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Elvis and Me

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Member Reviews

"Elvis and Me" by Priscilla Presley is a captivating and intimate memoir that offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the life of one of the most iconic figures in music history, Elvis Presley. Priscilla's firsthand account of her time with the King of Rock and Roll provides insight into their relationship, the challenges they faced, and the highs and lows of fame.

The book delves into Priscilla's early years, detailing how she met Elvis as a teenager and the whirlwind romance that followed. Readers are given a glimpse into the private moments shared between the couple, as well as the pressures and expectations that came with being part of Elvis's inner circle.

Priscilla's writing is honest and heartfelt, offering a candid portrayal of the complexities of her relationship with Elvis. She does not shy away from discussing the difficulties they faced, including Elvis's struggles with fame and addiction, as well as the impact their relationship had on her own identity and sense of self.

One of the most poignant aspects of "Elvis and Me" is Priscilla's exploration of her own personal growth and journey towards independence. As she navigates the highs and lows of life with Elvis, Priscilla's resilience and strength shine through, making her a compelling and relatable protagonist.

Overall, "Elvis and Me" is a touching and poignant memoir that provides a rare glimpse into the private life of one of the most legendary figures in music history. Priscilla Presley's storytelling is poignant and engaging, making this book a must-read for fans of Elvis Presley and anyone interested in the complexities of fame and love.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley and Sandra Harmon!

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Timed for the upcoming movie adaption Priscilla, 1985's Elvis and Me will be re-released on August 1, 2023. Berkley Publishing Group provided an early galley for review.

The story opens with the summer of 1977, the day Elvis died. I was twelve at the time of his death, and his was probably the first celebrity death that registered on my young radar. I knew his songs and the timbre of his voice; I knew his movies that were a staple of Sunday afternoon reruns; I knew his look and presence.

Their story jumps back to when they first met in Germany where both her father and Elvis were stationed. She was only fourteen at the time (and he ten years her senior). Today's generation might find the age difference very troubling, but at the time it likely only raised some eyebrows (surprisingly enough - one was Elvis' own father). From her telling, she implies that she sensed the goodness and decency in him as their love was starting. And she explains away a lot of his questionable behavior and his temper, again all in the name of love.

Some of this could be written off as viewing the past through "rose-colored glasses" (remembering the good over the bad). However, she does not shy away from the bad as her story continues. She stops making the excuses for it. She even admits her own missteps as well. And, as she says in the end, her goal was to tell the story of a relationship coming together and falling apart.

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Those of us of a certain age might remember Priscilla Presley as Jenna Wade on ‘Dallas’ or Jane in ‘The Naked Gun’, while others of us think of her stint on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ or the more recent ‘Wedding at Graceland’ on the Hallmark Channel. You’ve met Presley as Lisa Marie’s mother, as Riley’s grandmother, and of course as the fierce protector of her iconic husband’s legacy. With Sofia Coppola’s upcoming biopic, now is the perfect time to reintroduce yourself to ’Elvis and Me’, especially through the knowing lens of 2023 and the losses Presley has endured since its original 1985 publication and the 1988 tv movie of the same name. An emblematic Eighties autobiography from the girl who was in the room with the King of Rock and Roll, Presley’s touching account is highly recommended

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This interesting and enjoyable autobiography by Priscilla Presley provided a lot of information about Elvis Presley and his relationships with various people in his life. It also provided insight into the development of Priscilla's home life with Elvis and the difficulties of life with a movie star. Priscilla seemed to provide a stableness and normalry that Elvis needed, but it seems she had to give up a part of her own self in order to maintain this. I was surprised at some of the revelations. I guess I never realized how much acting and starring in movies meant to Elvis Presley and how he felt about the way he was cast.

I encourage any Elvis fan to read this as it casts light on his character and some of his decisions.

I guess I never realized how much acting and starring in movies meant to Elvis Presley and how he felt about the way he was cast.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group through Netgalley for and advance copy. This book will be published on August 1, 2023.

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Elvis and Me
By Priscilla Presley
Pub Date: August 1, 2023
Berkely
Biography
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book was previously published in 1985. I am not a huge follower of Elvis although his music is enjoyable. I still find it surprising that her parents allowed her to live with this rock and roll
Legend when she was 16 in Germany. I did not gain any new insights except that maybe Priscilla wants to go down in history as blameless in this odd relationship.
2 stars

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This is the 1985 copyrighted book with a 2023 introduction added. Maybe this has been republished to promote a new movie about Priscilla.

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Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and to NetGalley for an ARC of the book Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley,

I have read many books about Elvis (including this one) over the years. It has been a while since I read Priscilla's book. I was excited to dive into this book again, I think she did a wonderful job of telling her story about her time with Elvis.. So many people have told her story, it is nice to hear it in her own words. This was a really enjoyable read and now I am glad that after all of these years, she has also recorded an audio version of it. This is very likely something I will purchase for my personal collection,

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Wow. I knew a fair amount about Elvis before reading this book. But never from this perspective. I didn't realize certain things and really opened my eyes as to the true Elvis. I feel bad for him, he never seemed to find true happiness. The truth would have done wonders for him.

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Elvis and Me is a re-release of the 1985 book with a new introduction by the author. This refresh is a welcome addition to shelves amid the Elvis hype. Highly recommended.

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I guess that it is the perfect time to cash in on a death (Lisa Marie) a movie by Sofia Coppola and a movie that was cringe-worthy to watch.
This is basically a rehash of the 1985 book and I really did not learn anything new.

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