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All That Glitters
In the 1990s, Pearl Lowe was a singer in the hugely successful pop group Powder, a fashion model, and a friend to some of the most famous people in the world. A beautiful woman with a glamorous career and a family she adored, Pearl had it all. But soon she began taking an increasingly potent string of drugs and drinking to excess. As her family and body crumbled around her, Pearl realized she had to make a choice: confront the demons, get clean, and have her life back, or give up and slip further into addiction. Pearl made her choice: these days she lives with her children and husband in the British countryside and designs her own clothing line. Inspiring and riveting, this is the autobiography of a woman who almost failed to escape a world that is relentless in its destructiveness despite its scintillating appearance.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 4, 2013
Poor old Pearl Lowe... What a life she's had...
She wanted to be a pop star. She became a pop star... Only after she's fairly far down the path does she think she might want to have singing lessons.
She has a baby - who seems to be completely incidental to her life... There are pages when she's in the US/France/V Festival with all her mates when Daisy doesn't get a mention. I have friends who need weeks to plan a night out away from their children. Apparently if you have a full time nanny and a very indulgent mother - there's no need to think of your children.
She gets a pop star boyfriend - and then gets cross when nobody takes any notice of her when she turns up at everything he's involved in. Why is this surprising to pop star wives? I don't go to work with my husband... Go into meetings with him - and am upset when other people find this a bit odd.
She has another baby. This one also seems to be packed away in a cupboard for weeks at a time.
She starts taking drugs. Forgets she's in a band. Band folds... She stops taking drugs and starts "curling up with a really good book".
She forms another band... Starts taking drugs again. Forgets she's in that band.
Has another baby. See above...
Goes in rehab... Continues to hang out with all her party mates... goes back onto drugs.
Dyes some curtains - her mate says she quite likes them... Pearl Lowe is now an interior designer.
Back onto drugs again... an odd passage about Gavin Rossdale being Daisy's dad that doesn't really make sense (it would be nice to hear his side of the story - but he like the other members of Supergrass (who are never named) don't seem to have much to contribute to this book.)
Gives up drugs again... Another baby
Then she moves to Hampshire and goes on a "spiritual journey" - which must be a relief after the "rollercoaster journey" that she was unable to get off for years. Starts reading good books again.
Sketches a dress on the back of a cereal packet. She's now a dress designer.
The End.
She wanted to be a pop star. She became a pop star... Only after she's fairly far down the path does she think she might want to have singing lessons.
She has a baby - who seems to be completely incidental to her life... There are pages when she's in the US/France/V Festival with all her mates when Daisy doesn't get a mention. I have friends who need weeks to plan a night out away from their children. Apparently if you have a full time nanny and a very indulgent mother - there's no need to think of your children.
She gets a pop star boyfriend - and then gets cross when nobody takes any notice of her when she turns up at everything he's involved in. Why is this surprising to pop star wives? I don't go to work with my husband... Go into meetings with him - and am upset when other people find this a bit odd.
She has another baby. This one also seems to be packed away in a cupboard for weeks at a time.
She starts taking drugs. Forgets she's in a band. Band folds... She stops taking drugs and starts "curling up with a really good book".
She forms another band... Starts taking drugs again. Forgets she's in that band.
Has another baby. See above...
Goes in rehab... Continues to hang out with all her party mates... goes back onto drugs.
Dyes some curtains - her mate says she quite likes them... Pearl Lowe is now an interior designer.
Back onto drugs again... an odd passage about Gavin Rossdale being Daisy's dad that doesn't really make sense (it would be nice to hear his side of the story - but he like the other members of Supergrass (who are never named) don't seem to have much to contribute to this book.)
Gives up drugs again... Another baby
Then she moves to Hampshire and goes on a "spiritual journey" - which must be a relief after the "rollercoaster journey" that she was unable to get off for years. Starts reading good books again.
Sketches a dress on the back of a cereal packet. She's now a dress designer.
The End.
December 1, 2013
I read this because I used to have a girl crush on Pearl. She's so pretty! And has such great style! And designs these adorable vintage-style dresses and has an adorable house full of adorable antiques!
Yeah, well... the key words up there are "used to." After suffering through nearly three hundred pages of atrociously written, mind-numbingly repetitive drivel with a heaping dollop of name dropping on the side, I mostly just want to punch her in the face. Pearl is a spoiled rich girl who does spoiled rich girl things with her spoiled rich girl friends in her spoiled rich girl mansion while her spoiled rich girl children are raised by spoiled rich girl nannies... all on her quasi-famous husband's dime, of course. I'm giving it two stars because she does appear to have at least some awareness of how vapid and ungrateful she sounds, and even though I'm loathe to offer anything in the way of praise for this book, I must admit that her decision to finally get clean and stay that way is an admirable one (despite all of the embarrassingly cliche "spiritual journey" mumbo jumbo). It's a weak two stars, though... it's more like one and a half. Or one and a quarter. Call it whatever you like, just know that this book is a waste of time.
Sorry, Pearl. I still think those dresses are really cute, though.
