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Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse
Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse
Author: Phyllis Diller, Richard Buskin
From housewife to humorist, Phyllis Diller has been making millions laugh for five decades with her groundbreaking comedy. Now the laughter continues with her uproarious autobiography. — Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse recounts the story of how, against all odds, Phyllis Diller became America's first successful and best-loved female stand...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781585423965
ISBN-10: 1585423963
Publication Date: 2/17/2005
Pages: 288
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 11

3.5 stars, based on 11 ratings
Publisher: Tarcher
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

Bast avatar reviewed Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
An eye-opening memoir from a truly interesting woman. I never realised her life was so hard until I read this book.
noisynora avatar reviewed Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse on + 130 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed the first third of this book. It was very interesting to me how she evolved into herself (upbringing, school, parents, etc.)

The second third of the book dragged a bit - I think it was both because she name-dropped quite a lot (and I wasn't really sure to whom she was referring all the time - blame it on a generation gap) as well as her constant need to congratulate herself (if I read the phrase "I was hot" once I read it 30 times.)

The last section was a bit of a downer as well . . . I don't want to be a spoiler, but let's just say that she was subject to quite a few rocky relationships and abuses in this book - all of which emotionally damaged her. However, her "show must go on" attitude I felt was extremist (she finally meets the love of her life, they spend wonderful time together, only to have him die - basically at the airport - and she gets on the plane to do a scheduled booking after he gets to the hospital, only to call 24 hrs later to find out he's dead . . . and doesn't cancel the rest of her trip . . . for the love of her life??) I don't know - it just left me wondering about all of the times she was out trying to make it in clubs at 2:30 in the morning - where were her kids? With her dysfunctional family? That part kind of bothered me and I think overshadowed some of the successes in the story.

In summary, I'm glad I read it - funny lady, interesting life, quick read - but it did leave me puzzled as to how she handled her interpersonal relationships. I guess I expected more from someone who had been through so much herself.
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Readnmachine avatar reviewed Like a Lampshade in a Whorehouse on + 1435 more book reviews
Okay celebrity bio. Interesting that Diller, who wrote most of her own material and who once worked writing advertising copy, should need a ghost-writer to produce this breezy memoir.


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