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The First Lady
A successful British model, this book tells the candid life story of April Ashley, who at the peak of her fame in 1961, was outed by the British press as a transsexual.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 21, 2013
The foundations of April's life make a great read. When she discusses her operation, feelings towards her family and the whole world press issue surrounding her very public and disturbing divorce, this is a great read. Unfortunately a lot of this book seems to be name dropping and fluff. When April has a focus for her voice, an emotionally charged issue to discuss, she writes well and interestingly, but with the rest there is no flow...leaving the majority of this book seriously needing some editorial input. I also found in some parts unconvinced that I actually liked April. I feel deeply for her cause, and think that she was a brave woman and made a great stand for how future transsexuals could live their lives. However, I'm not even sure April herself did what she did selflessly. I almost got the feeling that she didn't really care for the cause, only her part in it. I also felt that she lived her life off others generosity, and although she worked hard in some ventures, seemed to only do so with great benefit to herself. I could have got this wrong as this biography hasnt made me feel connected to the person behind it, but then judging the book and not the person I feel it's failed to do its job.
January 16, 2026
I originally bought this book as research for my detective novel 'Lies and Dolls', and even though the deadline made me resort to drawing on my internet-derived notes on her life, the book stayed on my shelf, admonishing me for not taking the time to read it. And so I did.
This is one of the best (auto)biographies I've ever read. It's a roller-coaster ride of mad anecdotes and shameless namedropping, of hardship and decadence, of someone who grapples with their identity and yet knows themself better than anyone.
The great thing about it is there's no filter. The best autobiographies betray the truth about the writer in every sentence, for good or bad, and it's certainly the case here. Make no mistake, there is a lot of self-awareness here, but every so often a sentence escapes that says much more about April than she's telling us that moment.
It's not available in the shops because of a copyright dispute (not the reason you would expect, as there's any number of celebrities that might find the contents defamatory) but do search it out. I got mine on ebay. It's certainly worth your time.
This is one of the best (auto)biographies I've ever read. It's a roller-coaster ride of mad anecdotes and shameless namedropping, of hardship and decadence, of someone who grapples with their identity and yet knows themself better than anyone.
The great thing about it is there's no filter. The best autobiographies betray the truth about the writer in every sentence, for good or bad, and it's certainly the case here. Make no mistake, there is a lot of self-awareness here, but every so often a sentence escapes that says much more about April than she's telling us that moment.
It's not available in the shops because of a copyright dispute (not the reason you would expect, as there's any number of celebrities that might find the contents defamatory) but do search it out. I got mine on ebay. It's certainly worth your time.
February 17, 2023
Portrait of a lady April Ashley MBE
Died 27 December 2021.
With regards to the book this came out in 2006 and with it co-written by Douglas Thompson carries a lot of terms that wouldn't be used in 2022 but these are April's words and memories and recollections.
She made history and stands out for being such a graceful woman.
I wish the book had been written later when Ashley had been received for her MBE.
My only negative about the book is that with some of the places mentioned or terms footnotes would be needed as so many of these terms or descriptions of places wouldn't exist now and modern readers may be lost in the writing.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2...
Died 27 December 2021.
With regards to the book this came out in 2006 and with it co-written by Douglas Thompson carries a lot of terms that wouldn't be used in 2022 but these are April's words and memories and recollections.
She made history and stands out for being such a graceful woman.
I wish the book had been written later when Ashley had been received for her MBE.
My only negative about the book is that with some of the places mentioned or terms footnotes would be needed as so many of these terms or descriptions of places wouldn't exist now and modern readers may be lost in the writing.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2...
March 25, 2020
Enjoyable
January 12, 2024
April Ashley, what a dish!
August 31, 2011
Unfortunately this book was withdrawn from sale and pulped on orders of the publisher as it contained a large amount of plagirised material, duplicated completely from the book "April Ashley's Odyssey" by April Ashley and Duncan Fallowell. It was a missed opportunity to add something to April's life and bring things up-to-date.
December 20, 2014
This book annoyed me so much. Just another kiss and tell. I would question some of the content and do not hold April Ashley with as much regard as I previously did.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews