Read IM A Memoir Isaac Mizrahi 9781250074089 Books

Product details Hardcover 384 pages Publisher Flatiron Books (February 26, 2019) Language English ISBN-10 1250074088

IM A Memoir Isaac Mizrahi 9781250074089 Books Reviews

• Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi was a huge deal back in the 1980s and 1990s. I say that very confidently because as a kid growing up back then I remember his name being mentioned frequently when Joan Rivers would ask on the red carpet "Who are you wearing?". And while he might not be dressing the A-List crowd as much anymore, he is still involved in the fashion world and he also has found a place in front of the camera on various tv shows. Definitely fair to say there is a lot of creativity flowing through his veins.
  
  I'll admit, I mainly wanted to read this book to hear some good fashion world stories. I was impressed he was able to make Anna Wintour sound almost human rather than the cold image she normally presents to the rest of the world. And I thought it was really cool he not only got to meet his idol, Liza Minnelli, but also strike up a friendship. I found it fascinating that seemingly overnight celebrities just started expecting to get free clothes from designers to wear to events and how that is the norm now. For sure my favorite parts of the book involved just random stuff about celebrities.
  
  I did find myself bored from time to time with the first half of the book. His childhood growing up as a gay male in a Syrian Jewish family was certainly fascinating but there were parts that dragged on a bit. I did enjoy the parts of the book that explored his relationship with his parents and his siblings and their families. His relationship with his mother in particular sounds supportive in some sense but also complicated. I'm glad he included what it was like living in New York at the height of the AIDS epidemic. It seems like too many people have long forgotten what a scary and difficult time period that was so it was good to hear his perspective.
  
  I read an advance copy of this book and was disappointed that the Golden Globes groping incident with Scarlett Johansson was not mentioned. It got big press back in 2006 and it seems like such a glaring omission to not have some sort of explanation in the book especially living in the #metoo era. I really do hope his thoughts on the matter find their way into this book before it's published.
  
  Overall, I do recommend this book not only if you are a fan of his but also he really is a unique individual so if you like memoirs this is a pretty safe bet.
  
  I won a free copy of this book but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
• I'm a long-time reader of memoirs and have found there are two types. One is a "slash-and-burn tell-all"; mean, venal, and usually intended to get back at someone in the memoir-writer's life. These books tend to make for ultimately tiresome reading as the rancor gets in the way of any kind of balanced portrayals. The other kind of memoir is a more gentle, less vicious look at the memoir-writer; his life and the influences of others on that life. Isaac Mizrahi's book, "I.M. A Memoir" is definitely the second type.
  
  Isaac Mizrahi is a noted clothing designer who has dazzled the fashion world with his work. But like many designers, he is a man of many talents. He is also a man with many life influences, including his Syrian-Jewish upbringing, his struggle with his weight, his homosexuality and how he's dealt with it, a life-time of depression he's been able to keep at bay, and his seeming intense enjoyment of his life and work. In his book he writes about his family - parents and two older sisters - and the Brooklyn Syrian-Jewish community he grew up in. His mother was his main fashion influence, encouraged him to attend the Preforming Arts High School, and has been a huge booster of his career. His father's acceptance was somewhat more difficult; Isaac's early "differences" from the other children and his artiness made the father-son connection tenuous. When Isaac's father told him he loved him right before his death, it was an important moment in his life.
  
  Mizrahi's book highlights his work and how his designs have developed over the years. His business life was often his personal life and Mizrahi has some great anecdotes of the people important in his life. His book is surprisingly kind to others while honest about himself. Of course, readers must trust the memoir-writer's truthfulness. And not only truthfulness, but trust in the writer's appraisal of his own nature. Isaac Mizrahi seems like a perceptive and honest writer and his book is quite enjoyable reading.
  
  I'm only awarding the book four stars instead of five because it lacks any pictures of Isaac Mizrahi and the people in his life and the designs he's made. I came across an article on-line from the Daily Mail which reviewed the book and published quite a few pictures that should have been in the book.
• I knew I would love this book, because I already love watching Isaac on QVC, especially with Shawn K. when she has to ask him the definition of an unfamiliar word he used when he was speaking to her. It is always good to learn new words - it makes us better Scrabble players. I can tell that Isaac inherited his love of the English language from his mother. I just love reading about her, knowing how she positively shaped his life. And the painful parts of his life's story make him relatable to the rest of us, even though he is a celebrity. But you will laugh out loud on every page that you read. Like I said in the review title, I knew it would be a wonderful read.
• I.M. is a most beautiful book. What rises to the surface is Isaac's enduring creativity, curiosity and fortitude. There was a comment by someone that they wanted the book to have more fashion stories. There are lots of them. But the point of the book to me was how Isaac used little daily pleasures in life like food and taxis and dogs to get through all the struggles of his challenging career. You will not be disappointed!
• I loved reading this boos so much so i hated to see it end. I have been a fan of Issac s for years loving him on QVC .My closet overflows with his clothes and shoes. I thought the book was both sad and at times funny. I loved reading about his relationship with his mother and happy she is still alive and enjoying his success. Issac was very open about his childhood and his life style. As i am in my senior years i loved reading about the great dept stores that no longer are in business and all the different styles of years ago. Now when i see Issac on TV i will have a much better understandng of who he is.