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Diary of a Mad Diva
Following up the phenomenal success of her headline-making New York Times bestseller I Hate Everyone...Starting With Me, the unstoppable Joan Rivers is at it again.
When her daughter Melissa gives her a diary for Christmas, at first Joan is horrified—who the hell does Melissa think she is? That fat pig, Bridget Jones? But as Joan, being both beautiful and introspective, begins to record her day-to-day musings, she realizes she has a lot to say.
About everything. And everyone, God help them.
The result? A no-holds-barred, delightfully vicious and always hilarious look at the everyday life of the ultimate diva. Follow Joan on a family vacation in Mexico and on trips between New York and Los Angeles where she mingles with the stars, never missing a beat as she delivers blistering critiques on current events, and excoriating insights about life, pop culture, and celebrities (from A to D list), all in her relentlessly funny signature style.
This is the Diary of a Mad Diva. For the first time in a century, a diary by someone that’s actually worth reading.
When her daughter Melissa gives her a diary for Christmas, at first Joan is horrified—who the hell does Melissa think she is? That fat pig, Bridget Jones? But as Joan, being both beautiful and introspective, begins to record her day-to-day musings, she realizes she has a lot to say.
About everything. And everyone, God help them.
The result? A no-holds-barred, delightfully vicious and always hilarious look at the everyday life of the ultimate diva. Follow Joan on a family vacation in Mexico and on trips between New York and Los Angeles where she mingles with the stars, never missing a beat as she delivers blistering critiques on current events, and excoriating insights about life, pop culture, and celebrities (from A to D list), all in her relentlessly funny signature style.
This is the Diary of a Mad Diva. For the first time in a century, a diary by someone that’s actually worth reading.
300 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2014
246 people are currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
Joan Rivers
39 books129 followersJoan Rivers (born Joan Sandra Molinsky) was an American comedian, actress, talk show host, businesswoman, and celebrity. She was known for her brash manner and loud, raspy voice with a heavy metropolitan New York accent. Rivers was the National Chairwoman of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is a board member of God's Love We Deliver. Like the ground-breaking Phyllis Diller, Rivers' act relied heavily on poking fun at herself. A typical Rivers joke about her unattractiveness: "I used to stand by the side of the road with a sign: 'Last girl before freeway.'"
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January 12, 2015Who knows when (or if) I'll ever get around to reading this one, but the dedication alone is worth adding it to the list ; )
December 30, 2022
“Red-carpet style is like herpes: You either have it or you don’t.”Joan was hilarious, and this book is very her, it made me laugh out loud a lot. If you’re a fan of her signature ultra snarky/crass sense of humor, definitely give this a try, it’s a consistently funny read! But don’t bother with it if your wokeness interferes with your ability to take a joke—Joan was many things, but PC definitely wasn’t one of them.
September 28, 2015
Not one laugh-out-loud moment,I guess I am not the right audience for this book. Tired jokes and I found most of the humor to be just mean spirited. Not for me.
July 9, 2024
Dear Diary, 3.5 stars. It’s Joan Rivers! Not for the easily offended.
October 3, 2016
"Dear Diary:
This diary is my Christmas gift from Melissa [her daughter] and Cooper [her grandson] and I'm more disappointed than I was on my wedding night when I found that Edgar [her 2nd husband] was half Chinese---and not the good half"
Joan Rivers...esa comediante reina del stand up, pionera en preguntar quien vestía a los asistentes de una alfombra roja, increiblemente graciosa e irreverente, y que si hubiera aparecido por primera vez en la actualidad no habría tenido éxito o habría sido mayormente odiada. Tuvo un tipo de humor que ni por equivocación es políticamente correcto, hacia mofa de latinos, alemanes, franceses, homosexuales, heterosexuales, gordos, flacos, negros, blancos, judios, mormones, cristianos, no natos, ancianos, su agente, su hija, su difunto esposo, y ella misma, por sólo mencionar algunos de los tópicos. Y aun así personas de las que se burló la admiraban y querían.
