Rhonda S. (imapugmom) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 18 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 17
I totally disagree with the reviewer who only gave it 1 star and with what she believes was the motive to write the book.
I grew up watching the Brady Bunch and I'm about 10 years younger than Maureen McCormick. I found her story shocking at times, sad, courageous, brave...and, really somewhat normal.
She isn't Marcia Brady but she lived in that perfect shadow for years. Having personally grown up in a family with mental illness and the family was in denial and everything was a secret I could TOTALLY relate to many aspects McCormick openly shares in the book. I never did drugs, but the pain she indured can be easily empathized with.
For anyone who thinks this book was done for money, they have never battled personal demons...at least not battled them consciously and came out in the end winning. I think McCormick would have written this book and released it for free if she thought it would help another person avoid some of the pitfalls she found herself in over the years.
I grew up watching the Brady Bunch and I'm about 10 years younger than Maureen McCormick. I found her story shocking at times, sad, courageous, brave...and, really somewhat normal.
She isn't Marcia Brady but she lived in that perfect shadow for years. Having personally grown up in a family with mental illness and the family was in denial and everything was a secret I could TOTALLY relate to many aspects McCormick openly shares in the book. I never did drugs, but the pain she indured can be easily empathized with.
For anyone who thinks this book was done for money, they have never battled personal demons...at least not battled them consciously and came out in the end winning. I think McCormick would have written this book and released it for free if she thought it would help another person avoid some of the pitfalls she found herself in over the years.
Shilo C. reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
As I watched re-runs of The Brady Bunch in the late 70's, early 80's, poor Marcia was going through extreme drama. I was very surprised by the revelations in this autobiography. It is a wonder she survived all the madness in her life. This was a very interesting story and I enjoyed the book, it is well written.
Machelle C. (pixistix) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 36 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
I found this book very interesting. We all have this image of "Marcia" and now we finally get to see the real person behind this character. I felt such sadness for the things that she has gone through in her life. It was a quick read.
Donna C. (DonnaRI) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 65 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
This book certainly is not a light-hearted story about the life and times of Marcia Brady! In fact, the majority of the book does not deal with Maureen's time on the show, but her life after the show, which was at times bizarre, and at times heart-wrenching. Her family life was so strange, it was almost unbelievable. And toward the end, I had a hard time understanding exactly why she did not stand up for herself a lot more with her own family members; she comes across as a very weak personality. I hope she has learned something while writing this book. She seems to have allowed people to walk all over her, and lead her around (mostly in bad paths and poor choices), for her entire life. The book is a reasonably quick read. I started skipping over some of the detailed descriptions of drug use, because there was way too much - it seemed so exaggerated and over-the-top at times.
Monica G. (24girl) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
"Marcia, Marcia, Marcia." Oh how this line has plagued Maureen McCormick for years. Inside this book Maureen shares her life in shocking detail. To outsiders she was perfect. Cute, smart and stylish with the talent to match. To outsiders she was Marcia Brady. But few people were privy to the real person with real fears who spent a lot of time literally hiding in closets to escape her demons.
From her humble beginnings as the voice of the Chatty Cathy Doll to her impressive win on Celebrity Fit Club, Maureen's life is chronicled with nothing held back. "Haunted by the perfection of her television alter ego, Maureen landed on the dark side, caught up in a fast-paced, drug-fueled, star-studded Hollywood existence that ultimately led to the biggest battle of her life."
I'm amazed at how open Maureen was in this book. As she learned later in life, being open and sharing was the solution to bringing her the peace she never had growing up and even into adulthood. Her story of triumph over the demons that tore her live apart for so many years is encouraging in so many different ways. I highly recommend reading this book especially if you were a Marcia Brady fan or even just casually knowing the character as I did.
From her humble beginnings as the voice of the Chatty Cathy Doll to her impressive win on Celebrity Fit Club, Maureen's life is chronicled with nothing held back. "Haunted by the perfection of her television alter ego, Maureen landed on the dark side, caught up in a fast-paced, drug-fueled, star-studded Hollywood existence that ultimately led to the biggest battle of her life."
I'm amazed at how open Maureen was in this book. As she learned later in life, being open and sharing was the solution to bringing her the peace she never had growing up and even into adulthood. Her story of triumph over the demons that tore her live apart for so many years is encouraging in so many different ways. I highly recommend reading this book especially if you were a Marcia Brady fan or even just casually knowing the character as I did.
