – witty, self-deprecating, and always authentic.

Cher is a must-read for anyone who admires this remarkable woman's talent, resilience, and enduring legacy. It's a celebration of a life lived on her own terms, a story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page.

The full Deep Dive review of this book can be watched from our YouTube channel...
https://youtu.be/ze63PWI22Tg show less

Love Cher. My favourite quote of hers has to be 'Mom, I am a rich man', a role she is still growing into here in the early years. Her relationship with Sonny Bono set all sorts of alarm bells ringing and I was glad when she outgrew him. There's a lot of name dropping but well-earned and gracious where deserved. I also admire the note at the start of the book about seeking her son's permission to use his deadname.

Cher might have had assistance with putting her life into words, but the wit show more and honesty are all hers. A true icon, I love her! show less