Decir que Rivers fue una de mis comediantes favoritas sería quedarme corta, generalmente yo no disfruto el humor tan ácido que ella manejaba pero me era imposible resistirme a la manera en que hablaba ,como construía la broma y lo jodidamente díficil que era ofendersepor cosas que fácilmente era ofensivas. Y este libro (queno entiendo porque esta clasificado como no ficción cuando la misma descripción dice que no se puede asegurar que sea real lo escrito, además de que Joan fallecio en Septiembre de 2014, año que esta narrando, y el libro cierra con el 31 de diciembre de 2014) es esa esencia, es Rivers leída, no hay profundida, no hay mensaje ni enseñanza, simplemente te hace pasar un buen rato.
En este diario vemos el "día a día" de Rivers durante el 2014, la vemos disfrazarse, viajar, y odiar todo y a todos,incluyendo odiar las cosas que le gustaban, no hay mas que decir, porque el "encanto" de este libro esta en el humor de la narradora, y para mi, tanto leído como en el stand up, un chiste que se lee/escucha varias veces pierde su gracia (así que no pondré ningun otro aquí),sólo dirpeque el libro vale la pena desde la dedicatoria. El cierre me gusto bastante, tras una queja al inicio por haber recibido diario, cerramos con Joan quejándose nuevamente de recibir un diario e imaginando que asesinaba a Kathy Griffin para que el siguiente año ella y su hija Melissa hicieran el conteo de año nuevo.
Algo en lo que haré hincapié es si te ofendes facilmente, no leas este libro, en serio, no lo leas, sino te gusta el humor obsceno, tampoco leas el libro, y sino te gusta el stand up, no leas este libro.
This diary is my Christmas gift from Melissa [her daughter] and Cooper [her grandson] and I'm more disappointed than I was on my wedding night when I found that Edgar [her 2nd husband] was half Chinese---and not the good half"
Joan Rivers...esa comediante reina del stand up, pionera en preguntar quien vestía a los asistentes de una alfombra roja, increiblemente graciosa e irreverente, y que si hubiera aparecido por primera vez en la actualidad no habría tenido éxito o habría sido mayormente odiada. Tuvo un tipo de humor que ni por equivocación es políticamente correcto, hacia mofa de latinos, alemanes, franceses, homosexuales, heterosexuales, gordos, flacos, negros, blancos, judios, mormones, cristianos, no natos, ancianos, su agente, su hija, su difunto esposo, y ella misma, por sólo mencionar algunos de los tópicos. Y aun así personas de las que se burló la admiraban y querían.
Decir que Rivers fue una de mis comediantes favoritas sería quedarme corta, generalmente yo no disfruto el humor tan ácido que ella manejaba pero me era imposible resistirme a la manera en que hablaba ,como construía la broma y lo jodidamente díficil que era ofendersepor cosas que fácilmente era ofensivas. Y este libro (queno entiendo porque esta clasificado como no ficción cuando la misma descripción dice que no se puede asegurar que sea real lo escrito, además de que Joan fallecio en Septiembre de 2014, año que esta narrando, y el libro cierra con el 31 de diciembre de 2014) es esa esencia, es Rivers leída, no hay profundida, no hay mensaje ni enseñanza, simplemente te hace pasar un buen rato.
En este diario vemos el "día a día" de Rivers durante el 2014, la vemos disfrazarse, viajar, y odiar todo y a todos,incluyendo odiar las cosas que le gustaban, no hay mas que decir, porque el "encanto" de este libro esta en el humor de la narradora, y para mi, tanto leído como en el stand up, un chiste que se lee/escucha varias veces pierde su gracia (así que no pondré ningun otro aquí),sólo dirpeque el libro vale la pena desde la dedicatoria. El cierre me gusto bastante, tras una queja al inicio por haber recibido diario, cerramos con Joan quejándose nuevamente de recibir un diario e imaginando que asesinaba a Kathy Griffin para que el siguiente año ella y su hija Melissa hicieran el conteo de año nuevo.
Algo en lo que haré hincapié es si te ofendes facilmente, no leas este libro, en serio, no lo leas, sino te gusta el humor obsceno, tampoco leas el libro, y sino te gusta el stand up, no leas este libro.