Yeah, well... the key words up there are "used to." After suffering through nearly three hundred pages of atrociously written, mind-numbingly repetitive drivel with a heaping dollop of name dropping on the side, I mostly just want to punch her in the face. Pearl is a spoiled rich girl who does spoiled rich girl things with her spoiled rich girl friends in her spoiled rich girl mansion while her spoiled rich girl children are raised by spoiled rich girl nannies... all on her quasi-famous husband's dime, of course. I'm giving it two stars because she does appear to have at least some awareness of how vapid and ungrateful she sounds, and even though I'm loathe to offer anything in the way of praise for this book, I must admit that her decision to finally get clean and stay that way is an admirable one (despite all of the embarrassingly cliche "spiritual journey" mumbo jumbo). It's a weak two stars, though... it's more like one and a half. Or one and a quarter. Call it whatever you like, just know that this book is a waste of time.
Sorry, Pearl. I still think those dresses are really cute, though.
December 21, 2021
Pearl Lowe has often been touted as the British Courtney Love; a singer and musician in her own right, Lowe found fame with her band Powder in the 90's Britpop scene and married Danny Goffey, the drummer from Supergrass.
Surrounded by famous musicians and models in London, it's easy to see how the excesses of all that 90's label money can give you a party lifestyle where drugs are served on silver platters and no one bats an eyelid because everyone's flying high.
As many of these stories transpire, the ugly side of drug addiction soon takes hold and Lowe battles multiple relapses as she tries to navigate motherhood, an often absent partner as Supergrass tour the world, and unsavory 'friends' and drug dealers.
Whilst predictable, Lowe's account of heroin and cocaine addiction comes across as an honest one as she doesn't attempt to glamorize the darker parts. Always a fascinating read for anyone interested in the 90's Britpop era as many famous names are mentioned.
Surrounded by famous musicians and models in London, it's easy to see how the excesses of all that 90's label money can give you a party lifestyle where drugs are served on silver platters and no one bats an eyelid because everyone's flying high.
As many of these stories transpire, the ugly side of drug addiction soon takes hold and Lowe battles multiple relapses as she tries to navigate motherhood, an often absent partner as Supergrass tour the world, and unsavory 'friends' and drug dealers.
Whilst predictable, Lowe's account of heroin and cocaine addiction comes across as an honest one as she doesn't attempt to glamorize the darker parts. Always a fascinating read for anyone interested in the 90's Britpop era as many famous names are mentioned.
August 3, 2021
Decent addiction memoir, but not a patch on Cat Marnell's How To Murder Your Life or Elizabeth Wurtzel's More, Now, Again.
November 15, 2018
A curiously shallow variation on the 'my drug hell' memoir, though with just enough coverage of Britpop Camden's excesses to retain interest.
February 20, 2020
DNF--so much poor, poor me.....
July 15, 2008
A surprising read which was much better than I expected to be.
I have always disliked Pearl Lowe; not because I found her unpleasant, but because she was known pretty much purely for being a druggie. This book made me feel differently.
For those who haven't heard of Pearl, she was the lead singer of 90s band Powder, and is married to Danny Goffey of Supergrass. She also has a daughter, Daisy, to Gavin Rossdale- Gwen Stefani's husband.
I found the book brutally honest, harrowing and even painful at times. Pearl is unflinching in describing the extent she went to in the midst of her drug addiction that she even describes how she let her whole family down and neglected her children. One of the most shocking scenes, in my mind, is her snorting 20 lines of cocaine whilst 7 months pregnant.
Although I don't hate her anymore, I wouldn't say I love her either. It was a warm ending, but the amount of times she falls down and goes back to the drugs can be weary. However, this is reflective of a drug addict's life. Yet I found myself compelled, unable to put the book down, and willing for her to get better.
I admire how she can admit to her weaknesses and her guilt, and found her to have had a very interesting life.
It also doesn't hurt to have fun guessing who the unnamed celebrities are that take drugs with her!
I have always disliked Pearl Lowe; not because I found her unpleasant, but because she was known pretty much purely for being a druggie. This book made me feel differently.
For those who haven't heard of Pearl, she was the lead singer of 90s band Powder, and is married to Danny Goffey of Supergrass. She also has a daughter, Daisy, to Gavin Rossdale- Gwen Stefani's husband.
I found the book brutally honest, harrowing and even painful at times. Pearl is unflinching in describing the extent she went to in the midst of her drug addiction that she even describes how she let her whole family down and neglected her children. One of the most shocking scenes, in my mind, is her snorting 20 lines of cocaine whilst 7 months pregnant.
Although I don't hate her anymore, I wouldn't say I love her either. It was a warm ending, but the amount of times she falls down and goes back to the drugs can be weary. However, this is reflective of a drug addict's life. Yet I found myself compelled, unable to put the book down, and willing for her to get better.
I admire how she can admit to her weaknesses and her guilt, and found her to have had a very interesting life.
It also doesn't hurt to have fun guessing who the unnamed celebrities are that take drugs with her!
