Inside Out

Author: Demi Moore
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers, 2019
Pages: 272
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: For decades, Demi Moore has been synonymous with celebrity. From iconic film roles to high-profile relationships, Moore has never been far from the spotlight - or headlines.

Even as Demi was becoming the highest paid actress in Hollywood, however, she was always outrunning her past, just one step head of the doubts and insecurities that defined her childhood. Throughout her rise to fam and during some of the most pivotal moments of her life, Demi battled addiction, body image issues, and childhood trauma that would follow her for years - all while juggling a skyrocketing career and at time negative public perception. As her success grew, Demi found herself questioning if she belonged in Hollywood, if she was a good mother, a good actress - and, always, if she was simply good enough.

As much as her story is about adversity, it is also about tremendous resilience. In this deeply candid and reflective memoir, Demi pulls back the curtain and opens up about her career and personal life - laying bare her tumultuous relationship with her mother, her marriages, her struggles balancing stardom with raising a family, and her journey toward heartedness. Inside Out is a story of survival, success, and surrender - a wrenchingly honest portrayal of one woman's at once ordinary and iconic life.

Review: I have low expectations on the rare occasion I read a celebrity memoir. I have a hard time relating to the rich and famous who try to portray themselves as just like you. This was more interesting, and maybe even a little relatable. 

I do feel a certain amount of honesty was lacking, and she remains a bit out of touch with herself and reality, but it was interesting. I was more interested in her childhood because, let's face it, even a teenager in the 90s, I knew Demi had a story because she was doing things and behaving in ways "normal" people don't. The last chapter of her life thus far - the Demi/Ashton Kutcher story was glossed over in the book, but maybe not enough time has passed that she can put it into perspective.

I read this for entertainment, and entertained I was.

For the record, of the Demi Moore movies I've seen, A Few Good Men was my favorite.