October 29, 2014
Okay, I seriously tried to make it to the 50 page rule but I just can't take it anymore. This is the worst book I have ever tried to read. Vulgar profanity, brutal character defamation, disrespectful statements and sexual innuendos are not and never have been funny. I don't recommend this book to anyone. It is the biggest waste of money I have ever spent on a book.
February 21, 2015
This book was originally meant for my wife as a Valentines present, however it arrived way to late for that particular day so she ended up with the latest cd from Paulo Nuttini which she has been playing a lot recently.
SO lets return to Mrs Rivers diary of 2014, it description on the duskjacket says the following:
Anais Nin, Anne Frank and Sylvia Plath wrote the world's most famous diaries. And where are they today? DEAD. But the world's other great diarist, Joan Rivers is alive and kicking. And Complaining. I am quite sure that this particular bit would tickle Joan Rivers sense of wicked humour.
This book should NOT be read by those of a sensitive character and a lack of OTT and obscene sense of humour. As Rivers has an opinion about anybody, anything and herself in a most funny way.
the book is set up as a diary and starts on the 1st of January 2014 and ends on the 31st of December 2014 with the hope that Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper are blown of a building due to a Dr. Phil fart and that she and Melissa will be hosting the New Years countdown in 2015. We all know by now how unlikely that will be unless Melissa does dig up her mum and does present it anyway. But according to Joan herself Melissa was ready for her death for years as she did have a shovel in the booth of her car in case Joan would keel over.
This book is in essence a goodbye of this little feisty lady whose brand of humour was loved by a lot of people and hated by a similar amount of people.
I loved her wickedness and snide remarks about anything and anybody, nobody was safe from her remarks including her own person. The only person who never gets any stick at all is her grandson Cooper, the love for him cannot be mistaken in this diary. SHe was a great grandmum, I ma quite sure.
Anybody insulted by her writing should just understand that her brand of humour is not everybody his or her cup of tea, stop bitching and read something else as nobody is forcing you to read her scriptures.
It is a great thing to read during this season of all those award shows especially as she is no longer around to cover them. For me as a man she made these red carpets funny to watch and I shall miss he wickedness and sharp observations.
RIP Joan Rivers.
SO lets return to Mrs Rivers diary of 2014, it description on the duskjacket says the following:
Anais Nin, Anne Frank and Sylvia Plath wrote the world's most famous diaries. And where are they today? DEAD. But the world's other great diarist, Joan Rivers is alive and kicking. And Complaining. I am quite sure that this particular bit would tickle Joan Rivers sense of wicked humour.
This book should NOT be read by those of a sensitive character and a lack of OTT and obscene sense of humour. As Rivers has an opinion about anybody, anything and herself in a most funny way.
the book is set up as a diary and starts on the 1st of January 2014 and ends on the 31st of December 2014 with the hope that Kathy Griffin and Anderson Cooper are blown of a building due to a Dr. Phil fart and that she and Melissa will be hosting the New Years countdown in 2015. We all know by now how unlikely that will be unless Melissa does dig up her mum and does present it anyway. But according to Joan herself Melissa was ready for her death for years as she did have a shovel in the booth of her car in case Joan would keel over.
This book is in essence a goodbye of this little feisty lady whose brand of humour was loved by a lot of people and hated by a similar amount of people.
I loved her wickedness and snide remarks about anything and anybody, nobody was safe from her remarks including her own person. The only person who never gets any stick at all is her grandson Cooper, the love for him cannot be mistaken in this diary. SHe was a great grandmum, I ma quite sure.
Anybody insulted by her writing should just understand that her brand of humour is not everybody his or her cup of tea, stop bitching and read something else as nobody is forcing you to read her scriptures.
It is a great thing to read during this season of all those award shows especially as she is no longer around to cover them. For me as a man she made these red carpets funny to watch and I shall miss he wickedness and sharp observations.
RIP Joan Rivers.
July 5, 2014
I had a lot of fun reading Joan Rivers' "Diary Of A Mad Diva," because I like Joan Rivers and her humour. Her comedy has always been irreverent, and this book clearly represents her brand. Nothing and no one is spared, even Anne Frank and Heller Keller. Yes, I know making fun of those two can be really bad taste, but sometimes we just need to laugh at everything and not take things too seriously. In all fairness, she would be the first one to laugh at herself and poke at her worst traits: her numerous plastic surgeries, for example. I do understand how some people may dislike this book, though. If you think Joan is not funny, then I can't even fathom why you would read this book. But if you have liked her, as I have, then there's plenty of things to enjoy here. You go with your bad self, Joan!
http://luhathoughts.blogspot.com/2014...
http://luhathoughts.blogspot.com/2014...
