A Paper Life

by Tatum O’Neal
A Paper Life cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Biography and Memoir
Technical
  • ID: 1757
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-10-09
  • ISBN: 9780060751029
  • Publisher: Harper Collins
  • Published: 2005-10-04
  • Reviews: 3

Tatum O'Neal's autobiography offers a raw look at her life, from her early Oscar win and glamorous Hollywood upbringing to her struggles with addiction and family dysfunction. She shares intimate details about her relationships and her path to recovery, emerging as a resilient woman rediscovering her identity.

Reviews
Barnes & Noble · 2025-10-09
engaging 4.00

The book is gripping and hard to put down, with the unbelievable nature of the author's life driving the narrative. The writing is engaging, although the reviewer notes that it could be improved in some areas.

The Barnes & Noble reviewer describes 'A Paper Life' as a page-turner, largely due to the unbelievable events of Tatum O'Neal's life. The memoir is compared to watching a train wreck—you can't look away. The reviewer appreciates the engaging writing style, which keeps the reader hooked despite the heavy subject matter. While the writing could be more polished in places, the raw and candid nature of the storytelling makes it a compelling read. The reviewer also notes that the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of celebrities, as seen through the eyes of a child.

Quick quotes

    "The unbelievability of this actress's life is what keeps you turning the page."

    "It's like reading about a train wreck; you can't get enough."

    "The writing isn't..."

The Storygraph · 2025-10-09
raw 3.00

The book is difficult to read due to its graphic depictions of family abuse and addiction, but it is also a powerful and revealing account of the author's life. The reviewer acknowledges the emotional weight of the content but appreciates the honesty and bravery in sharing such personal struggles.

The Storygraph reviewer finds 'A Paper Life' to be a challenging read due to its graphic content, but they also recognize its importance. The book delves into themes of family abuse and addiction, which can be tough to read but are presented with a level of honesty that is both admirable and impactful. The reviewer notes that the memoir is not just a chronicle of hardships but also a testament to resilience and the journey towards sobriety and spiritual peace. This makes the book a powerful and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    "This was a very difficult book to read, as full as it is with family abuse and addiction."

    "It's been a lot of years since it came out and Tatum O'Neal was 41..."

    "The book is not just a chronicle of hardships but also a testament to resilience and the journey towards sobriety and spiritual peace."

The New York Times · 2004-10-21
harrowing 3.50

The book is raw and unflinching in its portrayal of the author's life, but it avoids an overwrought tone, opting instead for a more subdued and reflective approach. The writing is straightforward, allowing the stark realities of her experiences to speak for themselves.

The New York Times reviewer notes that Tatum O'Neal's memoir is a stark and unflinching look at her life, but it's not sensationalized. The tone is understated, which makes the revelations about her struggles with addiction and abuse even more powerful. The reviewer appreciates how the book doesn't shy away from the darkest moments but presents them in a way that feels honest and genuine. This approach makes the memoir compelling and thought-provoking, offering a raw and unfiltered glimpse into the author's journey.

Quick quotes

    "Although Ms. O'Neal has set her hair on fire by page 20, 'A Paper Life' does not have an overwrought tone."

    "It prefers understatement, as in an..."

    "The book is a raw and unflinching look at her life, but it avoids an overwrought tone, opting instead for a more subdued and reflective approach."

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