The Third Gilmore Girl
The Third Gilmore Girl ~ Kelly Bishop
I came to Gilmore Girls late, as it was on against Buffy and there was no way I was going to miss Buffy. Some friends recommended it though, so I started watching it via DVDs that I got from the library. Like Engie, I feel that Emily, the matriarch of the Gilmore clan, is the best character. I would absolutely not want her for a mother, but as a TV character, she’s awesome. I decided I loved her in the first season when she quipped “Your father doesn’t know what he wants. He’d get his hair cut at the butcher if I let him.” HA!
Anyway, this book is not about the Gilmore Girls, it is about the actress who played Emily Gilmore, Kelly Bishop. She began her career in New York as a dancer, and eventually moved into acting via A Chorus Line. She traces her career and her personal life from a childhood in Colorado (father was an asshole, mother was hard working and supportive, and their life improved when her parents divorced) to dancing in New York, to acting and dancing through the years. I loved this book, because I loved her voice, her clarity of vision, her unbridled love for herself and those around her (not a narcissist, she just enjoyed her own company), her strength and resilience, and her love for her rescue dogs.
For someone who is not really a fan of memoirs, I seem to be reading a lot of them lately. I blame my daughter, who gave me this book for my birthday, though she admitted that she didn’t really want to go through another re-watch of the series with me, LOL. Highly recommended if you’re a fan of Bishop, of the Gilmore Girls, of Broadway, or of strong women doing their thing without apology.
21 Comments
PocoBrat
Engie read this recently, too, I remember. Now I’ll spend some time wondering if it was a podcast you had in common or a blogger :).
J
LOL, in this case it was pure coincidence, my daughter gave me this book and it was next up in line. I was happy to see Engie had read it when I was in the middle of it!
Ally Bean
Strong women, yes. The Gilmore Girls, no. I mean I didn’t hate the show, just found it tedious and way too talky for me enjoyment. This memoir, however, sounds interesting.
J
It was a LOT, I know that. I enjoyed that, but can see where if you didn’t it would be a turn off.
Allison McCaskill
I find it funny how sharp the divide is between people who thought she was the best character on the show and people who did not. I didn’t like her very much at all, I just found her mean and it was not surprising to me at all that Lorelei fled with her baby. I do find the actress interesting though. I loved the show when I watched it but it really does not hold up.
J
I just loved Emily, but she would be a HORRIBLE mother and I would hate to be her daughter.
Ernie
Curly is going thru a Gilmore Girls rewatch. I used to watch it here and there, now and then. I found parts of it cute and entertaining, but I struggle years later when Curly puts it on because the tone or something, irritates me. I do like memoirs and this one sounds good. I’m team strong women who are comfortable with themselves.
J
I’m team strong women who like themselves too!
Sarah
I’ve been waiting for this to come in via libby!
J
I hope you enjoy it! I liked having a physical copy for the pictures, but I’m sure audio would be great. Which are you getting?
Sarah
audio– she reads it!!
J
Oh, I think that will be great!
Lisa's Yarns
I’m on the hold list for this one. I did not love Emily as much as you and NGS did, though. I couldn’t get past how cruel she was to Lorelai at times! I have trouble with unlikeable characters in books, too. I let my feelings about the character get in the way of appreciating how the character was drawn. I love Lorelai the most by far!
J
Lorelei was my favorite the first time I watched the series, but further viewings, I find myself dreading her actions when she sabotages what could be good relationships. That is what her mom does too.
Alexandra
I have this one in my queue for buying, I was a fan of both the Gilmore Girls and Kelly Bishop, who, like you, was my favourite. Her scathing with and comebacks off-set the sweetness of the show and grounded it.
After you review, I might fast track this one to top of the list on my next buying spree.
J
Yay! Another fan of Emily! I hope you enjoy the book.
Alexandra
I’m sure I will, thanks.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
I have this on hold at the lbrary already. Looking forward listening to it.
J
Oh, Nice! Have you watched the series?
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Oh yes. Multiple times. Very much a Gilmore girls girl.
J
I love that!