July 9, 2014
Extremely funny book!!! Joan at her best. I love that she is not politically correct. She has no sacred cows she talks about everything and anything in this great book. The style is a daily dairy of how she may or may not recall the day. I highly recommend this comedy book to all who have a good sense of humor. If you are easily offended then this is not a book for you. My thought is I don't have to laugh at every joke but I like to laugh at most of her jokes.
Remember Joan is 80 now she will probably only write 20 more books before she turns a hundred.
Remember Joan is 80 now she will probably only write 20 more books before she turns a hundred.
September 6, 2014
I read the book a few weeks ago and was entertained for the night. While some of the humor pressed uncomfortable boundaries, I would push past the things I didn't find particularly funny until I found a "day" in her life that made me smile at her keen observations. Isn't life like that, though? Our years are filled with all different things, like a smorgasbord that we can pick and choose, and return to savor. I really liked Joan Rivers. Reading her book, was like a window into her fast paced world. The daily observations dragged me though her hectic schedule, the things that ticked her off, and the people she loved. I always knew I liked her. After all, she has been in my living room dozens of times throughout my life from the time I was a little girl. Joan Rivers was only a year older than my mother. I remember rooting for her when she bravely tried to restart her life after it was shattered by the loss of her husband and her career at the same time. I watched as she reinvented herself in a hostile male dominated environment, creating a whole new industry of red carpet interviewers. It's hard to start over when you're looking at the backside of fifty, competing with fresh young faces. I admired that she always included her daughter, sharing her success and making it a family affair. It's hard to work with family, and they were gracious to each other. Lastly, I bless her for showing that woman can be important, productive, beautiful, and useful in our youth obsessed society. Joan Rivers was a first class act, who lived by her own example. While she did sometimes say something that made me squirm,(Yes, the Ann Frank parts were not my favorite), she was groundbreaking in her humor. So, if I had so suffer with one or two jokes that didn't work, the rest was worth it.
August 15, 2015
I saw the documentary, A Piece of Work, about Joan Rivers and I really enjoyed it, so decided to give her last book a chance. This format doesn't showcase her talent for balancing the crudity of her humor with her heart. Without audience feedback, her jokes just keep pushing the edge of the acceptable until it moves beyond funny into ridiculously offensive. It's disappointing because she was a performer with enormous talent and the reader really doesn't get the full measure of that in this book.
Watch A Piece of Work if you're still willing to give Joan Rivers a chance after this disaster of a book.
Watch A Piece of Work if you're still willing to give Joan Rivers a chance after this disaster of a book.
December 26, 2015
Don't buy this book. Don't even borrow this book from the library. Don't even read this review. I bought this when Joan Rivers passed away. I really loved her and still think she is a comedic pioneer. But, damn, this book is racist, sexist, homophobic, mean, classist, hateful. . . . That's not even the worst and that's pretty bad. It's NOT funny. I can forgive almost anything said if it's truly funny but the jokes here were not. I long ago decided that I would not buy anymore books by celebrities because they are usually hugely disappointing and then I end up disliking the celebrity. I should have stuck to my rule. It's not funny!!!!
July 9, 2019
I LOVE her! Fearless b*tch, no one like her!
August 31, 2014
Its better to be absolutely ridiculous then absolutely boring....
~Marilyn Monroe
Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.... ~ Karl Barth
Joan River's has been called the "Queen of Comedy", and she stays true to her wickedly hilarious form in her delightful new book: "Diary of a Mad Diva".
When JR's daughter Melissa gave her a diary for a Christmas gift, she could only think of was Anne Frank, which Joan couldn't emulate in the slightest bit. Each entry begins with "Dear Diary", JR covers all topics from pop/celebrity culture, travel, vacationing from Los Angeles, New York, trips to Mexico, many religious faiths, current events, and a favorite: the LGBT community! It was also surprising how much JR disliked "Flo" of the Progressive Insurance Co. JR commented she hoped Flo would be run over by an uninsured driver!
