Cher: Part One: The Memoir – An Intimate and Extraordinary Story of a Trailblazing Icon Who Topped Billboard for Seven Decades (The Cher Memoir, 1)

Let me tell you, I enjoy memoirs when I’m in the right mood, and this is no exception. Cher and Stephanie J. Block, the actress who won a Tony after playing Cher on Broadway, take turns narrating Part 1 of 2 (Part 2 drops November 2025) and they sound so similar that they’re easy to confuse. As fierce and brazen as she tends to seem in interviews and in the roles she plays, she is actually far more vulnerable, naive, and even innocent than one might expect. Evolving from humble beginnings that included addiction/co-addiction, domestic violence, poverty, and trauma, she displays a strong work ethic in the absence of any sense of entitlement. She seems honest and genuine as she speaks about the complicated but loving relationship she had with her mother, how hard it was to watch her mother hold fast to the belief that success and stability in a woman’s life were to be attained by way of a man, and how hard she has worked to break the cycles found within her family system. Maybe one of the most surprising things is the sometimes childlike, or maybe just ingenuous affection and appreciation she feels toward Sonny. She is neither unkind nor dramatic when she speaks candidly about the ways he admittedly exploited her and their success, or his history of infidelity. In fact, she seems fairly straightforward when she describes how his often controlling, possessive, manipulative, and even calculated approach to their professional and domestic partnerships. Admittedly she has worked through negative feelings she once harbored in relation to Sonny, and seems left with positive regard and genuine affection toward him overall. There are times when it feels like an example of trauma bonding borne of emotional abuse within their marriage, while there are other times when it feels as though she simply loves things they shared. This is the first of two parts, and there is a great deal of detail with regard to her costumes and wardrobe, as well as the exterior/interior designs related to her homes. She is quick-witted, sarcastic, and clever, as well as warm, and just really easy to like. The anecdotal accounts tend to be evolve organically, her conversational tone inviting her audience to look forward to knowing more of, and feeling closer to, “Cher,” and all that that implies. Trigger Warning: addiction/co-addiction, domestic violence, family enmeshment, male dependence, gaslighting

Like any good autobiography, this is very well written because it is like Cher is talking to you. And there is plenty here that you probably didn't know. She had an almost shocking childhood riddled with poverty and constant moves from place to place as a result of a mother who, though loving, comes across as very self-centered. As a result, Cher didn't even have the drive to finish high school. But, due to her good looks, talent, endearing personality, and, mostly, pure luck and chance, she was able to start a career as a teenager that would, ultimately, make her legendary. Little did we know that Sonny Bono was such a creep, big time record producer David Geffen was Cher's savior, and her marriage to Greg Allman was a total fiasco. Amid it all, it is extraordinary to learn of all of the famous people Cher encountered and got to know during her younger self. It is really quite amazing. This is a real eye opener that provides honest insight by Cher herself as to how she got to where she did during the first three decades of her life. Is there a lesson here ? Yes, It is that Cher's devotion to her morals and values despite all that was going on around her kept her grounded and successful. Very well done. Looking forward to Part Two and her life as a major film star and Oscar winner.

The beginning was kind of brutal to get through , but I understand why it was included . As the book went on it was more of what I expected . I personally think she is a great actress and performer and am looking forward to read about her acting career .

I enjoyed learning about Cher's life growing up. The initial 2/3 of the book were pretty detailed, but the last 1/3 seemed written in a rush. Cher did such a good job on explaining Sonny, but characters seemed superficial.

A little slow at the start but fascinating as more you read. A complex picture of an icon who is still funny and humble.

Loved her story! Can't wait for Part 2!

Great read if you like or love Cher. I cannot wait for Part 2. It was so relatable for me living in California, most of her childhood places, I also frequent as a teen! What I like the most she narrated her own book!!!!!

Bought this for my wife as a gift. She started she really liked the story. I’ll run with that as I didn’t read the book.

Manchmal kleinteilig und detailverliebt, aber nicht so extrem wie bei Barbra Streisand. Kaum feministische Selbstbespiegelung, guter Spannungsbogen in der Erzählweise. Und natürlich eine HAMMER-Lebensgeschichte wie bei Barbra und Al Pacino. Teil 2 wird jetzt vorbestellt. Weihnachten 2025 kann kommen.

Fascinating part one of a true icon. A fan but I learnt so much more about Cher Cannot wait for part two

Frantastic. I loved it. Well written and so human. Women stories from the past decades. We were so courageous and strong.

Great read!

great read, highly recommended