Review By Veronica
The Third Gilmore Girl is an interesting memoir that is perfect for Gilmore Girls fans who want to learn more about the actress who played Emily Gilmore.
Favourite Quote:
The door opens—
And then she walked in.
Kelly Bishop, formerly known as Carole Bishop, stormed the barricade. (By the way, ask her why she changed her first name to Kelly from Carole after she won the Tony. She’s told me the story at least twice. I still don’t understand it.) Kelly was regal, with a whiskey voice and perfect comic timing. She sat down, crossed her fabulous dancer’s legs, and opened her mouth. Three words in—I knew it. This was Emily.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Kelly Bishop’s long, storied career has been defined by landmark achievements, from winning a Tony Award for her turn in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line to her memorable performance as Jennifer Grey’s mother in Dirty Dancing. But it is probably her iconic role as matriarch Emily in the modern classic Gilmore Girls that cemented her legacy.
Now, Bishop reflects on her remarkable life and looks towards the future with The Third Gilmore Girl. She shares some of her greatest stories and the life lessons she’s learned on her journey. From her early transition from dance to drama, to marrying young to a compulsive gambler, to the losses and achievements she experienced—among them marching for women’s rights and losing her second husband to cancer—Bishop offers a rich, genuine celebration of her life.
Full of witty insights and featuring a special collection of personal and professional photographs, The Third Gilmore Girl is a warm, unapologetic, and spirited memoir from a woman who has left indelible impressions on her audiences for decades and has no plans on slowing down.
I grew up watching Gilmore Girls. I was the same age as Rory, and it felt like we were growing up together. My relationship with my mother when I was a child and teenager was similar to Rory’s relationship with Lorelai. And Emily Gilmore reminded me of one of my grandmas. As a teenager, I was overly fond of Emily’s character; she was a bit scary and controlling. But now, when I re-watch this show as an adult, I absolutely love Emily’s character. She is a force to be reckoned with, and God help anyone who makes her mad. I was incredibly excited to learn that Kelly, the actress who plays Emily, was writing a memoir because I knew little of the person who played a character that I knew so well.
This book was great and was so interesting. Amy Sherman-Palladino writes the introductory chapter in this book, and she wrote that the moment she laid her eyes on Kelly, she knew she was the perfect person to play Emily Gilmore, and I can definitely see why from reading this memoir. As Kelly takes readers on this journey of her life, she does so with an elegant, no-nonsense attitude. She is never afraid to stand up for her beliefs and calls people on their BS. Kelly did a wonderful job writing this memoir. Her voice and personality just leapt from the pages. It felt like I could hear her voice speaking to me as I was reading this book. I’m going to have to get the audiobook when it comes out. I loved getting to see the beginning of Kelly’s journey into dancing and, eventually, acting. She talks honestly about her triumphs and the low moments in her life. I was amazed at how much she had accomplished and loved spending a few hours learning more about this woman.
The Third Gilmore Girl is an amazing memoir, and anyone who is a fan of the Gilmore Girls series should definitely read it.
Thank you, Simon and Schuster Canada, for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