At over 80 years of age, JR is still on top of her game. Not hesitating to chastise 79 year olds to "respect" their elders, she confesses an affair with FDR, a "rough rider", and claims everyone knew she and Abe Lincoln were an item as well! Although she readily admitted the "Dead Sea" was named after her sex life.
In writing of her decision to become "Reverend Joan" through the non-denominational Universal Life Church she performed a ceremony uniting her good friends Lenny and Denny in marriage. Chaz Bono now identifies as a transgender man, JR perplexed; wondered what would happen if she identified as a "coffee table"? Considering a lesbian cruise, JR wasn't sure about those finding Antonin Scalia, Martina Navratilova, and 3/4" drill bits funny.
I loved this immensely entertaining funny book! On a more serious level I'd also like to mention another equally great inspiring book; "Bouncing Back" (1997). JR discusses overcoming a broken heart, bankruptcy, scandal, in widowhood following the suicide death of her beloved husband Edgar Rosenberg. JR exemplifies a celebrity life well lived, and that laughter is always the best medicine.
~Marilyn Monroe
Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.... ~ Karl Barth
Joan River's has been called the "Queen of Comedy", and she stays true to her wickedly hilarious form in her delightful new book: "Diary of a Mad Diva".
When JR's daughter Melissa gave her a diary for a Christmas gift, she could only think of was Anne Frank, which Joan couldn't emulate in the slightest bit. Each entry begins with "Dear Diary", JR covers all topics from pop/celebrity culture, travel, vacationing from Los Angeles, New York, trips to Mexico, many religious faiths, current events, and a favorite: the LGBT community! It was also surprising how much JR disliked "Flo" of the Progressive Insurance Co. JR commented she hoped Flo would be run over by an uninsured driver!
At over 80 years of age, JR is still on top of her game. Not hesitating to chastise 79 year olds to "respect" their elders, she confesses an affair with FDR, a "rough rider", and claims everyone knew she and Abe Lincoln were an item as well! Although she readily admitted the "Dead Sea" was named after her sex life.
In writing of her decision to become "Reverend Joan" through the non-denominational Universal Life Church she performed a ceremony uniting her good friends Lenny and Denny in marriage. Chaz Bono now identifies as a transgender man, JR perplexed; wondered what would happen if she identified as a "coffee table"? Considering a lesbian cruise, JR wasn't sure about those finding Antonin Scalia, Martina Navratilova, and 3/4" drill bits funny.
I loved this immensely entertaining funny book! On a more serious level I'd also like to mention another equally great inspiring book; "Bouncing Back" (1997). JR discusses overcoming a broken heart, bankruptcy, scandal, in widowhood following the suicide death of her beloved husband Edgar Rosenberg. JR exemplifies a celebrity life well lived, and that laughter is always the best medicine.
July 6, 2014
I am not a Joan Rivers fan but was interested in this book based on all the buzz and drama surrounding it (angry celebrities, possible law suit, Rivers storming out of a CNN interview). Am I ever mad at myself for buying this and supporting this work of trash. I like humour books and comedy - I will laugh at jokes, even those some may find inappropriate... But this book wasn't funny. I didn't laugh once. Instead, this book is just way over the top and offensive. The "jokes" about various celebrities, politicians, royalty etc weren't remotely funny. And the jokes about 9/11 were horrible. I know Rivers has a reputation for making some horrible comments, but this book went too far. And the multiple notices that this is humour and not to take offence throughout the book were pointless because this isn't humorous. It was mean spirited and offensive. I do not recommend this to anyone - and if you really do want to read it wait a few months until it's in the bargain bin at the local bookstore. Don't make my mistake and give this lady and more money for being a witch.
September 1, 2014
It's so, so, so rare that I don't finish a book. I made it to page 144 before I threw in the towel, and it took me 2 weeks to trudge through that much. Sorry, Joan, I usually love you and I think you're hilarious every time you're on Howard Stern, but I just didn't find this that funny. And I thought that I hated most things. I know it's all supposed to be a joke but sheesh.
