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Mean Baby

A Memoir of Growing Up

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About this listen

 **THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER **

'Funny and frank, a chance to spend time with a brave and big-hearted woman who's grown up to be not so mean, after all' JENNIFER LARUE, WASHINGTON POST

'Grabs you by the collar and says listen to all that I have to say: about love, pain, motherhood, illness, celebrity and the tidal ferocity that pours through all our lives. Read it and be caught in the voice of one of our luminous stars' ESMÉ WEIJUN WANG

The first story Selma Blair Beitner ever heard about herself is that she was a mean, mean baby. Although Selma went on to become a celebrated Hollywood actress and model, she could never quite shake the periods of darkness that overtook her, the certainty that there was a great mystery at the heart of her life. Over the course of this beautiful and, at times, shocking memoir, Selma lays bare her addiction to alcohol, her devotion to her brilliant and complicated mother, and the moments she flirted with death. There is violence, love, true friendship, the gift of motherhood and, finally, the simultaneous devastation and surprising salvation of a multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

'A fascinating exploration about the power of prophecy, of labels, and of one woman's determination to defy them all. Blair is a rebel, an artist, and it turns out: a writer' GLENNON DOYLE

'I laughed out loud more than I cried' FRANCES RYAN, GUARDIAN©2022 Selma Blair (P)2022 Hachette Audio UK Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Memoir Funny Heartfelt Inspiring
All stars
Most relevant
So honest, raw and touching. There is learning and reflection, but entertainment too. Recommended listen.

I knew I will love her book!

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Delivered with so much genuine emotion and passion. Sad, yet overall it's the positivity that shines through from the darkness. Highlights the realism of life and a candid account of many shared experiences which so many will resonate with. Things, that they may have hidden for years. A grounded normality behind the LA glamour. A reminder that life is rarely what you see on the surface and to be kind and patient always. Seek to understand below the surface (for yourself and others). Everything shone through as rooted from love, even when misunderstood. Massively charismatic and inspirational life story. Thank you for shining the light on the MS community also. Selma gives hope and support to thousands and am sure will touch all that read this. 🙏

Powerfully engaging, passionate & brutally honest!

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I’ve always admired Selma as an actor since I was a teenager myself. Loved her films. Listening to her story was amazing. Although not an actress I totally relate to her as a mother with chronic health problems myself with a son of a similar age. Living with chronic illness drew parallels and similarities. I feel had we have ever met we would be friends in life. I love her warmth, intensity, eloquence and how articulate she is. Funny but serious too. Wishing her and her son all the very best and may Selma continue her health journey with poise and determination. A very inspirational woman who I greatly admire. A true warrior!

Outstanding story

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Selma's story is incredible! I only knew of some of her film and tv appearances then following her 2019 appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscars dinner I started following her social media, where she is unapologetically honest about her life with MS.
The disease isn't even a fraction of the hell she has suffered and endured.
Listening to her emotion breaking through as she shares her story, it frequently stopped me in my track. I just had to listen and focus on what she was sharing. Her candour is brutal and beautiful and I'm now in absolute awe of her will to survive.
This book has been an incredible find and I highly recommend it...but for some in an unstable place, maybe now isn't the time.

Amazing - but possibly needs a trigger warning

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I have read many a biography and this book was one of my favourite’s, so overwhelming honest, I just want Selma to be my friend!

Wow, just wow

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