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Unbearable Lightness

A Story of Loss and Gain

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Unbearable Lightness

Written by: Portia de Rossi
Narrated by: Portia de Rossi
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“An unusually fresh and engrossing memoir of both Hollywood and modern womanhood.” —Los Angeles Times

In this searing, unflinchingly honest memoir, actress Portia de Rossi shares the truth of her long battle to overcome anorexia and bulimia while living in the public eye, and details the new happiness and health she has found in recent years—including her coming out and her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres.

In this groundbreaking memoir, Portia de Rossi reveals the pain and illness that haunted her for decades, from the time she was a twelve-year-old girl working as a model in Australia, through her early rise to fame as a cast member of the hit television show Ally McBeal. All the while terrified that the truth of her sexuality would be exposed in the tabloids, Portia alternately starved herself and binged, putting her life in danger and concealing from herself and everyone around her the seriousness of her illness.

She describes the elaborate rituals around food that came to dominate hours of every day and explores the pivotal moments of her childhood that set her on the road to illness. She reveals the heartache and fear that accompany a life lived in the closet, a sense of isolation that was only magnified by her unrelenting desire to be ever thinner, ever more in control of her body and the number of calories she consumed and spent.

From her lowest point, Portia began the painful climb back to a life of health and honesty, falling in love and marrying Ellen DeGeneres and emerging as an outspoken and articulate advocate for gay rights and women’s health issues. In this remarkable, landmark book, she has given the world a story that inspires hope and nourishes the spirit. Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Women Celebrity Health Emotions Heartfelt Physical Exercise Nutrition

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It is sad that such a beautiful person had to go through all of this. I am grateful that she has recovered and is able to share her story with us. I truly appreciate it that she took the time to read it to us herself, telling us her own story as it is meant to be heard.

Heartbreaking but insightful

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The book was raw, honest and heartbreaking but what I wasn’t expecting was that Portia is such a great storyteller.

I didn’t want this book to end.

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What an honest account of life behind the glamour of glossy pages, bright flashing lights, and the in-crowd!

Eye opening!

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The story is so relatable. I appreciate her honesty. It kept me enthralled until the end.

Heart breaking and honest

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I only took one star off because recovery is more difficult when you don’t have the money or connections.

It’s painful to read, but very telling.

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