(Borrowed from a friend) I have a lot more respect and sympathy for Liza Minnelli after reading this memoir, "as told to Michael Feinstein with Josh Getlin and Heidi Evans." (The writing process must have been interesting. I suspect Liza would have long tape-recored conversations with the singer and cabaret artist Feinstein, her best friend. Then Getlin and Evans would fashion the transcribed talks into the book.) Regardless of how the book was written, it does come across as Minnelli speaking to the reader like a close chum (hence the title.) In the latter part of her career, she was reported to be frequently drunk, high, in and out of rehab and detox programs (not just Betty Ford), and involved in a scandalous fourth marriage to a crook who stole almost all of her money. She was repeating the pattern of her famous mother Judy Garland who succumbed to her various addictions at 47.
Here Liza explains, but doesn't justify, her numerous falls from grace with humor and humility, also the tremendous highs of performing live. Her addiction was inherited from her mom and so was her enormous talent. But she has overcome the former and tried to use the latter as best she can. I've seen her live twice on Broadway in her concerts Minnelli on Minnelli and Liza at the Palace. Both were electric experiences. She also details her many love affairs with everyone from Mikhail Baryshnikov to Ben Vereen. The book concluded with a furious backstage account of her wheelchair appearance to the 2022 Oscars. Apparently according to Liza, it was all Lady Gaga's fault. Maybe. A fast read from a fabulous lady I understand better now.
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