Helpful Score: 3
Reading Maureen McCormick's, "Here's The Story," shocked me and truly blew my mind. I immediately felt compassion for the emotional horrors she faced as a young girl and young adult. Nothing about McCormick's real life matched Marcia's and I admired her brutal and often painful honesty about the events, decisions, consequences and choices she lived through (and continues to heal from).
I grew up watching the iconic Marcia Brady in the 1970s and I'm sure she helped shape and influence my moral development. As silly as this sounds, I believe watching how Marcia Brady handled situations such as cheating, stealing, sibling rivalry, dating, disappointments, fashion, gossip, slumber parties, lying (and any other "growing-up" topic)gave me a moral foundation on which I based my own teenage decision-making moments. I have to admit, I'm glad I didn't learn about McCormick's personal tragedies until later in life. At this stage, I can "handle" it and differentiate real people from characters on televison-- I won't be passing on what I learned in McCormick's book to my daughter since she is a second-generation child who is currently captivated by Marcia Brady thanks to the DVD series set.
I grew up watching the iconic Marcia Brady in the 1970s and I'm sure she helped shape and influence my moral development. As silly as this sounds, I believe watching how Marcia Brady handled situations such as cheating, stealing, sibling rivalry, dating, disappointments, fashion, gossip, slumber parties, lying (and any other "growing-up" topic)gave me a moral foundation on which I based my own teenage decision-making moments. I have to admit, I'm glad I didn't learn about McCormick's personal tragedies until later in life. At this stage, I can "handle" it and differentiate real people from characters on televison-- I won't be passing on what I learned in McCormick's book to my daughter since she is a second-generation child who is currently captivated by Marcia Brady thanks to the DVD series set.
Helpful Score: 3
When I was growing up, I (and every other girl I knew) wanted to be Marcia Brady. Loved the show, still find it charming for it's "innocence". I really was looking forward to reading this book because Maureen would be describing something from my childhood from the inside.
The portions about the relationships between the cast members was the interesting. But unfortunately, it was the only interesting parts of the book. The writing and stories are very choppy, there are paragraphs in there that have nothing to do with the paragraphs before or after it. The book was particularly hard to stay interested in as I got to the last 20 or so pages.
Maureen McCormick had a "typical" Hollywood book in that she grew up with an abusive father, has a severely disabled brother, underwent two abortions, snorted a quarter million dollars worth of cocaine, couldn't get a job after being "Marcia", dated/slept with much of Hollywood, etc. I didn't expect a book about her life to be the teenage ideal that her character lived. However much I sympathized with her issues, I never cared about her "characters"... her parents, brothers, even her husband who stayed through what most men wouldn't. I still love Marcia, but really disliked the book, I couldn't post it fast enough. I think it will be hard to find readers that will like it enough to keep.
The portions about the relationships between the cast members was the interesting. But unfortunately, it was the only interesting parts of the book. The writing and stories are very choppy, there are paragraphs in there that have nothing to do with the paragraphs before or after it. The book was particularly hard to stay interested in as I got to the last 20 or so pages.
Maureen McCormick had a "typical" Hollywood book in that she grew up with an abusive father, has a severely disabled brother, underwent two abortions, snorted a quarter million dollars worth of cocaine, couldn't get a job after being "Marcia", dated/slept with much of Hollywood, etc. I didn't expect a book about her life to be the teenage ideal that her character lived. However much I sympathized with her issues, I never cared about her "characters"... her parents, brothers, even her husband who stayed through what most men wouldn't. I still love Marcia, but really disliked the book, I couldn't post it fast enough. I think it will be hard to find readers that will like it enough to keep.
Helpful Score: 2
Wow, Marcia Brady she is not! Interesting and shocking (to me, anyway) story of Maureen McCormick's crazy life off screen. I had no idea she was so deeply addicted to drugs and applaud her for sharing her deeply personal story with the public. The actress Valerie Bertinelli, whom I also admired as a young girl, shared similar tales in her recent memoir, but Maureen's demons are far scarier. Fast, albeit flawed, read.
T. -
Helpful Score: 2
Let's see---
Snorting coke in the 70's-----$250,000
Two abortions-----------------$ 1,000
Kissing rear to every well known studio producer in Hollywood---Priceless.
But this memoir wasn't priceless. It was downright boring--until you get to the end, then it is just bizarre. McCormick tried as hard as she could to make it read as if she has a hard, tough, rough life---but I don't buy it. This was a way to get some media attention and make a few dollars. The publisher could have at least proofread the manuscript--for example, chapter 10, second page--what exactly is "essentically?"
