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Heart of Glass
In this edgy and romantic follow-up to her New York Times bestselling debut memoir, Chanel Bonfire , Wendy Lawless chronicles her misguided twenties—a darkly funny story of a girl without a roadmap for life who flees her disastrous past to find herself in the gritty heart of 1980s New York City.
Before downtown Manhattan was scrubbed clean, gentrified and overrun with designer boutiques and trendy eateries and bars, it was the center of a burgeoning art scene—both exciting and dangerous. Running from the shipwreck of her glamorous and unstable childhood with a volatile mother, Wendy Lawless landed in the center of it all. With an open heart and a thrift store wardrobe, Wendy navigated this demi-monde of jaded punk rockers, desperate actors, pulsing parties, and unexpected run-ins with her own past as she made every mistake of youth, looked for love in all the wrong places, and eventually learned how to grow up on her own.
With the same “biting humor” ( People ) that made her “powerful” ( USA TODAY ) and “illuminating and inspiring” ( Reader’s Digest ) New York Times bestseller Chanel Bonfire so captivating, Wendy turns her brutally honest and often hilarious spotlight on herself, recounting her tumultuous and giddy twenties trying to make it in the creative underbelly of New York City, all the while searching for love, a paying job, and occasionally, a free meal.
Before downtown Manhattan was scrubbed clean, gentrified and overrun with designer boutiques and trendy eateries and bars, it was the center of a burgeoning art scene—both exciting and dangerous. Running from the shipwreck of her glamorous and unstable childhood with a volatile mother, Wendy Lawless landed in the center of it all. With an open heart and a thrift store wardrobe, Wendy navigated this demi-monde of jaded punk rockers, desperate actors, pulsing parties, and unexpected run-ins with her own past as she made every mistake of youth, looked for love in all the wrong places, and eventually learned how to grow up on her own.
With the same “biting humor” ( People ) that made her “powerful” ( USA TODAY ) and “illuminating and inspiring” ( Reader’s Digest ) New York Times bestseller Chanel Bonfire so captivating, Wendy turns her brutally honest and often hilarious spotlight on herself, recounting her tumultuous and giddy twenties trying to make it in the creative underbelly of New York City, all the while searching for love, a paying job, and occasionally, a free meal.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 15, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
January 6, 2017
Last year I read Wendy Lawless's first memoir Chanel Bonfire and thoroughly enjoyed it. In her follow-up memoir—though the two don't have to be read in any particular order—Lawless picks up as a 20-something trying to make it as an actress in 1980's New York. She examines the foibles and fall-outs of learning to be an adult alongside beginning to unpack what her unconventional childhood, estrangement from her father, and strained relationship with her mother means in order to move on.
I appreciated, as with the previous book, Lawless's honesty; she doesn't paint herself as a heroic figure or a victim or someone without blame. She takes responsibility for her actions, whether or not they are good ones. And I liked how the memoir balanced reflection from an older perspective but also gave you a peak inside of her mind at the age of which she is writing about. It doesn't have any of that "oh I was young and stupid and should've known better" that memoirs can have when written at an older age. She relishes her youth even when it's unsavory.
Like I said when reviewing Chanel Bonfire, if you are a fan of Jeanette Walls and Patti Smith, you should definitely check these memoirs out. They're beautifully written and incredibly engaging, the kinds of stories you can get lost in.
I appreciated, as with the previous book, Lawless's honesty; she doesn't paint herself as a heroic figure or a victim or someone without blame. She takes responsibility for her actions, whether or not they are good ones. And I liked how the memoir balanced reflection from an older perspective but also gave you a peak inside of her mind at the age of which she is writing about. It doesn't have any of that "oh I was young and stupid and should've known better" that memoirs can have when written at an older age. She relishes her youth even when it's unsavory.
Like I said when reviewing Chanel Bonfire, if you are a fan of Jeanette Walls and Patti Smith, you should definitely check these memoirs out. They're beautifully written and incredibly engaging, the kinds of stories you can get lost in.
