Cher: Part One: The Memoir – An Intimate and Extraordinary Story of a Trailblazing Icon Who Topped Billboard for Seven Decades (The Cher Memoir, 1)

Let me tell you, I enjoy memoirs when I’m in the right mood, and this is no exception. Cher and Stephanie J. Block, the actress who won a Tony after playing Cher on Broadway, take turns narrating Part 1 of 2 (Part 2 drops November 2025) and they sound so similar that they’re easy to confuse. As fierce and brazen as she tends to seem in interviews and in the roles she plays, she is actually far more vulnerable, naive, and even innocent than one might expect. Evolving from humble beginnings that included addiction/co-addiction, domestic violence, poverty, and trauma, she displays a strong work ethic in the absence of any sense of entitlement. She seems honest and genuine as she speaks about the complicated but loving relationship she had with her mother, how hard it was to watch her mother hold fast to the belief that success and stability in a woman’s life were to be attained by way of a man, and how hard she has worked to break the cycles found within her family system. Maybe one of the most surprising things is the sometimes childlike, or maybe just ingenuous affection and appreciation she feels toward Sonny. She is neither unkind nor dramatic when she speaks candidly about the ways he admittedly exploited her and their success, or his history of infidelity. In fact, she seems fairly straightforward when she describes how his often controlling, possessive, manipulative, and even calculated approach to their professional and domestic partnerships. Admittedly she has worked through negative feelings she once harbored in relation to Sonny, and seems left with positive regard and genuine affection toward him overall. There are times when it feels like an example of trauma bonding borne of emotional abuse within their marriage, while there are other times when it feels as though she simply loves things they shared. This is the first of two parts, and there is a great deal of detail with regard to her costumes and wardrobe, as well as the exterior/interior designs related to her homes. She is quick-witted, sarcastic, and clever, as well as warm, and just really easy to like. The anecdotal accounts tend to be evolve organically, her conversational tone inviting her audience to look forward to knowing more of, and feeling closer to, “Cher,” and all that that implies. Trigger Warning: addiction/co-addiction, domestic violence, family enmeshment, male dependence, gaslighting

Great read! I was inspired and amazed. I was a Cher fan, but a mediocre fan. After reading this book, I am a Cher fan, 100%! It really is an intimate and extraordinary story. It was as if Cher was speaking to me and I can't wait to read Cher: Part Two.

I can’t say I have ever been a huge Cher fan, but I grew up watching The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in the 1970s, and she has certainly led an interesting life. Cher: The Memoir, Part I is the first installment in a planned two-book autobiography. This volume covers her childhood through 1976, so it is far from a complete portrait, but those years alone put Cher in contact with an extraordinary range of people in the music and entertainment industries. One of the most interesting parts of the book is learning how Cher got her start. I had not realized that she began by working for Phil Spector as a backup singer and knew him well. She includes plenty of memorable stories about the eccentric music producer. The book becomes much more engaging once Cher meets Sonny Bono and they struggle to make it in the music industry. Bono, who was considerably older than Cher, is portrayed as a distinctive but deeply flawed personality. Their breakup, which happened during the successful run of their television show, is described in detail. Cher also spends significant time on her post-Sonny relationships with music mogul David Geffen and Gregg Allman. She pulls no punches, shares some revealing stories, and is candid about her own personal issues and faults. Her reflections on Sonny are especially complex: she still loved him, even though they could not get along, and he had used her. Her account of Gregg Allman’s ongoing battle with substance abuse, which eventually destroyed their relationship, adds an interesting perspective to his already well-documented struggles. There are parts of the memoir that I found tedious. The first third of the book focuses on Cher’s childhood. While her early life was interesting, this section felt too long and could have been pared down. A later account of a girls’ trip to Paris also goes into more detail than necessary. Cher devotes a great deal of attention to fashion, costumes, and the buying, selling, and decorating of homes. Those topics may appeal to readers with a stronger personal interest in them, but they were less engaging for me. Cher often comes across as naïve and not very worldly, especially when she was young. That vulnerability allowed Sonny and others to take advantage of her, leading to contracts and situations that were damaging to her career and personal life. Some readers may also question her role as a mother, since she often mentions leaving her children with nannies while she was working or out having fun. At the same time, she is unusually honest about her choices, shortcomings, and complicated relationships. The book might have benefited from stronger editing. At times, the narrative feels scattered and haphazard. Even so, I enjoyed it more than I expected. Cher has led a remarkable life, and I learned many things about her that I did not know before. I am looking forward to Part II.

The book was in excellent condition and wrapped nicely. It arrived quickly, and was a great price. This purchase was a great experience.

I’ve always been a fan of Cher. The book is a deep dive into her struggles and successes and her fascinating connections to Music, TV and film legends. I can’t wait into read part II!

I always liked Sonny and Cher but the background surprised me. I’ll always be a fan and blast her songs in the car. I stayed up very late several nights to read this. Some reviews are stating some of the background long winded and boring. I found it interesting.

Im enjoying reading because I like biographies. I didn’t realize it was only part 1

Like any good autobiography, this is very well written because it is like Cher is talking to you. And there is plenty here that you probably didn't know. She had an almost shocking childhood riddled with poverty and constant moves from place to place as a result of a mother who, though loving, comes across as very self-centered. As a result, Cher didn't even have the drive to finish high school. But, due to her good looks, talent, endearing personality, and, mostly, pure luck and chance, she was able to start a career as a teenager that would, ultimately, make her legendary. Little did we know that Sonny Bono was such a creep, big time record producer David Geffen was Cher's savior, and her marriage to Greg Allman was a total fiasco. Amid it all, it is extraordinary to learn of all of the famous people Cher encountered and got to know during her younger self. It is really quite amazing. This is a real eye opener that provides honest insight by Cher herself as to how she got to where she did during the first three decades of her life. Is there a lesson here ? Yes, It is that Cher's devotion to her morals and values despite all that was going on around her kept her grounded and successful. Very well done. Looking forward to Part Two and her life as a major film star and Oscar winner.

If you like Cher you will LOVE this book - hey even if you arent keen but love autobiogs you will love this book. It’s honest & very well written. Ive always loved Cher & I live her even more reading this. What a lovely, genuine person she is. Cant wait for part 2!

Fascinating part one of a true icon. A fan but I learnt so much more about Cher Cannot wait for part two

Frantastic. I loved it. Well written and so human. Women stories from the past decades. We were so courageous and strong.

great read, highly recommended

Great read, such an interesting woman. Cant wait to read the next one