The only part that made me laugh out loud was the dedication:
"Sometimes people write novels and they just be so wordy and so self-absorbed...I am a proud non-reader of books." - Kanye West (Reuters, May 2009)
"This book be dedicated to Kanye West, because he'll never fuckin' read it."
"May 11
Dear Diary:
Got rid of Facebook today and I feel as free as the woman in the tampon commercial who can go swimming, surfing or cliff diving in spite of her heavy flow." p. 96
The only part that made me laugh out loud was the dedication:
"Sometimes people write novels and they just be so wordy and so self-absorbed...I am a proud non-reader of books." - Kanye West (Reuters, May 2009)
"This book be dedicated to Kanye West, because he'll never fuckin' read it."
"May 11
Dear Diary:
Got rid of Facebook today and I feel as free as the woman in the tampon commercial who can go swimming, surfing or cliff diving in spite of her heavy flow." p. 96
September 23, 2014
I opened this book up to the acknowledgements last night and was literally laughing out loud ..
I then read the first diary entry and was almost peeing my pants ..
It's so funny..
I couldn't stop thinking "I can't believe she's saying this"!
Anyways plan on reading once I'm done the walking dead novels !
Who doesn't love to laugh?!
Anyways I'll write another review once I've finished it .. But in my opinion it already gets 5 stars !!
I then read the first diary entry and was almost peeing my pants ..
It's so funny..
I couldn't stop thinking "I can't believe she's saying this"!
Anyways plan on reading once I'm done the walking dead novels !
Who doesn't love to laugh?!
Anyways I'll write another review once I've finished it .. But in my opinion it already gets 5 stars !!
July 14, 2014
Classic Joan. My Guilty Pleasure.
September 15, 2014
I laughed till I cried. Then I laughed some more. Joan Rivers' humor was always fresh and unique. So glad she shared her "Diary" with the world.
October 20, 2014
I'd never heard of Joan Rivers before her death was announced, then someone lent me this audiobook. I ALWAYS try to finish books, but I had to abandon this one after listening to 2 hours of utter vulgarity and incessant bitching.
I suppose it didn't really help that I don't know most of those numerous US celebrities she was bitching about, but I felt her jokes about Anne Frank, for instance, were preposterous, revolting even. Totally OTT. I tried to keep an open mind and listen some more, but never so much as tittered. It's just NOT funny!
Who ARE all these people who find it hilarious? I thought it was mean-minded, uncouth and often obscene twaddle. No, I couldn't recommend this to anyone.
I suppose it didn't really help that I don't know most of those numerous US celebrities she was bitching about, but I felt her jokes about Anne Frank, for instance, were preposterous, revolting even. Totally OTT. I tried to keep an open mind and listen some more, but never so much as tittered. It's just NOT funny!
Who ARE all these people who find it hilarious? I thought it was mean-minded, uncouth and often obscene twaddle. No, I couldn't recommend this to anyone.
September 25, 2014
Just finished Diary of a Mad Diva by Joan Rivers. Loved her as a comedian years ago. I have determined, either she has taken a step down in class or I have stepped up. I found her crass, rude and snotty. I know she's trying to be funny, but I don't find Anne frank, the holocaust, and Helen Keller jokes funny. Nor do I think that every person in Hollywood needs to be openly ridiculed. She was as bad as Kathy Griffin (but at least Kathy is funny). I hate to say it, but if she hadn't just died, I would have never finished it.
March 8, 2018
Wow!! I don’t think I’ve ever read the c-word so often in a book, Joan was such a potty mouth.
Another laugh out loud, hilarious book from Joan, it’s full of hatred and scorn and politically incorrect jokes that are so damn funny, I feel guilty for laughing at them but it’s impossible not to.
What’s so great about Joan is that she has punchline after punchline after punchline, her jokes just keep going, they build up so much, that’s the sign of a very clever comic.
Long may she rave!
Another laugh out loud, hilarious book from Joan, it’s full of hatred and scorn and politically incorrect jokes that are so damn funny, I feel guilty for laughing at them but it’s impossible not to.
What’s so great about Joan is that she has punchline after punchline after punchline, her jokes just keep going, they build up so much, that’s the sign of a very clever comic.
Long may she rave!