November 14, 2024
A straight up delight. I laughed I cried I fell in love. Lawless is a wonderful writer, witty and frank with an impressive facility for language. This is her second memoir. Though it will be out of order I will be reading Chanel Bonfire, the first book, soon. I listened to Lawless read the book and she is an engaging narrator. The perfect book for mid-November 2024. It was good to remember I can still laugh.
December 15, 2015
“Heart of Glass” by Wendy Lawless, published by Gallery Books.
Category – Memoir Publication Date – March 15, 2016
This is a follow-up to Wendy’s first memoir “Chanel Bonfire” and it is not necessary to read one to enjoy the other.
I think the best advice Wendy ever received was when she was told to “grow up” and she received this advice when she was in her late 20’s.
Wendy Lawless was determined to become an actor, he father was a renowned actor and she wanted to follow in his footsteps. Her life was also shaped by her mother who divorced her father, had boy friends coming in and out of her life on a regular basis, and had little parenting skills.
The memoir follows Wendy through her turbulent attempt at becoming an actress. It was a life of living in sub-standard housing, scraping together meals, bring employed and unemployed, and going to auditions that, for the most part, ended in failure. Wendy also had a problem with male relationships. She never could find the man she wanted and needed. She blamed her mother’s frivolous life with many men as the cause of her problem.
A very good memoir that will be enjoyed by those who like to look into the lives of other people, and especially those who are trying to use a memoir to put together their own lives.
Category – Memoir Publication Date – March 15, 2016
This is a follow-up to Wendy’s first memoir “Chanel Bonfire” and it is not necessary to read one to enjoy the other.
I think the best advice Wendy ever received was when she was told to “grow up” and she received this advice when she was in her late 20’s.
Wendy Lawless was determined to become an actor, he father was a renowned actor and she wanted to follow in his footsteps. Her life was also shaped by her mother who divorced her father, had boy friends coming in and out of her life on a regular basis, and had little parenting skills.
The memoir follows Wendy through her turbulent attempt at becoming an actress. It was a life of living in sub-standard housing, scraping together meals, bring employed and unemployed, and going to auditions that, for the most part, ended in failure. Wendy also had a problem with male relationships. She never could find the man she wanted and needed. She blamed her mother’s frivolous life with many men as the cause of her problem.
A very good memoir that will be enjoyed by those who like to look into the lives of other people, and especially those who are trying to use a memoir to put together their own lives.
May 11, 2016
A huge fan of her first memoir, I had to read Wendy's follow-up memoir on her tumultuous 20s. She managed to conjure an excellent image of life in 80s NYC, and I enjoyed the line of lovers that she stacked up to get to Mr Right. My problem is that theater bores me (there's a ton of that; she's an aspiring actress), I never felt I got complete closure with how she ultimately ended things with her mother (I know she does of cancer from the first book, but they never spoke after that?), and I wanted to know what happened after she got married - did she just stop trying to 'make it' as an actress? A relatively enjoyable read if you were a fan of her first memoir, but probably more so if you enjoy theater.
May 26, 2016
Took me right back to my days of "searching for love", drugs and rock-n-roll!
August 16, 2017
I picked this book up because I'm always interested in the stories of folks who are around my age. Being a Northeast woman myself, I was particularly intrigued by the aspect of Wendy's story in NYC in the 80's, and of course Boston. This book was electrifying! I felt a connection right away to the people and places I was taken. So much so, I ordered and am currently reading Wendy's previously written book CHANEL BONFIRE.
HEART OF GLASS was a story of challenges and triumphs with the right amount of humor to make the tough stuff she went through not be depressing. BONFIRE looks to be in the same spirit as GLASS. I look forward to seeing where this takes her(and me!) Thank You Wendy Lawless for your brilliantly written personal story! LOVED IT!!!
HEART OF GLASS was a story of challenges and triumphs with the right amount of humor to make the tough stuff she went through not be depressing. BONFIRE looks to be in the same spirit as GLASS. I look forward to seeing where this takes her(and me!) Thank You Wendy Lawless for your brilliantly written personal story! LOVED IT!!!