March 25, 2012
I found this to be an utterly gripping memoir. It is fascinating to read about people who have seemingly perfect lives, yet beneath the glossy surface, they are in turmoil. I disagree with the person who said this was "not particularly well-written"; throughout, Pearl Lowe is brutally honest about her addiction and the lengths she went to to try to satiate it. The constant cycle of recovery and relapse she describes is emotionally draining for the reader, and we are given a glimpse of the physical and mental exhaustion she went through as an addict.
Because of the shocking admissions Lowe makes in this book, it is possible to feel unable to sympathise with her, but she does not try to excuse her actions, only explain them. I think she gives an excellent and very clear insight into the nature, shame and torment of addiction. I feel her account is particularly important as so many people find it incomprehensible that people with so much going for them can be so miserable, and this memoir has helped to give a little more understanding about addiction for people at the higher end of society. Whether you still cast judgement on her is up to you, but to me it is clear that no one can feel worse about her past than herself.
Because of the shocking admissions Lowe makes in this book, it is possible to feel unable to sympathise with her, but she does not try to excuse her actions, only explain them. I think she gives an excellent and very clear insight into the nature, shame and torment of addiction. I feel her account is particularly important as so many people find it incomprehensible that people with so much going for them can be so miserable, and this memoir has helped to give a little more understanding about addiction for people at the higher end of society. Whether you still cast judgement on her is up to you, but to me it is clear that no one can feel worse about her past than herself.
June 26, 2013
A really interesting read and very heartfelt this books follows the highs and lows of 90's Britpop singer Pearl Lowe as she battles with drug addiction. It is pretty shocking at times and an horrific incident revealed in Pearl's earlier life makes you begin to understand how she has gotten so messed up. It is hard to accept though that she has three children and yet continues to abuse drugs. There is even one point where she starts hovering up cocaine at a party while she is fully pregnant. The most heart-wrenching is hearing about Daisy her eldest going through it all. It is also so frustrating as Pearl has so many opportunities come her way, chances that most people would kill for, but she falls back into her bad habits. While reading the book I felt a mixture of emotions, feeling sorry and frustrated for her due to the addiction but also being very angry that she can’t see what she is doing to her family and herself. I was gripped to find out how it all turned out.
October 5, 2024
Pearl Lowe has a patient and loving family. All those relapses would have driven many people away. I applaud her for not disguising the relapses. She relapsed more than three times before she committed. It's astounding that with all the excess, Pearl and Danny managed to keep themselves solvent enough to not become destitute. They sold two homes and moved out to the countryside. I was relieved that Pearl seized the opportunity to clarify her life by leaving London.
I first read this autobiography in the 2010s or perhaps earlier. It took a while before it reached the USA. Pearl Lowe reached my consciousness from reading the Daily Mail.
On March 9, 2024, Pearl Lowe will have accomplished 19 years of clean living. YEAAAAAA, PEARL!!!!
I first read this autobiography in the 2010s or perhaps earlier. It took a while before it reached the USA. Pearl Lowe reached my consciousness from reading the Daily Mail.
On March 9, 2024, Pearl Lowe will have accomplished 19 years of clean living. YEAAAAAA, PEARL!!!!
September 12, 2012
Read this just for interest. I was once into the music and culture of the bands this woman and her husband belonged to, and so I understand something of that world. Reading this made me thankful for God's grace; I was never even close to being famous and I never went far down that path of destruction.
Was OK.
Was OK.
February 13, 2016
A re-read after watching her Sali Hughes interview on YouTube recently. I adore this lady's style and have so much respect for the life she has created after a lot of really dark moments. Reading the book would give great hope to any addict I would imagine, or is generally just a really good autobiographical read about a very popular time in British pop culture that anyone would thoroughly enjoy.
December 2, 2009
I actually read this in my lunch breaks whilst on work experience at a primary school, however it is quite a good book and held my attention well. Can be a bit repetitive with the them of drugs and being a mother, but its still very good.
February 24, 2013
I thought this was in the main honest at the very least. Not a likeable character and a lot of name dropping but light hearted trash, which I was looking for from this book. Can't fault it for that then?! Dickens she is not...
January 4, 2014
I like Pearl Lowe's style of clothing but thats about it. I got bored so I have put it down. Not sure if it is worth finishing. I don't think there will be any surprises or life changing wisdom to be gained from this book. Giving it two stars for the effort.
April 25, 2008
Poor little rich girl. Found the self indulgence and self pity tiresome and irking. But then that's addicts for ya.
I wish her all the best for her continued sobriety.
I wish her all the best for her continued sobriety.
January 24, 2010
Total self-indulgent tosh from an attention-seeking stereotype! Hard to even give it one star!
June 29, 2015
Write a review...Boring despite the supposed rock and rollness of it all. Not particularly well written
June 20, 2012
I thought it was a bit simplistic when I read it, but having finished it I think that was deliberate and necessary for such a difficult and personal subject.
September 4, 2012
Loved this book
August 13, 2014
What Erica said ⬇️
April 3, 2009
Now I know where Daisy Lowe comes from.
December 21, 2012
Far be it from me to trivialise addiction, but wow...
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews