Thoughts on Unbearable Lightness.

I haven't finished listening to Portia DeGeneres' book "Unbearable Lightness" but because it's so intense I just can't wait to comment. 


First off; Portia's voice is freaking cute. When she says "everything" and "anything" her Australian accent comes through, but that's really the only time you can notice she's Australian. It's just cute and soft!


What I noticed in her book is how hard she was on herself. She was ruthless. It's good to see perspective and know that sometimes things are your own fault, but she would ALWAYS turn events to her fault. And that is really heartbreaking. And a little annoying. I mean after hearing her bring herself down for four hours you really just wanna reach through that iPod, grab her and shake her!! 


When Portia first mentioned Ellen (in the context of "I can't be an out lesbian because Ellen DeGeneres just came out and as a result her tv show got canceled") I squealed. I know this book is not about her relationship with Ellen but her sexual orientation is definitely a big part of this book and that's why I don't feel bad mentioning that.


Her calorie intake and weight are freaking insane. FREAKING. INSANE. I weigh about 160 pounds and I'm about 5'11 tall so that's a balanced weight... Portia is 5'8 and she weighed 82 pounds at one point during her eating disorder. 82 pounds. That's nothing. I'm surprised she could walk. 


Portia did have very unfortunate people around her. "Face it, you have big legs" is not a very smart thing to say to someone who has just been trying on skirts for the past 4 hours and couldn't fit in any of them. Especially when they cry out "I can't do this, they picked the wrong girl". 


I'm now more than halfway through the book and I can't listen to it non stop, 'cause I will get depressed. The story really grabs me. I feel sad for Portia, I can't believe she felt that she had to go through all this. 
Most of all, I'm happy she wrote this book and I'm happy she got out of this horrible period in her life. Will give my final thoughts in future blogpost.