Genuinely reads like a horror novel at times, especially to someone (me) who was wholly unaware of how Britney's conservatorship came to be. The writing came feel a bit repetitive at times, but I'm so incredibly glad this woman is now able to tell her story. 

i’ve never been a huge fan of britney, but i have definitely paid her more and more attention over the last few years. i was so pleased that she managed to regain her freedom, and i was really excited to finally hear her tell her side of the story. the woman in me was an insightful and honest look into her life. with each chapter reading like snapshots of moments in her life, i wish that it could’ve gone into a little more depth, but i feel it was more important that she was able to articulate her story in her own words and so i keep my critique light.

✧ full review on my tumblr ✧

F- the patriarchy. Five stars. 

Coincidentally I read this book in the same week I watched episode 4 of The Penguin, which tells the story of Sofia Falcone’s gaslighting, forced institutionalisation, imprisonment and torture. 

We’re not supposed to feel bad for rich powerful privileged women right? 

Well, dammit, men will find a way regardless. To control, to silence, to gaslight, to abuse. 

Britney is certainly not the first woman celeb in history to go through this, and indeed many women have experienced this and worse, but this story matters so much. For these themes to come through in a bestseller by someone who the tabloids (i.e. abusers of the precious right to free speech, which others in the world are denied and die for) and streaming services love to exploit could be a good way to get these issues on the table in a big way, which is difficult for the “little guy” to achieve. Britney got the chance to publish a guaranteed bestseller and used her platform to highlight lifelong patterns of these issues. 

I will admit that I am not a very critical reader: I find something to like in almost everything I read, I can read almost any genre, and I tend to be especially forgiving of autobiographies/memoirs, because public figures are seldom the best writers! 
Britney is not a writer. But she tells her story authentically, with much reflection and what feels like a difficult honesty. The pacing is not slow and she doesn’t really belabour any points. Where she does refer to certain chapters of her life a lot, such as her relationships with Justin & Kevin, or her father’s many flaws, it’s clearly because those affected her profoundly, and she had a lot to say that could not be said before. Tbh I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. She describes the awful things that happened to her while admitting to her own faults and apologising. 

After the forced mental “treatment” and rehab, violation of privacy, denial of basic rights, after all the content made without her consent, after having no control of her life for so long, after her creativity and passion were repeatedly stifled, after tabloids provoking then exploiting her merely to keep media shareholders rich, it’s great to hear her own voice. 

I grew up outside of the era where Brittney Spears was in the spotlight and I had little understanding or history going in. But coming out of this book I was inspired, heartbroken, angry and happy all at once. This book gave deep insight into Brittney as a person and the battles she dealt with behind the scenes, I am glad that she is now free and living life at her own discretion. I recommend this read, but know that it is not an easy read.