All That Glitters.

I didn't know much at all about Pearl Lowe but recently saw an interview with her and she intrigued me enough to make me pick up her autobiography and read it.

Although it does tell her life story (Pearl Lowe was a singer in the 90's Britpop band Powder, then an interior designer and then a dress designer) I feel that this book is less the story of her life and more the story of her drink and drug addictions.
Leading a seemingly perfect life with her rock star husband and children Pearl is unhappy and unfulfilled. Known as a party girl around London, her partying soon gets out of control and she becomes addicted to both cocaine and heroin. Then follows a never ending cycle of recovery and relapse until with the birth of her fourth child when at last she sees the light and starts on her 'spiritual journey' to her final recovery.

I wanted to like this book but it disappointed me. I had been expecting it to contain more about how she became a musician and designer and her creative processes and it was lacking in showbiz type tales. 

Although Pearl is very candid about her addictions and mistakes she is so self indulgent that she frustrated me no end. (Later on she exhibits some awareness of her position and privilege and she becomes somewhat more likeable.) She details the addiction and relapse cycle very well but the story appeared to be lacking something and it failed to grip me making it something of a chore to read.

I didn't love the book but wish her well with her continued sobriety...