February 8, 2015
This is the only thing I can possibly say about this book:
"For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
December 22, 2021
I have been a fan of Joan Rivers since I was a kid, so I loved this book. A major part of Joan’s shtick has always been to push the edges of comedy and she has often been quoted as saying nothing is off limits. She proves that with this, her last book, by making jokes about several topics- immigrants, homeless people, and overweight actresses that simply would not fly in today’s climate and more importantly- they just weren’t funny jokes. But most of the material here is total Joan and had me laughing out loud to the side-eye looks from other customers in the coffee shop.
March 8, 2021
I got chills when I realized that the hilarious Joan Rivers died less than 3 months after this book was published. Her riff on celebrity deaths was a wee bit uncomfortable.
November 26, 2014
Although I'm an enormous fan of the late Joan Rivers, somehow her books just don't translate for me. When we listen to Joan on TV or being interviewed or performing, and she is saying hilarious (and often right on) yet crass, no-holds-barred, offensive stuff, her personality is there to soften the delivery with a metaphorical wink-wink, or shout "Oh come on, can we talk?" or "Grow up!" etc. Somehow reading her screed on paper delivers only the insults and offense, and the humor dwindles.
At first I thought "guilty pleasure!" as I dug in to Diary of a Mad Diva and I admit, I laughed out loud a few times. But very quickly that died down for me and I just felt uncomfortable and not amused. Maybe in person, no make that DEFINITELY in person, Joan was brilliant enough to carry off joking about Anne Frank and turn it into something. But on paper, alone in my living room, this kind of humor on paper just was a massive fail. I put the book aside after about 30 pages.
Much love for the late Joan Rivers, but I'll skip her books.
(Note for those of you doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge - I wanted to comment on this book, but didn't want to "count" it toward my 2014 reading challenge, since I didn't finish it. I discovered that you can put it on your "read" shelf, and therefore get it off your "currently reading" shelf and also leave a review, without it counting towards your reading challenge: just don't add a "date finished.")
At first I thought "guilty pleasure!" as I dug in to Diary of a Mad Diva and I admit, I laughed out loud a few times. But very quickly that died down for me and I just felt uncomfortable and not amused. Maybe in person, no make that DEFINITELY in person, Joan was brilliant enough to carry off joking about Anne Frank and turn it into something. But on paper, alone in my living room, this kind of humor on paper just was a massive fail. I put the book aside after about 30 pages.
Much love for the late Joan Rivers, but I'll skip her books.
(Note for those of you doing the Goodreads Reading Challenge - I wanted to comment on this book, but didn't want to "count" it toward my 2014 reading challenge, since I didn't finish it. I discovered that you can put it on your "read" shelf, and therefore get it off your "currently reading" shelf and also leave a review, without it counting towards your reading challenge: just don't add a "date finished.")
September 15, 2014
I chose to listen to this audio because honestly, I know little of Joan Rivers. With her recent passing, and seeing her books on audible, I thought I should give her a try. Let me just say that Joan’s book is not for the faint at heart, easily offended, sensitivity to offensive language and lewd acts….
I will just say that while at moments she was funny, for the most part she was crude, and cruel and while I wanted to give this one a try, I will not become a fan of her work. The audio reminded me a lot of Betty White and how she has become this crude older woman who people love because the “F” word coming out of her mouth is as hilarious as it is when a two-year old pops out an inappropriate word. IMO, Betty sold herself out for this kind of publicity, I do not know when Joan became so crude or if she always has been that way, but this would explain why I never followed her career.
Note: I have come to understand (really knowing little about this woman) that she was a ground
breaker for women entering into comedy and being given a voice. Joan Rivers served us well in our history of women stepping into new roles and for that I am grateful.
For more on this review: http://bookjourney.net/2014/09/12/dia...
Rest in peace Joan.
I will just say that while at moments she was funny, for the most part she was crude, and cruel and while I wanted to give this one a try, I will not become a fan of her work. The audio reminded me a lot of Betty White and how she has become this crude older woman who people love because the “F” word coming out of her mouth is as hilarious as it is when a two-year old pops out an inappropriate word. IMO, Betty sold herself out for this kind of publicity, I do not know when Joan became so crude or if she always has been that way, but this would explain why I never followed her career.
