Ellen: The Real Story of Ellen DeGeneres

by Kathleen Tracy

All Ellen DeGeneres wanted to be was funny. She kept her humor clean and steered clear of politics and social agendas, instead honing a quirky, off-center, mistrustful view of the world. I was coming home from kindergarten--well, they told me it was kindergarten. I found out later I had been working in a factory for ten years. It's good for a kid to know how to make gloves. If ever there was a more unlikely comic to become a symbol of controversy, it was Ellen DeGeneres. Throughout her career, she balanced her ever-growing success with her desire to keep her sexuality private. How that struggle affected her life and career and ultimately inspired her to come out of the closet, putting her life in the spotlight and her career at considerable risk, forms the emotional core of this biography. And in a broader sense, the controversy caused by Ellen's acknowledged sexuality is a reflection of America's own struggle with tolerance and acceptance. Ellen examines the repercussions still being felt by the comic as a direct result of her revelations and offers a glimpse of what her future may hold. It Ellen's colorful family history, which includes a swashbuckling pirate ancestor How her conservative father turned his back on Ellen when he learned she was gay The personal tragedy that became her greatest inspiration Her secret life in the gay bar scene during her stand-up days The women Ellen has loved Her life as a gay crusader

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, LGBT

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Janet Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Love Ellen so it didn’t feel like a waste of time to learn a bit more about her but the quality of the writing just wasn’t there.

[Jessica]

My incompetent 10th grade English teacher (I mentioned them in another review) wanted us to write summaries of biographies for some reason. I did not complete the project, I don't know if anyone did. What I did read of this book seemed to be a good portrayal of Ellen DeGeneres.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a waste of time. A few interesting points were made about her childhood and her inability to be molded into a mainstream career, but once she made it to Hollywood, the authors read like a tabloid. ah well.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Ellen before & love her more now, she is just so Funny, Sweet & Generous. This book tells all..well almost all:)

[☯Lilbookworm☮]

Pretty good book.