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Confessions of a Bi-Polar Mardi Gras Queen
Marie Etienne's first memoir, STORKBITES, was praised by the San Francisco Chronicle Book Review as a compelling memoir . . . Etienne's writing is fresh; her epiphany is clear, her ending is powerful and satisfying. Now she returns with a collection of outrageous true stories that are fast-paced, heartfelt, and brutally honest.
CONFESSIONS OF A BI-POLAR MARDI GRAS QUEEN is filled with thematically connected stories that swing between hilarity and devastation. One of nine children growing up in a well-to-do family in Southern Louisiana, Marie Etienne spent decades risking everything in her search for happiness, sanity, and love. As an adult, her increasingly erratic behavior mirrored the drama of her upbringing and took its toll on her two sons.
At 43, recently diagnosed as bi-polar and on the brink of suicide, her last-ditch hope was to come to terms with her deep-rooted feelings of fear, shame, and resentment by facing head-on who she really was, who she wanted to be, and what she was willing to do to make her life worth living.
Etienne explores the themes of love versus lust, the legacy of abuse and mental illness, the impact of murder and suicide among her siblings, and the redemptive powers of faith, forgiveness, and courage. Marie Etienne has written a book that reveals the unstoppable drive of a woman determined to forge her own path through the world.
CONFESSIONS OF A BI-POLAR MARDI GRAS QUEEN is filled with thematically connected stories that swing between hilarity and devastation. One of nine children growing up in a well-to-do family in Southern Louisiana, Marie Etienne spent decades risking everything in her search for happiness, sanity, and love. As an adult, her increasingly erratic behavior mirrored the drama of her upbringing and took its toll on her two sons.
At 43, recently diagnosed as bi-polar and on the brink of suicide, her last-ditch hope was to come to terms with her deep-rooted feelings of fear, shame, and resentment by facing head-on who she really was, who she wanted to be, and what she was willing to do to make her life worth living.
Etienne explores the themes of love versus lust, the legacy of abuse and mental illness, the impact of murder and suicide among her siblings, and the redemptive powers of faith, forgiveness, and courage. Marie Etienne has written a book that reveals the unstoppable drive of a woman determined to forge her own path through the world.
336 pages
First published February 16, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 6, 2012
I loved this book!
Her self depreciating humor and her honesty is painful at times to witness, but at other times I found myself nodding my acknowledgement to her words and stories.
For myself, a forty nine year old woman, who has only within the last year made the conscious choice to not let her childhood own her anymore, I recognize Marie's struggles to also release all of her issues in her forties.
This is a book of razor sharp cuts, that nick both the meat and bones of being a child abuse survivor and the long term effects of that, how we fare in the world.
It is not always (mostly not) with a healthy and gentle embrace that we do this.
Often we end up crushing ourselves and others along the way.
This is not a light hearted read, but is full or humor and her personal observations.
It is worth any ones time to read and if by chance you have survived a childhood that you have worked hard to put behind you, perhaps you will see pieces you know of yourself here.
Her self depreciating humor and her honesty is painful at times to witness, but at other times I found myself nodding my acknowledgement to her words and stories.
For myself, a forty nine year old woman, who has only within the last year made the conscious choice to not let her childhood own her anymore, I recognize Marie's struggles to also release all of her issues in her forties.
This is a book of razor sharp cuts, that nick both the meat and bones of being a child abuse survivor and the long term effects of that, how we fare in the world.
It is not always (mostly not) with a healthy and gentle embrace that we do this.
Often we end up crushing ourselves and others along the way.
This is not a light hearted read, but is full or humor and her personal observations.
It is worth any ones time to read and if by chance you have survived a childhood that you have worked hard to put behind you, perhaps you will see pieces you know of yourself here.
June 19, 2009
The best part of this book was the title and the book jacket. I felt like I was reading a diary of that drunk lady at a party who thinks all of their stories around wonderfully fantastic when really they are a yawn.
December 15, 2009
The references used in the book were mostly know by me since I live in Lafayette - which was really cool. Pretty good and quick read.
December 4, 2020
Marie Etienne returns with an emotionally charged memoir. This time, she’s sharing something very personal: mental illness. In vignettes ranging from hilarious to downright sad, Marie talks frankly about being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Join her as she details the lowest points in her life and how she climbed out of the abyss into the light of day. Her journey is one you can relate to and make your own changes to be the person you want to be.
