by Cher
Cher: The Memoir, Part One promises to be an engaging and exciting audiobook experience, befitting this incredible book. Read in part by Cher herself, the book is introduced, and each chapter launched, by the author. Rounding out each chapter as she continues the narrative is celebrated stage actor Stephanie J. Block.?Stephanie starred on Broadway in The Cher Show for which she won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award. Together, Cher and Stephanie share the storytelling duties, alternating within the chapters to create a unique audiobook treatment that will bring listeners fully into this period of Cher's life—from her earliest childhood memories, to her meeting Sonny and their ascent into superstardom, her painful divorce from Bono, her relationship with Gregg Allman and her reach for independence. It is a story of creativity, individuality, motherhood, love, and loss, as only Cher could recount.
"Lending my voice to help deliver Cher's memoir has been an honor and a thrill. Her life is fascinating, glamorous, surprising, exciting... and at times, completely heartbreaking. Her story is a beautiful balance of ULTIMATE stardom and accessibility. She is CHER for a reason and this book helps the reader get behind 'the reason,'" says Block.
"When it came to completing the audiobook, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all myself due to my dyslexia.? But then I thought of Stephanie, who won the Tony for playing me on Broadway in The Cher Show. I knew she would be the perfect choice to get across to the reader the essence of me. I called her and within hours she re-arranged her schedule to start the recording.? I felt so safe having her help share my story, and she did a beautiful job," says Cher.
Cher: The Memoir, Part One promises to be an engaging and exciting audiobook experience, befitting this incredible book. Read in part by Cher herself, the book is introduced, and each chapter launched, by the author. Rounding out each chapter as she continues the narrative is celebrated stage actor Stephanie J. Block.?Stephanie starred on Broadway in The Cher Show for which she won a Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award. Together, Cher and Stephanie share the storytelling duties, alternating within the chapters to create a unique audiobook treatment that will bring listeners fully into this period of Cher's life—from her earliest childhood memories, to her meeting Sonny and their ascent into superstardom, her painful divorce from Bono, her relationship with Gregg Allman and her reach for independence. It is a story of creativity, individuality, motherhood, love, and loss, as only Cher could recount.
"Lending my voice to help deliver Cher's memoir has been an honor and a thrill. Her life is fascinating, glamorous, surprising, exciting... and at times, completely heartbreaking. Her story is a beautiful balance of ULTIMATE stardom and accessibility. She is CHER for a reason and this book helps the reader get behind 'the reason,'" says Block.
"When it came to completing the audiobook, I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all myself due to my dyslexia.? But then I thought of Stephanie, who won the Tony for playing me on Broadway in The Cher Show. I knew she would be the perfect choice to get across to the reader the essence of me. I called her and within hours she re-arranged her schedule to start the recording.? I felt so safe having her help share my story, and she did a beautiful job," says Cher.
Reviews-
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Oscar-winning actor, respected singer, and self-declared icon whose comebacks and reinventions have had their own comebacks and reinventions, Cher offers the first volume of her memoir. She alternates narrating with actor and friend Stephanie J. Block--who portrayed Cher in a short-lived Broadway musical biography. Both narrators are charming, effective, and pleasing to the ear. However, some of the narrative transitions are so sudden that the shift, once realized, is disconcerting. It's all here: the years with musical partner Sonny Bono, collaborating with Phil Spector, and meaningful background on her many early creative efforts, including hit records, concerts, and television appearances. The work is intimate and revealing while sparing listeners gossipy details. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
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Starred review from February 1, 2025
The only thing better than reading Cher's memoir is listening to Cher read her memoir. Because of her dyslexia, Cher shares audiobook narrating duties with Stephanie J. Block (who won a Tony Award for playing Cher on Broadway in The Cher Show). Cher opens the audiobook by reading the dedication, author's note, and preface, plus the entire 22-minute-long first chapter. At this point, she breaks from the book's text to let listeners know that Block will be co-narrating. For the rest of the book, Cher introduces each chapter and reads roughly three to 14 minutes of material before Block seamlessly slides in to finish the majority of the chapter. This is an excellent technique because listeners can count on hearing Cher at the beginning of every chapter. Cher and Block sound similar enough that Block is often several minutes into her narration before listeners notice the switch. This memoir, billed as "Part One," covers Cher's first 34 years, ending in 1980, just before her film career ignited. But there's a lot of vividly remembered life crammed into those first decades. VERDICT A polished, thoughtful, and wildly entertaining audiobook with outstanding narrators.--Kevin Howell
Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
