Unbearable Lightness: A Story of Loss and Gain

Like others, I bought this book after seeing Miss de Rossi on Oprah. I'd liked her character on Ally McBeal, and I love Ellen, so those were two reasons to consider it.

The book grabbed me from page one. I was mesmerized by her accounting of bulimia and anorexia, and couldn't believe that she could continue to function on so few calories! I found myself thinking about her unsettled life well after I put the book down.

I do wish, however, that she had described her childhood a little more. We were led to surmise that the eating disorders were the results of her young modeling career, but why the self-deprecation? I also would have liked more detail about her recovery. I believe that information would have been tantamount to the devoted reader.

All in all, though, a good read. Well done, Miss de Rossi!

Not only did it scream truth, beauty and pain all in one package, it also allowed recognition of things that society has taught to remain taboo. It is a truly heart wrenching, truth delivering story of a wonderful human being who has seen too many battles between herself and those around her, and the pain and anguish that is forced upon us for being 'different'. Being able to experience the journey from her being in a darkened place, to then growing into an insightful person and achieving self love and self respect is magnificent. Anyone who has had troubles with mental illness, 'coming out' or self esteem troubles would find this easy to relate to, and shed some tears and laughter as it rings true and realise we are never alone.

Brilliant read, and a ten out of 10.

This is not just a book about eating disorders. Anyone who has ever suffered from self love and/or acceptance will bennefit from reading this. Love and acceptance needs to start w/yourself & everything esle will fall into place, however, that's sometimes a diffifult task. Portia's book will help you BELIEVE it's OK to put yourself first & not feel selfish. She is talented, successful, loved, thin...yet she struggles. We live in an extremely superficial society, however, one must learn - AND BELIEVE outward appearances are not what make a person...it's the heart & soul! Portia's book will help you on your journey of self acceptance which leads to self love!

It was hard to believe that someone that looks so strong and in control could have gone through this.
Portia is someone that I have always admired and after reading this book has opened my eyes to the world of eating disorders. This book had me crying, laughing, smiling and gapping in horror at the extremes that Portia had put her body through. I am glad that she is still here to tell us about what she went through and I'm very happy that she was able to find her silver lining and is now living a wonderfully happy fulfilling life.

I bought this book simply because I was curious about Portia de Rossi's case in regards to eating disorder. After I began reading it I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this book for anyone who knows someone or is suffering from an eating disorder. I know it helped me remember I wasn't alone and nearly every second I felt like it was me she was talking about. This book is amazing and has provided me with hope that things can get better. Thank you Portia de Rossi for sharing something so personal with the world.

a genuine account of what happens when you suffer in silence. the dark secrets of a terrible illness that is so often misunderstood; revealed in a candid and generously sincere format, without prejudice. very brave. great read.

This book was incredible to read that someone was as Portia was but makes you realise what people put themselves through to look like they think they should... so pleased her life turned out as it has in the end and loved some of her thoughts in the end.

I love to read memoirs and really appreciate when the author/story teller can take you to a moment and hold you their so that your 5 senses are alive within that moment. Reading Unbearable Lightness, was to see, hear, touch, taste and feel what Portia de Rossi was living in those moments she recounted in this book. I could feel her pain, her triumphs, her giddiness, her despair. It was almost as though I lived those moments she recounted with her. A well written memoir that is at different times exhilarating and painful to read. But it is a must read.

An extremely thoughtful and well written piece, I was blown away by De Rossi's honesty and grace in telling her story. I was easily wrapped up in the chapters and felt a huge connection to her journey. I wish there would have been a more extensive epilogue, but I can always hope for a second memoir!

From the very beginning, this book grips you. Portia starts by talking about this horrible voice in her head asking her what she's eaten today and telling her that she's fat. She describes the meticulous process she goes through to make sure she's eating as little calories as possible. There are some parts that are difficult to read, but every part of this book felt very real to me.

I originally picked this book up thinking Ellen would have a bigger part in helping her with her eating disorder and thought I would learn more about their relationship. That is not what happens. It's very much about Portia and how she herself has to get herself out of the hole of self hatred she put herself in. She does talk about meeting Ellen and touches on their relationship, but I wouldn't recommend this book if you're hoping read about her and Ellen.

You don't have to have had an eating disorder to relate to this book. At the very core of it, it's about insecurity, an unhealthy drive towards perfection, and the pressure Hollywood puts on young people. Portia's voice in this book makes the book a fascinating and fast read. She doesn't hold anything back. The best thing about this book was that unlike a lot of books by celebrities, Portia has no cowriter, yet the book is beautifully and honestly written.

