Cher’s Memoir: Part 1 is a compelling and intimate book into the early chapters of her life—from her childhood to her rise to stardom, her complex relationship with Sonny Bono, and motherhood. While the book did feel a bit too long in some sections, I found myself consistently drawn in by the richness of her storytelling and the raw emotion behind it.
What really surprised me was how much Cher was willing to share. Her openness, honesty, and vulnerability come through in every chapter. She doesn’t shy away from personal or difficult moments, and that honesty made the memoir feel incredibly authentic. A lot of the stories and details were completely new to me, even though I thought I already knew quite a bit about her. That made the experience even more engaging.
I read the physical book while listening to the audiobook version, which made for an interesting experience. One thing to note is that the audiobook is not narrated by Cher herself, which was a little disappointing—I would have loved to hear these stories in her own voice. Still, the narration was solid, and reading along while listening worked well for me.
The book also includes a collection of photographs, which added another layer of connection to the memories she describes. Seeing those images while reading about key moments in her life helped bring her stories to life in a vivid and personal way. I enjoy seeing pictures in memoirs that I am reading.
This first part of her memoir focuses on her youth and early fame, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the next installment takes us. Overall, despite its length, this was a heartfelt and eye-opening read that gave me a much deeper understanding of Cher—not just as a celebrity, but as a person.