Search - A Paper Life (Audio CD) (Abridged)

Listened to this abridged version of A Paper Life by Tatum O'Neal. She is both annoying and sympathetic. She discussses her very difficult childhood (Ryan O'Neal is a pyschopathic rage-aholic); her mother is an alcoholic and drug addict and her ex-husband, John McEnroe is a controlling bully. Her father was very jealous of her Academy Award and made her life basically a living hell. At the age of 14, Tatum was traveling to Europe by herself - no school - doing drugs, having sex - no discipline whatsoever. Her family may be the most dysfunctional family I've ever read about.

However, while you do feel sympathy for, she also is not very likeable. She whines constantly about her life and while she does own up to her very horrible drug addiction, you feel that she may start to shoot heroin again any day.

I think that listening to the abridged version of this book cuts out too much information. I'd suggest reading it or looking for the unabridged recording.

Tatum does not hide the truth as to her drug abuse and family abuse as she grows up.

I've always had a facination with Tatum- she was born one year exactly after me.
I listened to this book, and got so many tears in my eyes, I had to bring the CD into the house to listen to, so I wouldn't crash the car!
She has lived an incredible life.
She survived all of this and came out on top.
I always wonder how a human body can survive all the drugs that people take-and I feel sorry for their hollow lives. To survive all the abuse she took is beyond anything I can comprehend.
It also showed me that celebrities need to have more to their lives than their acting- Tatum talks about Why I'm Still Alive. It doesn't get spiritual, but it's a good thing to remind people.
It is a good read- and to listen to it, you get to listen to her husky voice, which to me was quite soothing!