March 7, 2017
I LOVE this lady. Loved her Chanel Bonfire as well - about her early life with a crazy narcissistic mom. This book is more about her late teens/20s - reads like a novel which I liked. A lot of her story is relatable for me since my mom is ALSO crazy and narcissistic.
March 5, 2016
I read this author's first book Chanel Bonfire and enjoyed it a lot. Although to be honest it was not my typical reading material. Yet, what I really liked about that book is the "rawness". Everything about the character to the story was exposed like an onion. Peeling off layer by layer added to the depth of the story. That is why I was intrigued to read the author's memoir. I wanted to get to know more about the author behind the book.
I did feel like I got to know who Wendy is as a person and not just a writer or actress. If I had to describe Wendy in three words I would say: "fearless", "intriguing", and "kind". Just like Chanel Bonfire in this memoir, Wendy does not hold back. Everything that Wendy experienced made her grow into a strong, independent twenty something woman. Yet as much as I did enjoy reading about Wendy's life I was not always focused on what I was reading. However this is a good memoir. I can not wait to read the next book written by this author.
I did feel like I got to know who Wendy is as a person and not just a writer or actress. If I had to describe Wendy in three words I would say: "fearless", "intriguing", and "kind". Just like Chanel Bonfire in this memoir, Wendy does not hold back. Everything that Wendy experienced made her grow into a strong, independent twenty something woman. Yet as much as I did enjoy reading about Wendy's life I was not always focused on what I was reading. However this is a good memoir. I can not wait to read the next book written by this author.
March 31, 2016
Wendy is the voice of the generation who were in their 20's in the 80s'. She brilliantly captures the roller-coaster of the years in college and beyond, when career, love, friendship, joy, and coming-of-age are paramount and yet elusive.
Wendy's vivid experiences of Manhattan parties, midwestern theater groups, and relationships all tainted by her family woes weave a rich narrative that make it impossible to put the book down!
I wept through the last few chapters--I didn't want this book to end. I highly recommend this book--it's smart, funny, and insightful.
I hope Wendy writes many more...
Wendy's vivid experiences of Manhattan parties, midwestern theater groups, and relationships all tainted by her family woes weave a rich narrative that make it impossible to put the book down!
I wept through the last few chapters--I didn't want this book to end. I highly recommend this book--it's smart, funny, and insightful.
I hope Wendy writes many more...
April 28, 2016
Like its predecessor CHANEL BONFIRE, HEART OF GLASS is bold and unapologetic and raw. Lawless artfully captures that special kind of angst and heartache that comes with being in your twenties with the detailed and no holds barred retelling of her personal journey, all set against the backdrop of punk rock and 1980s NYC. This is a memoir, but it's also a guide book, proving there's a way through the darkness of that final lurch of growing up.
June 11, 2019
I read Wendy's first memoir, Chanel Bonfire, a couple years ago and loved it. So, I was excited to learn that she had come out with a second memoir that detailed the next chapter of her life. This one takes place after she left home for New York City and follows her trying to make it on her own in the big city - through jobs, relationships, auditions, and more. Plus, it includes a bit of the early punk scene as well which I loved. A great follow up to her first memoir!
May 7, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway from Goodreads. An entertaining book about an aspiring young actress trying to break into theater and away from her destructive mother. This is a followup to her original story of growing up in a dysfunctional family, Based on this book, I plan to read the first one " Chanel Bonfire".
December 31, 2016
I won this book on goodreads giveaway. This book gives an 80's view of the struggles to become actress not only in New York, but around the country, both for those with connections, and an education, and those without. It is emotional, honest, sometimes fun, and gritty. This is not the type of book I normally read, but I enjoyed it, and will pass it on to my friends.
March 11, 2017
Your twenties are so hard. It is so hard to grow up and become yourself. It's even more difficult without a sturdy foundation to return to. I felt for Wendy in each one of her well documented failures and I cheered for her when she gets her happy ending. FINALLY. (She reminds me a lot of myself).
May 18, 2016
I had to skim this because it was so danged boring. A dull recitation of where she went and who she was with, and virtually no insight or perception into her life.
