Janet Street Porter autobiography

I haven't read it but would quite like to. I heard her on radio talking about it and it sounded really interesting. It's about her childhood up to the age of 25 (I think) and is v. honest about how she hated her mother and shagged a lot of people (sorry, am hungover and therefore rendered inarticulate and incapable of mature debate)

Might treat myself this week-end, thanks for the reply, Rachel.

Read "Baggage" over a few nights. Had watched Janet on "I'm a Celebrity" and went from hating her to really warming to her, in fact I wanted her to win!! Was disapppointed in the book. Didn't find it at all intellectual, and certainly disappointed in the literary style. I understand she had a very unloving childhood but have been left with the impression that she is psychologically imbalanced rather than courageous and intellectual. I still like Janet but find myself now pitying rather than admiring her. [%sig%]

I have just finished this and found it moving, intelligent and strangely disturbing personally. I was growing up in the same era five years behind and it made me reflect on the formative influences in my own life. But also, looking at her career in a slightly analytical way, it was clear how JSP's driving determination to 'self-improve' and her innovation and rebelliousness was a direct result of a need to escape her stifling childhood. I had a cosy upbringing and thus put up with much terminal boredom and aimlessness. My ramblings...........it's a very good book! Marigold

What a load of tosh! She wasn't abused or mistreated in any way. All she wanted was her own way and she would do whatever it took to get there. Totally self immersed and obsessed. didn't really understand why she wanted to write this self- indulgent trash. I was really looking for something that would be inspiring as she is a self made, successful woman. I found no inspiration whatsoever . Her poor mother and father!!

Liked this

I hope the book was better written than her article I read today, which included the sentence: "I do wish that politics wasn't driven by men intent on stressing the difference between the sexes, who try to tailor policies like carrots to appeal to discrete groups of voters."

I never did buy it - quite glad looking above.

I don't know, 'carrots' has always been one of my favourite policies, especially when it's tailored discretely to me.

That's Nouvelle Labour for you: tailored bloody carrots.

No substance.