Read it if you have to, but don't think you are missing out if you skip this one.
Snorting coke in the 70's-----$250,000
Two abortions-----------------$ 1,000
Kissing rear to every well known studio producer in Hollywood---Priceless.
But this memoir wasn't priceless. It was downright boring--until you get to the end, then it is just bizarre. McCormick tried as hard as she could to make it read as if she has a hard, tough, rough life---but I don't buy it. This was a way to get some media attention and make a few dollars. The publisher could have at least proofread the manuscript--for example, chapter 10, second page--what exactly is "essentically?"
Read it if you have to, but don't think you are missing out if you skip this one.
Laura D. reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Wow! Maureen McCormick has had a very troubled life but has found the strength through God and her husband, Michael, to overcome many, many obstacles. I was just blown away by how honest she was in this book. Granted, the writing isn't always the best, and I found a few typos, but I'm glad I read it. It did leave me feeling a little depressed. I just never knew one person could go through so much. Of course, a lot of the angst was brought on by herself as she battled her personal demons. If you are a Brady fan, it is worth a read.
Lisaanne D. (leese) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I do not understand why stars of the past want to ruin their images to make money! This book is about her drug use. When she is not describing her usage, she is describing her bed partners. Oh yes and her two abortions before 21!!
I grew up with the Brady Bunch. I had an image in my head...This book has blown it!
Fast read! Not interesting! To mumbled up to really get! I kept thinking if you are writing you are stoned out of your mind...how can you write about it?
I am done reading about people who had "good" images. Why ruin the image for the all mighty $$$...
I grew up with the Brady Bunch. I had an image in my head...This book has blown it!
Fast read! Not interesting! To mumbled up to really get! I kept thinking if you are writing you are stoned out of your mind...how can you write about it?
I am done reading about people who had "good" images. Why ruin the image for the all mighty $$$...
Kathy C. (SilkyTerrierMom) -
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this book. I would probably not have read it except that I followed Maureen's journey on Celebrity Fit Club and really enjoyed watching her. I found this to be a very inspirational story about a woman who has overcome lots of issues in her life, much the same as many non-celebrity people in this world. A very quick read.
Lynne J. (Doughgirl) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 138 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Bet you're surprised that this book wasn't entitled Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!, aren't you?
Maureen admits at the very beginning of this memoir that that particular phrase - and her alter identity as Marcia Brady - has followed her all of her life. It has been both a blessing and a curse; and she has a different times loved it, hated it, and finally come to terms with it.
The years that Maureen spent as a Brady get some, but not a lot, of play in this book. Rather, this is Maureen's story, which is about as opposite as can be from Marcia's life in the Brady household. The worst thing that Marcia had to worry about was healing from a broken nose in time for a date (ironically, Maureen had a broken nose at pretty much the same time). But Maureen has had to deal with a serious drug (cocaine) addition, more than one mentally ill family member, and her own battle with depression.
The first half of this book really dragged for me. I frankly got tired of reading about Maureen having one cocaine binge after another, sleeping around, and attempting to hide her cocaine habit.
But in the second half of the book, she started to turn her life around, and the story turned around also. The second half of the book moved much faster than the first, and I grew to admire Maureen for fighting her demons - and winning.
If you are a fan of The Brady Show - especially if you are a child of the 60's and 70's as I am - I recommend this book. It's not great, but it is good and a very worthwhile read.
Maureen admits at the very beginning of this memoir that that particular phrase - and her alter identity as Marcia Brady - has followed her all of her life. It has been both a blessing and a curse; and she has a different times loved it, hated it, and finally come to terms with it.
The years that Maureen spent as a Brady get some, but not a lot, of play in this book. Rather, this is Maureen's story, which is about as opposite as can be from Marcia's life in the Brady household. The worst thing that Marcia had to worry about was healing from a broken nose in time for a date (ironically, Maureen had a broken nose at pretty much the same time). But Maureen has had to deal with a serious drug (cocaine) addition, more than one mentally ill family member, and her own battle with depression.
The first half of this book really dragged for me. I frankly got tired of reading about Maureen having one cocaine binge after another, sleeping around, and attempting to hide her cocaine habit.
But in the second half of the book, she started to turn her life around, and the story turned around also. The second half of the book moved much faster than the first, and I grew to admire Maureen for fighting her demons - and winning.
If you are a fan of The Brady Show - especially if you are a child of the 60's and 70's as I am - I recommend this book. It's not great, but it is good and a very worthwhile read.