December 24, 2017
"Chanel Bonfire", the author's first memoir was enjoyable. This was endurable. "I did this and then I went there and I saw that and then I went somewhere else and blah blah blah. " Sheer inertia kept me turning the pages as I had nothing else on my nightstand to read. I'm making a New Year's resolution: not to stick with books that are just so-so.
The good part about this book was the title which kept me singing that old song for days.
The good part about this book was the title which kept me singing that old song for days.
March 28, 2017
Unlike fiction, you know that beyond the muted edges of memory, you are reading about Wendy's real life. When you read about a character, you're like "No, that wouldn't have happened that way, it's too contrived." Her story unfolds with the help of the memories and notes of her friends and family. Even though I knew it was real and that she is a success, I found myself rooting for her to find love, her life work, and a realistic sense of self. If you want a snapshot of that time period, read this book. I enjoyed the occasional celebrity name dropping and the description of how the setting was back then. (I received this in a goodreads giveaway.)
March 14, 2017
Wendy Lawless's first book, Chanel Bonfire, fits in a category i read more than i should, probably: memoirs by feral girls, women who were raised without mothers, by crazy mothers, by fundamentalist mothers or hippie mothers.
This book is different - crazy mother factors in, finding her way as a young woman sexually and emotionally, for sure - but a larger portion of it deals with her development as an actress. For this reason, I'd recommend it not just to my fellow readers of childhood disaster memoirs but also for those who are or were interested in theater arts or acting. It is appropriate for young adults who are in theater, and they might find it interesting on that level, while being intrigued by the other behavioral adventures.
I love that she says at the end that they lived happily ever after. They always do in this category!
This book is different - crazy mother factors in, finding her way as a young woman sexually and emotionally, for sure - but a larger portion of it deals with her development as an actress. For this reason, I'd recommend it not just to my fellow readers of childhood disaster memoirs but also for those who are or were interested in theater arts or acting. It is appropriate for young adults who are in theater, and they might find it interesting on that level, while being intrigued by the other behavioral adventures.
I love that she says at the end that they lived happily ever after. They always do in this category!
July 28, 2017
Wendy Lawless is a talented write and Heart of Glass is a worthy follow up to Chanel Bonfire, but it just can't hold it's weight next to Bonfire.
Lawless chronicles her twenties: the story of a young girl without direction or a roadmap as she sets out in NYC before it was gentrified and trendy.
I highly recommend Chanel Bonfire as the story of the author's unconventional upbringing with an unstable alcoholic and suicidal mother was far more interesting.
Lawless chronicles her twenties: the story of a young girl without direction or a roadmap as she sets out in NYC before it was gentrified and trendy.
I highly recommend Chanel Bonfire as the story of the author's unconventional upbringing with an unstable alcoholic and suicidal mother was far more interesting.
August 20, 2023
I read Wendy's first memoir, Chanel Bonfire, a couple years ago and loved it. So, I was excited to learn that she had come out with a second memoir that detailed the next chapter of her life. This one takes place after she left home for New York City and follows her trying to make it on her own in the big city - through jobs, relationships, auditions, and more. Plus, it includes a bit of the early punk scene as well which I loved. A great follow up to her first memoir!
March 14, 2016
In this engaging follow-up to her New York Times Bestselling memoir, Chanel Bonfire, Lawless takes us through her early twenties with a level of emotional honesty that can be breathtaking. It is also fun to visit gritty, early 80s New York City with its punk and post-punk street kids, smelly old man bars and the tattered remnants of old New York that have now been brushed clean out of existence. Written in the wise and funny voice that made CB such a delight, she admits to every mistake in love and life that a young person can without ever feeling sorry for herself. While her mother played foil and villain in the first book, she only haunts this one. Lawless's adversary here is her own youth and the inexperience and mistakes that will resonate with everyone who is or has ever been twenty. Hilarious and harrowing the book drives so smoothly that I read it in two days -- with her through every crappy job, bad boyfriend and crazy story as she tries to find love and success. This is a book about a person who, as she says, doesn't have a road map, figuring it out as she goes. Like a modernist novel it's Lawless actions that reveal her character in exciting and vital ways instead of in the kinds of preachy, self-help-y passages in so many memoirs these days.
