Things arent always what they seem.... (Growing Pains - Billie Piper)

Member Name: licclevicki

Product:	Growing Pains - Billie Piper
Date:	18/06/09 (85 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: insight into Billie's life

Disadvantages: Outdate now

Billie Piper - Growing pains
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I have just finished reading Billie Pipers autobiography, Growing Pains.
The reason its taken me so long to read this book, is simply because its been sitting on my book shelf, shouting read me, read me, for ages, but l just haven't got around to reading it.
l now have a little bit more time on my hands so l thought ld have a read.

I knew before l read this book, that things in her life had changed since this book was published, so the book was likely to be a little outdated, but l still decided it would be worth a read. I'm happy to say it was!

The book l read was the updated Sunday times best seller version, which looks a little different from the cover listed here.

From the beginning of the book it was clear this book was going to be an enjoyable read.
I cannot say l have ever been one of Billie's greatest fans, ld go as far as saying in the past ld found her annoying. But for some reason, l wanted to read this book. Perhaps partly because l am only a year younger than Billie, and l can remember her very early days.
I remember being a teenager in her era, and her number 1 hits as a popstar in the 90's. So l can relate to much of what she talks about in her younger days, the hairstyles, music, and general trends.

What l liked most about this book was my ability to connect to Billie as a person, l even grew to like her.
I almost felt like she was a distant friend. I felt sorry for her in places, l admired her in places, but the biggest thing was that l came to understand her, which helped me to understand her life and why ld found her annoying in the past.

This is a book about growing up in the public eye. Billie got into the showbiz world at a very young age. Billie hadn't finished school, she was essentially a child, yet her world changed before her eyes. Billie tells her story as it is. I liked her ability to describe how she felt spending her teenage years in the public eye, admitting that it wasn't all that it is made out to be and like she thought it would be, it was very tough for her. In fact it tore her world apart. Every mistake she ever made was catastrophised by the media, lies were thrown at her, and the pressure was immense.
We learn how Billie fought with independence when all she really needed was guidance and reassurance, but there was no one around at the time to recognise this as she shut everyone who cared out of her life.

We learn about the ups and downs Billie experiences, both in her early childhood and as she grows up and matures. We see many changes in Billie as she grows up. The book at times is heartbreaking as Billie battles anorexia and becomes seriously unwell and her divorce to Chris Evans.
You come to understand her relationship with people, and follow her in her tracks as she learns to stand on her own two feet and succeed with her life long dream of doing the thing she really loves, acting. She is now an acclaimed actress with roles in Doctor who, Secret life of a call girl, along with other shows.

Much of this book, and Billie's experiences are simply about growing up and learning about ones self. I could see similarities with both myself and friends who grew up around a similar time. Billie of course had added pressures, but underneath l can identify with those same feelings about struggling for freedom and independence.

Billie came from a working class family, and this made the book much easier to read and relate to. It seems she fell into her world practically by accident. She talks a little about her back ground, and being a carer to her siblings whilst her mother suffered depression.

The style of writing was easy flowing, easy to read and the chapters were short. This was a very easy book to read and it didn't take me long to read the book at all, just a couple of evening reads. Generally the structure was fine, there was some flitting from different stages of her life, but it wasn't too confusing.

It seems that Billie got a lot of help writing this book, so lm not too sure how much she was influenced by other people. I think the idea of this book was because she didn't want someone else writing a book about her, she wanted people to know the truth. There are parts of the book that aren't as detailed as others, and l think she has the right to some privacy. Unfortunately that made the end of the book a little weak in places, because it wasn't as detailed as other parts. In fact a few of the chapters nearing the end seemed quite rushed, which was a shame.

Essentially the book is a good read, giving a good insight into her life. I really admire the way she is still very good friends with Chris Evans, and there is no bitchiness towards other celebs in the book.

The language in the book, is quite strong in places, so if your not keen on swearing, you may have to just close your eyes to those bits.
I suppose the book is probably more suited to readers in their 20's and 30's. It seemed to be aimed at readers of this generation, in the style and tone of the writing, which was pretty informal. Some may view this as a poorly written book because of this, but l like it. It was straight from the heart and told like it is.

An enjoyable read, and recommended!

Currently priced around the £6 mark at amazon.

Summary: an enjoyable read