Portia de Rossi's struggle with self-hate and eating disorders are laid right out for the reader in this gripping autobiography about the dark times in her life. I have always been a fan of Portia but this book gave me a whole new perspective of her and an even deeper respect for her then I had before. Any girl out there should read this book--especially younger girls because she talks about things that most young girls deal with--body image. It is worth the read for sure, I almost finished the book in one sitting and will most definitely be reading this book over and over again. This book is well worth it.

A fascinating glimpse into how anorexia can grip a talented, beautiful person in a nearly psychotic state, while those around her cannot easily intervene, but eventually must step in to save her life..A very engrossing read.

In Unbearable Lightness, Portia takes the reader into the dark and often misunderstood world of an eating disorder. I was blown away by the honesty and emotional vulnerability in the book. For someone who was so afraid to let people in, she is letting the world walk beside her as she relieves a tragic and dark past. The most moving part was the epilogue. Being an anorexic is hard work, but recovery is even harder. The epilogue is one of the more moving pieces of literature I've read in a long time. I appreciate how Portia gives voice to the desperation that people suffering from eating disorders experience; it's not glamours nor Hollywood, but hell.

This was such a well-written insight into eating disorders and the mental anguish that goes with them. And also such an unusual perspective. We don't often see behind the glamorous celebrity scene into the reality of what it takes to maintain celluloid 'perfection'. Portia writes incredibly well with such a mixture of pathos and brutal honesty it can be hard to take at times but it's well worth the effort!

This book is not ground breaking rocket science, but definitely an intimate look into the pressures that young actresses in Hollywood must face on a daily basis. Even though Rossi is gorgeous and talented, she suffers from some of the lowest self-esteem you can imagine. She writes beautifully and extremely candidly, bringing you into a world that you have always heard about, but never really knew the true story. Great book and interesting read.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Porcia has had a very interesting and harsh battle that she overcame well.

Only think I was a little dissapointed in is that she doesn't talk much about after her battle and how her life has panned out with Ellen, her wife, but then again maybe there is another book left in her life or she's wanting to be private, which I can understand.

I loved the book, a real inspiration to people suffering with an eating dissorder or just struggling with something in their life they find as a real obstacle.

Worth a read :)

This brutally honest account of portias troubled times is truly refreshing. It would have taken alot of courage to expose her innermost fears to all. Combine that with her brilliant writing style and this book is definately a winner

I personally adore reading memoirs and this book was no exception. She made herself very vulnerable in discussing this incredibly shameful, scary, and embarrassing illness. I can see how writing this memoir was healing for her.

However, please handle with care. This book could be very triggering for anyone suffering from an eating disorder.

At times, this book was difficult for me to read: the calorie restrictions, the extreme exercise routine, and such self hatred mad me sad for this beautiful, intelligent woman. I couldn't wait for her to experience her soft landing with Ellen!! Well done, Portia.

This was such a well written and interesting book about a subject that is usually "hush hush." It is written in such a way that people with no mental health training up to a psychologist can understand the struggles and pain. I couldn't put it down. I read it all in one day.

Portia's book is very touching and well done. You really get to go into the mind of someone battling an eating disorder and not being able to be comfortable with who you truly are. Very much worth a read!

A very sad, disturbing story with a happy ending.

Portia De Rossis' story, while probably very common, is not one that I am familiar with, it has given me a new understanding of eating disorders.

Portia is Ellen Degeneres' significant other. I bought this as a gift for a friend who wanted to know more about Portia and how her weight issues affected her life especially with Ellen. My friend really enjoyed the book.

I am a clinical social worker, working with several clients with eating disorders. One of them recommended this book. We are reading it to discuss together. Very readable and a good tool to open discussion.

There are definitely triggering details in the book. I don't think people currently struggling with an eating disorder should read this book. However, it is an amazingly written book and I would read it again. It's so easy to relate to her even in her description of her celebrity lifestyle.

This book was so horribly hard to get through because as others stated it has very little substance in it at all. The whole book is about what she ate and what she did for exercise. Nothing much really about her family etc.. what happened to her dad for instance? Nothing really about how she got through it just a lot of whining and I hate myself, I am fat over and over. She repeats herself a LOT and at the end all you get is a few paragraphs that have any substance to them at all. Much better books to read on this topic out there.

Amazing. This was the best portrayal of the suffering caused by eating disorders and the pressures society places on us to achieve perfection. I hope Portia knows how much her story has impacted many people. We should all strive the strength she discovered as we fight in whatever battles we are recovering from. Great book

Portia lets the reader into her world in this book. I was touched at the honesty and, dare i say it, humor, that she inserted into her story. Anyone who has battled with self image or known someone who you desperately needed to help feel better about themselves in regard to their body should read this book. It is not a book about a celebrity, it is just a book about a person, who is a celebrity, looking to share her experience because she can. i loved it.