April 29, 2016
Heart of Glass...I never knew I could love a memoir as much as I loved Chanel Bonfire but Wendy Lawless' second storytelling is as honest, raw and observant as her first. I can't choose a favorite.
As someone who shares Wendy's experience with an unstable childhood, her stories of loneliness, questioning her parents' choices and wondering where she fit in, Heart of Glass was like looking in a mirror.
This memoir is a fast paced account of Lawless's life as a struggling actress and the road she trudged to get to a safe place in her life. She is young, open and adventurous, way more brave than I could have ever been but at the same time, she's got a vulnerable side of her...her heart gets broken, she breaks hearts, she breaks herself...and the reader is just along for the ride.
I love how easy it is to read as Lawless goes through the scenes of her twenties, like she's just sitting across the couch from me, telling me the stories that make up her life. You feel all the feels, as they say.
If you want to relate to someone who's had to work for every relationship, every milestone, every step up, if you want to strut thru the streets of Manhattan, if you want to relive the 80s in the most awesome way, (Iggy Pop cameos and all) read this book. You will treasure it.
As someone who shares Wendy's experience with an unstable childhood, her stories of loneliness, questioning her parents' choices and wondering where she fit in, Heart of Glass was like looking in a mirror.
This memoir is a fast paced account of Lawless's life as a struggling actress and the road she trudged to get to a safe place in her life. She is young, open and adventurous, way more brave than I could have ever been but at the same time, she's got a vulnerable side of her...her heart gets broken, she breaks hearts, she breaks herself...and the reader is just along for the ride.
I love how easy it is to read as Lawless goes through the scenes of her twenties, like she's just sitting across the couch from me, telling me the stories that make up her life. You feel all the feels, as they say.
If you want to relate to someone who's had to work for every relationship, every milestone, every step up, if you want to strut thru the streets of Manhattan, if you want to relive the 80s in the most awesome way, (Iggy Pop cameos and all) read this book. You will treasure it.
August 3, 2016
This second installment of actress Wendy Lawless's memoirs is unflinchingly honest -- and funny as hell.
Lawless is the star of her own story, of course, but so is 1980s New York City. Her sense of time and place is terrific, and it feels like we're right there with her, along for the ride in that scary and heady Manhattan of days gone by. As she struggles in her twenties to make a life and a career in the big city, we see all the heartbreak, dangers, and mistakes. Lawless clearly doesn't mind laughing at herself, and she invites us to laugh right along with her. Nothing is sacred. There's no sentimentality or self-pity in her account, but that just has us pulling for her all the more. And in the end, her courage and tenacity win out. She grows up and learns some hard truths, finds herself, and begins a career.
Her prose crackles, and she has a voice all her own: hilarious, wry, edgy, candid.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and a real success. I liked it so much that I went right out and got a copy of the first volume of her memoirs (CHANEL BONFIRE), which I hadn't previously read.
(Thanks to Gallery Books for an advance copy via a giveaway. Receiving a free copy did not affect the content of my review.)
Lawless is the star of her own story, of course, but so is 1980s New York City. Her sense of time and place is terrific, and it feels like we're right there with her, along for the ride in that scary and heady Manhattan of days gone by. As she struggles in her twenties to make a life and a career in the big city, we see all the heartbreak, dangers, and mistakes. Lawless clearly doesn't mind laughing at herself, and she invites us to laugh right along with her. Nothing is sacred. There's no sentimentality or self-pity in her account, but that just has us pulling for her all the more. And in the end, her courage and tenacity win out. She grows up and learns some hard truths, finds herself, and begins a career.
Her prose crackles, and she has a voice all her own: hilarious, wry, edgy, candid.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, and a real success. I liked it so much that I went right out and got a copy of the first volume of her memoirs (CHANEL BONFIRE), which I hadn't previously read.
(Thanks to Gallery Books for an advance copy via a giveaway. Receiving a free copy did not affect the content of my review.)