Note: I have come to understand (really knowing little about this woman) that she was a ground
breaker for women entering into comedy and being given a voice. Joan Rivers served us well in our history of women stepping into new roles and for that I am grateful.
For more on this review: http://bookjourney.net/2014/09/12/dia...
Rest in peace Joan.
July 17, 2014
Let's face it, most of us, either LOVE or HATE Joan Rivers. I, for one, have been a fan for almost 35 years starting when she sent me a present for my 31st birthday. Yes, yes, yes!!!!! I see her each and every time she comes in town or even close by......
So getting to the book, the premise is that Melissa buys Joan a diary to record her thoughts day-by-day during 2013. Whether, these little blurbs are true or not is irrelevant. Many are funny, many are repetitious, and, a few insightful. You have to take what she says with a grain of salt. If I thought for one minute, she, was, as a human being, hateful, I would un-friend her immediately.
What I came away with is that, yes, at 81, she is a diva. She deserves every dime she makes even on the tshotchkes she sells on QVC. If someone in Podunk-ville is willing to buy the junk, then so be it. No one is forcing you to buy. She flies first class and wants to be left alone. She is chauffeured everywhere and wants peace and quiet. Her family comes first. And, lastly, I agree that Juge Judy should run for President! Yes, yes, yes!!!!
So getting to the book, the premise is that Melissa buys Joan a diary to record her thoughts day-by-day during 2013. Whether, these little blurbs are true or not is irrelevant. Many are funny, many are repetitious, and, a few insightful. You have to take what she says with a grain of salt. If I thought for one minute, she, was, as a human being, hateful, I would un-friend her immediately.
What I came away with is that, yes, at 81, she is a diva. She deserves every dime she makes even on the tshotchkes she sells on QVC. If someone in Podunk-ville is willing to buy the junk, then so be it. No one is forcing you to buy. She flies first class and wants to be left alone. She is chauffeured everywhere and wants peace and quiet. Her family comes first. And, lastly, I agree that Juge Judy should run for President! Yes, yes, yes!!!!
September 5, 2014
Warning to authors: If I read your book, you will die!
What? Too soon?
If you dislike tasteless, often cheesy jokes (see above), you will probably not like this book. Rivers makes multiple jokes about the Holocaust, 9/11, minorities, the disabled, religion and plastic surgery. Rivers often said she made jokes about tragic and sensitive topics because it is the only way to deal with such heavy situations without becoming overwhelmed by life.
This book is not is not a diary. It spans the course of one calendar year and the chapters are divided into months, but if readers wants insight into the life of Joan Rivers, they will find little. Instead they will find 365 short riffs from a comic legend who wrote and collected jokes for 81 years. The jokes range from very funny to schlocky borscht-belt humor. Verdict: A fitting tribute to a life dedicated to ribald humor everyday of every year.
What? Too soon?
If you dislike tasteless, often cheesy jokes (see above), you will probably not like this book. Rivers makes multiple jokes about the Holocaust, 9/11, minorities, the disabled, religion and plastic surgery. Rivers often said she made jokes about tragic and sensitive topics because it is the only way to deal with such heavy situations without becoming overwhelmed by life.
This book is not is not a diary. It spans the course of one calendar year and the chapters are divided into months, but if readers wants insight into the life of Joan Rivers, they will find little. Instead they will find 365 short riffs from a comic legend who wrote and collected jokes for 81 years. The jokes range from very funny to schlocky borscht-belt humor. Verdict: A fitting tribute to a life dedicated to ribald humor everyday of every year.
February 16, 2015
I would rate this book at 3.5 stars. It is pretty good. This book is written as a diary. Joan Rivers is known for her cutting put down insults. I actually like Joan Rivers.She can be funny. this book has some funny moments. I liked some of her "entries" better than others. I was hoping I would life this book more. but some of it can be pretty mean spirited. it felt like it would be uncomfortable to laugh at some of the things Joan wrote. but yet if you know anything about Joan Rivers, this IS her kind of humor. I did like some of the book. Depends on what the readers taste is in their sense of humor. Got to say I miss Joan Rivers though. she could be very funny.
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