Title: Cher: The Memoir, Part One: A Disappointing Start to a Fascinating Story
The highly anticipated memoir from Cher, subtitled “Part One”, has finally been released, but it falls short of expectations. The book chronicles the early days of her life, her erratic upbringing, and her marriages to Sonny Bono and Gregg Allman, as well as the early ups and downs of her pop career. While the material is rich with intrigue, the execution falls flat.
Cher’s voice is absent throughout the book, replaced by a more generic, “Diet Cher” who is often told in a way that lacks the wit, sass, and humor that fans of the singer have come to expect. The writing is dry, and the story is told in a way that is more akin to a Wikipedia entry than a memoir written by Cher herself.
The biggest disappointment is the lack of Cher’s unique voice throughout the book. While there are moments of withering disdain and flashes of humor, they are not enough to make up for the overall lack of personality. The book reads like a series of facts without the personality and flair that fans of Cher have come to expect.
The story is there, and the material is fascinating, but it’s a Tom-sized hole in the center of the book. Cher’s voice is missing, and it’s a shame given the potential for a truly unforgettable memoir. The only glimmer of hope is that the second part of the book, which will be released next year, might be authored by Cher herself, which could bring a much-needed injection of personality and humor to the narrative.