May 21, 2016
Thank you to Gallery Books for this advanced copy (Goodreads Giveway) book... It took me a bit to read it after I first read Chanel Bonfire (which wasn't really necessary for anyone else reading, but helped to put it all together for me)
I really really enjoyed this book & learning how Wendy was able to get on with her life. Once again, well written, an look inside how this girl worked to find real love in her life. I found much of it sad & confusing for her, but she never, ever gave up! Some of her adventures were funny, scary & more than interesting to say the least. I am amazed how someone who went through all the cruelty in life from her mother made it through, but Wendy was very persistent & did it! Really a very interesting & many times heart-wrenching read, however with help from family, friends & a therapist she was able to finally find the happiness & love she was in search of, while all the time being so very worthy of it all. My kudos to Wendy & I hope that her life has continued to be full of much love & laughter!
Do yourself a favor & read this one!
I really really enjoyed this book & learning how Wendy was able to get on with her life. Once again, well written, an look inside how this girl worked to find real love in her life. I found much of it sad & confusing for her, but she never, ever gave up! Some of her adventures were funny, scary & more than interesting to say the least. I am amazed how someone who went through all the cruelty in life from her mother made it through, but Wendy was very persistent & did it! Really a very interesting & many times heart-wrenching read, however with help from family, friends & a therapist she was able to finally find the happiness & love she was in search of, while all the time being so very worthy of it all. My kudos to Wendy & I hope that her life has continued to be full of much love & laughter!
Do yourself a favor & read this one!
March 23, 2016
I loved this book. This is Wendy’s follow up to her first book Chanel Bonfire, that I also really liked so I was excited to read Heart of Glass and I was not disappointed. It’s not necessary to read Chanel Bonfire to enjoy and follow Heart of Glass but I do recommend reading it as it is very good. Heart of Glass is about Wendy living in New York as a young aspiring actress. It was in the 80’s when pretty much “anything goes” and before Times Square was cleaned up. It is a quick, easy to follow, fun read. Like I said, you don’t have to read Channel Bonfire first but it does add some insight into Wendy’s issues but she does explain things enough in this book to be able to figure it out without reading Channel Bonfire. I look forward to Wendy’s next book.
June 16, 2016
I won this book in a giveaway. I found it to be a very interesting read, an unflinchingly honest, behind-the-scenes look at the author's life trying to make the big time in NYC professional theater. The reader is brought along for the ride, in many locations of the U.S. and London, as the author tries to find her true self, her true love, and a new relationship with a dysfunctional set of parents. I really liked this book, I found myself identifying with the author in her self-doubt and depression, and respect her for her tenaciousness in achieving her dreams. I recommend this book for any adult who is interested in a career in acting, living in NYC, or is just looking for an entertaining read.
March 23, 2023
Wendy Lawless shares her truth again in this second memoir in entertaining and heartbreaking ways. I strongly relate to many of her experiences, and am so glad to have found a kindred spirit in this book, and in her first book, Chanel Bonfire.
April 20, 2016
Loved this follow up to Chanel Bonfire, Wendy Lawless did a great job of capturing NYC and being a struggling actor in the 80's. It was beautifully written just as her first memoir Chanel Bonfire. Wendy's life was worth writing about and I truly sympathize with all that her mother and father put her through. I can so relate to not having my dad in my life and my mother not being what a mother should be to her children.
May 29, 2016
Captivating! The fact that you know this is the author's life really is inspiring and scary at the same time. I loved learning of theater life, friendships, and tenuous family ties. I enjoyed also the New York connections of the author as she shared the feel of life here, as she knew it, so well. I will have to go back and read "Chanel Bonfire" to truly see how it started and will anxiously await the next book so I know the rest of the story. A good read.
March 15, 2016
I read Chanel Bonfire and expected to be as invested in this book as I was in "Chanel". I found the strength and resilience she displayed as a child interesting. This book was about her twenties. Once again, it is open and honest, but after awhile it just seemed like a chronicle of one more play or bedmate. Perhaps those who did not live through the days when "do you want to head to my place" meant one thing will be a bit more amazed by the 80's. Thanks to goodreads contest for this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews