Book

Grace

📖 Overview

Grace Jones, the iconic musician, model, and performer, presents her life story through a series of personal revelations and recollections in this unconventional memoir. Written with music journalist Paul Morley, the book traces Jones's path from her childhood in Jamaica to her rise in the worlds of fashion, music, and film. The narrative moves between past and present, documenting Jones's experiences in Paris, New York, and beyond as she carved out her unique artistic identity. Her relationships with artists, photographers, and musicians feature prominently, along with behind-the-scenes accounts of her work in studios, on stages, and in front of cameras. This memoir examines themes of identity, artistic freedom, and cultural transformation through Jones's distinct perspective as both insider and outsider in multiple creative industries. The book serves as both a document of an era and a meditation on the nature of performance itself.

👀 Reviews

Readers appreciate Jones' raw honesty about her life experiences, career path, and relationships. Many note the book captures her distinctive voice and personality, with intimate stories about Studio 54, Andy Warhol, and her childhood in Jamaica. The non-chronological, stream-of-consciousness style matches Jones' persona, according to several reviews. Common criticisms include the scattered narrative structure making events hard to follow, and some readers wanted more depth on specific periods of her life. Several mention the co-writer's voice sometimes overtakes Jones' own. Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (500+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Feels like sitting down with Grace for a long chat" - Goodreads reviewer "Too jumpy and disorganized to fully engage with" - Amazon reviewer "Brutally honest about her relationships and struggles" - LibraryThing review "Expected more details about her music career" - Amazon reviewer

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🤔 Interesting facts

🎭 Grace Jones wrote this memoir after turning down book deals for 30 years, finally agreeing to tell her story in her own unfiltered words. 🎵 The book reveals that Jones initially turned down the role of Zula in "Conan the Destroyer" (1984), but changed her mind after Arnold Schwarzenegger personally called to convince her. 🌴 Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Jones describes her strict religious upbringing under her grandmother and step-grandfather (whom she called "Mas P"), which later influenced her rebellious persona. 👗 During her Studio 54 days, Jones would sometimes arrive at the club in a cage carried by four men, establishing her reputation for theatrical entrances and avant-garde fashion. 🎨 Co-author Paul Morley spent three years meeting with Jones in Paris, London, and Jamaica to capture her voice and stories, often having to track her down as she moved between cities.