Jason R. (jrehde30) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 124 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Woah is me, Marcia Brady. If I had to hear one more thing about her coke addiction, I was going to scream. Every time she would get mad, she would go and "get high". Please, her life was not that horrible. She just met the wrong people at the wrong time. This book dragged. You are not missing out on much if you decide to skip this one. I would rather keep thinking she lived a decent life.
Gisele H. (gisele) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 11 more book reviews
What a whiner! And after all that drug abuse, she still hasn't stopped drinking? Unbelievable! I feel sorry for her poor husband and daughter to have to deal with this emotionally unstable and self-destructive woman. What a poor example!
Crystal M. (mom02boys) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 4 more book reviews
Couldn't finish this one. Bless her heart, she had issues we viewers never knew existed. It was depressing and hard for me to read. Guess I liked the illusion of Marsha Brady better than the reality.
Jennifer L. reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 12 more book reviews
As someone who grew up watching The Brady Bunch, I was interested in Maureen's story but after reading it, I'm certain anyone with a loved one or friend who suffers with a drug addiction would find the read fascinating and eye opening AND beneficial. Living with a child who has as equally challenging drug addiction, I was reminded throughout the story that addiction is no respecter of persons among many other things. Maureen's story, though a heavy, dark subject matter, is delivered with a genuine voice that doesn't make the read 'feel' dark or depressing. Rather, the total honesty in her voice urges the reader on and, at the book's end, I felt like I'd lived her story right over her shoulder. I continue to ponder it to this day. Highly recommend.
Cindy F. (johnnysangel) -
I'd wanted to read this one for awhile. I loved the Brady Bunch!! I do feel sorry for famous people who have everyone under the sun judging them for every little thing they do, so I don't see where this was a money maker for Maureen.
One could think of much better ways to make money, and preserve their image! I also think it's difficult for most of us to identify with the stars, so I never read expecting to identify with any of them, nor do I begrudge them their fame or fortune.
One could think of much better ways to make money, and preserve their image! I also think it's difficult for most of us to identify with the stars, so I never read expecting to identify with any of them, nor do I begrudge them their fame or fortune.
Lauren C. (hanaleiway) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 49 more book reviews
I learned a lot about Maureen McCormick in this book. Weather or not it was worth the time to read is the question. I'm a big fan of memoirs, but this one fell a little short. She went into great detail about somethings, and failed to talk about other things I felt that were important. And then it ends very quickly, leaving you with questions on what happened. I'm sure they were unanswered when she wrote the book, but still. It was neat to read about her life and the Brady Bunch ear, but it wasn't the best I have read.
Ps- What is she wearing the the cover? I'm confused lol
Ps- What is she wearing the the cover? I'm confused lol
Jeannie G. (JeannieMG) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 5 more book reviews
This book goes to show you that not all is glamorous in Hollywood!
Darlena B. (Deebee) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 18 more book reviews
Great book letting you into the real world of "Marcia Brady". Maureen McCormick opens up about all the good, the bad & ugly in her childhood & adulthood. Great read for anyone whose a fan of "The Brady Bunch" or just a fan of bios.
Jessica S. (iluvlibros) -
McCormick's life was certainly fascinating, but I wasn't too impressed by this book. I would have liked to read more about her days with The Brady Bunch, as most of the book focused on her life afterwards. Also, I had to remind myself that McCormick is an actress, not a writer. The writing wasn't always the best, and she included some scenes and details that I felt were unnecessary.
Deborah K. -
An amazing story of Maureen McCormick the infamous Marcia Brady from the Brady Bunch. Her life struggles with coming to terms with being herself and not living in the shadow of Marcia Brady nearly destroy her and how she comes back to survive it all. Another sad tale of childhood actors but at least this one has somewhat of a positive ending. If you grew up watching The Brady Bunch this book is not to be missed.
Beth R. (bethneal) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 3 more book reviews
Very interesting to find out things I never knew about Maureen McCormick.
Deb M. (itsamericle) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 23 more book reviews
I didn't like this book! I guess we all have problems, and there were places in the book where I thought the same thing was said two or three other times. I guess I grew up with the Brady Bunch and put to much into her character as Marsha. I found out she was completely opposite of the clean, drug and alcohol free Marsha Brady and I was very very dissapointed.
Liz B. (liz1953) reviewed Here's the Story: Surviving Marcia Brady and Finding My True Voice on + 14 more book reviews
I can't believe it was all true. She was such a mess, but I hope the best for her