Confessions of A Bi-Polar Mardi Gras Queen is an uplifting memoir. You may not believe me at first when you read what Marie has gone through in her life. Sure, she’s bipolar and was suicidal at one point, but through her sheer determination, Marie Etienne inspires others dealing with mental illness. Her analogy of the rabbit seeking happiness by chasing her own tail is insightful and shows how far she’s come. If you’re struggling with mental illness, this book is for you. If love reading memoirs, this book is for you. If you want to laugh, cry, scream out in frustration, be inspired to change your life, read Confessions of A Bi-Polar Mardi Gras Queen. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I read this on Kindle Unlimited CA.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Confessions of A Bi-Polar Mardi Gras Queen is an uplifting memoir. You may not believe me at first when you read what Marie has gone through in her life. Sure, she’s bipolar and was suicidal at one point, but through her sheer determination, Marie Etienne inspires others dealing with mental illness. Her analogy of the rabbit seeking happiness by chasing her own tail is insightful and shows how far she’s come. If you’re struggling with mental illness, this book is for you. If love reading memoirs, this book is for you. If you want to laugh, cry, scream out in frustration, be inspired to change your life, read Confessions of A Bi-Polar Mardi Gras Queen. Highly recommend!
Disclaimer: I read this on Kindle Unlimited CA.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
May 19, 2020
Inspiring!
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading how Marie worked through her problems. I think she is an incredibly brave women for expressing her innermost thoughts and feelings. It is a perfect reminder that everyone no matter how polished they appear on the outside, they could be falling apart inside. I left the book wanting to learn more about Marie so I’m going to download Storkbites immediately. Marie is a fantastic writer I love her spirit and her constant efforts for personal growth. A+++++++
I really enjoyed reading this book. I enjoyed reading how Marie worked through her problems. I think she is an incredibly brave women for expressing her innermost thoughts and feelings. It is a perfect reminder that everyone no matter how polished they appear on the outside, they could be falling apart inside. I left the book wanting to learn more about Marie so I’m going to download Storkbites immediately. Marie is a fantastic writer I love her spirit and her constant efforts for personal growth. A+++++++
November 2, 2020
"Marie Etienne has not lived an ordinary life, as the title of her second memoir suggests. Born into a wealthy family, she endured the untimely deaths of her alcoholic parents, the murder and suicide of two brothers, her own severe depression and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, Etienne has come back from the abyss and is anxious to help others through her inspirational stories of survival." -- Karen Jones of Publishers Weekly Show Daily, May 2008
October 24, 2022
I could not develop any empathy for this character.
Dysfunctional family? Absolutely! But there is dysfunction of some sort in most families. The author came across as narcissistic and whiny. I grew up in a family of 13, poor as church mice and dysfunctional. I choose not to focus on the sadness and hardships.
Dysfunctional family? Absolutely! But there is dysfunction of some sort in most families. The author came across as narcissistic and whiny. I grew up in a family of 13, poor as church mice and dysfunctional. I choose not to focus on the sadness and hardships.
October 27, 2019
Love Marie’s Sense of humor
I love the way her humor & personality shines through in her writing. And her courage to not only self reflect, but to put it out there for us all to read. You rock Marie!
I love the way her humor & personality shines through in her writing. And her courage to not only self reflect, but to put it out there for us all to read. You rock Marie!
June 12, 2021
It was hard for me to finish this book. I did not like the author. The writing style was fine, but generally with a memoir I would like to find the author relatable or enjoyable, at least. I picked up this book at random, but going forward I would not choose anything else by this writer.
May 2, 2020
Great follow up to her first book
Witty, heartbreaking at times but very honest. Enjoyed as much as her first book, great writing, easy read, and hopeful in the end.
Witty, heartbreaking at times but very honest. Enjoyed as much as her first book, great writing, easy read, and hopeful in the end.
February 24, 2011
This one is probably a 2.5 star book. Confessions doesn't have the raw edge of Storkbites. It is like a sterile journal. Like when reality stars realize the camera is on and they don't want to make a fool of themselves. It seemed she was trying too hard to say something poignant and I missed the more storytelling feel of Storkbites.
April 8, 2019
Throughly enjoyed this book! Grabbed it last minute off of the shelf at the library and once I started I could not wait to finish. I like how it tells a personal story all while keeping you engrossed like a Hollywood movie. I felt a connection on a personal level and wanted to jump in the story myself to talk to the characters. Will definitely have to read StorkBites!
February 16, 2015
life lessons
Who would have thought Marie could teach us so many life lessons after having such a difficult childhood but she did and I'm so moved by this book! when is her next book?
Who would have thought Marie could teach us so many life lessons after having such a difficult childhood but she did and I'm so moved by this book! when is her next book?
January 1, 2023
Decent book. The Mardi Gras dress was referenced maybe once or twice. It was sort of bizarre, actually. The writer seems like she struggles with low self esteem, but I admired her willingness to be open with her struggles.
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August 19, 2008Review first posted at Lincoln Heights Literary Society
August 22, 2009
True stories. Some make you laugh and some make your cringe. Love southern authors.
May 9, 2010
A memoir of short stories about growing up in the South, living a slightly wild life, and writing. It was just eh. Nothing good, nothing bad.
February 11, 2013
This book was mediocre. It started out ok but it was just all over the place. Tiny chapters that weren't related to each other at all and there seemed no point to the story.
April 19, 2014
To slow to progress. I abandoned it long ago.
September 11, 2014
Rant after Rant not my style.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews