Book info

• Title Unbearable Lightness
• Author Portia de Rossi
• Year 2010
• Genre Memoir

Born Mandy Rodgers just outside of Geelong, Portia de Rossi is one of Hollywood's most intriguing and talked about stars. Finding early success in the Australian film Sirens, Portia went on to star in the hit television series Ally McBeal, as well as the cult hit Arrested Development, launching her Hollywood career - and eventual high-profile marriage to Hollywood mega-star Ellen DeGeneres. But behind her success, Portia was plagued by self doubt, depression, anorexia and bulimia. Starving herself and terrified of being ‘outed' by the press, Portia lived a Hollywood nightmare for years.

Thoughts

As a celebrity, Portia de Rossi’s battle with anorexia and bulimia was well documented by the paparazzi, but here you get to understand the real story behind her struggles with self-esteem, weight and diet, as well as coming to terms with her own sexuality. I’ve got mixed feelings about the book - it’s engrossing, I couldn’t put it down, and it’s intensely honest but is that to a fault?

On the one hand, if anyone struggling with their own issues reads it and gains some insight or support from the words then that can only be a good thing. It’s also useful for anyone living with a relative or friend that struggles with the same thing, as you never really know what someone is going through.

But then again, it seems to be the kind of disease that really needs you to have your own epiphany before breaking free, the age-old saying of admitting there’s a problem and wanting to help yourself. If that’s the case, then I worry the book is more of a guide than a deterrent, but I guess it’s an individual experience.

From my point of view, I found it an interesting and insightful view, shining a light on a terrifying condition and the horrifying Hollywood attitudes that do nothing but spur it on.

Rating: 4 / 5