Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling (with Great Hair) Hardcover – February 25, 2014

I was blown away by this book. I wasn't a HUGE fan but I'd always liked Rosie. I heard this book mentioned on The View and I needed a book for the weekend. I had NO idea what the book would be about- Celebrity Stories, I thought. Nope. This memoir is touching, funny, sad, excruciating, exciting and so beyond touching that I cannot conjure the right words. The book is mostly about her childhood, which was something no child should have to endure. The way it was written truly touched me, and several parts made me cry. I even felt guilty for having a somewhat normal childhood. But Rosie doesn't want pity! In her straight-forward no-nonsense way, she relates stories about her mentally ill, abusive mother, her beloved "Tia" and getting to know her charming father. As you read, you can feel that this woman would not be defined by her family, her address, or the abuse. Some of the tales make me chuckle, some make me so sad that she or anyone went through such a life. But again, she doesn't want to be pitied. She does write about her early days in Hollywood, making her movies and the famous people she knows. But honestly, the book is a catharsis for her- it's just so obvious! I just finished after 2 days, and I want a sequel! I want to know what happened to keep her going, more about her 2nd husband, etc. I don't just see her as a survivor, though she IS that. I see her as an amazing human being who became extraordinary despite her circumstances. I really never gave her much thought, other than to admire some of her movies. But as a moderator on The View, I became curious about where she came from, how she became the woman she is. This book answered those questions and a million more. I can't recommend this book enough. You don't even have to know much about Rosie Perez- but after reading the book, I WANT to know more. I want to know she is happy and what she is going to do next. Fantastic writing- you can feel the sting of the slaps, taste the spicy food, and see the home she was in for many years. I'm blown away.

As I put my finished copy of Rosie's book into my bag, I feel like I am actually just leaving Rosie's house. I didn't know her too well, but she invited me into her home anyways. Sitting in her cozy living room, with the back wall filled with pictures of Minguita, her dad, and, maybe even her mom Lydia, I just had a 300 page conversation with Rosie Perez. Over coffee, a box of Kleenex, some killer music playlists, Rosie just took me on a journey through her life. She told me about her childhood. Damn, that childhood - the abuse she experienced, traumas, and living in that Catholic Home for all those years. Blended in with those authentic stories of her past, she continually reveals to me this really loud, beautiful, confident, and loving personality. Someone who really cares about all of the people around her - even when some of the people surrounding her created an environment where no one would blame her for being hateful or resentful - but that's not Rosie.When it comes to autobiographies and memoirs, I really don't believe you can really judge the book by the content. Rating it based on content is saying that a person's story, a person's journey, has some sort of number rating in comparison to other people's life journeys - which is simply bizarre. I think you should try to rate it based more on writing style, structure, flow, and voice. On that alone, I think this book is excellent. The narrative is laid out in a really cohesive way that starts by laying out her childhood in a more linear path. It then transitions into more of her career development while simultaneously reflecting on how these past childhood traumas and hurts have affected her perspective, her situational reactions, and emotional well being. I think this book speaks with an authentic voice, that honors her past, is inspiring, and insightful.Thanks for sharing your story Rosie!A few quotes that stuck with me are:- "I've hated my past so much that I've spent countless hours downplaying or even hiding bits of the truth of my childhood in an attempt to make it seem less severe..."- "I've been acting all my life, hiding, creating different realities, and suppressing true emotional responses."- "I had met my history, and it made me feel present and validated. I knew now that I belonged to something, and it gave me strength to believe I could do anything."

If you worship Rosie Perez, you will love this detailed memior. If, like me, you have a mild interest in her, you may cringe a bit at how Adorable!, Talented!, Precocious! she finds herself to be, especially as a kid. You also may find the rather long preface denying that she wants anyone to feel sorry for her -- hates it! -- a bit disingenuous after she relates her tales of misery at the hands of family and especially the Catholic Church. That being said, her story IS interesting and she WAS abused. She does not wallow in sadness. She is even a little glib about some pretty rough treatment. Aside from her Adorable! imitation of her Adorable! childhood lisp, her Adorable! pluckiness a la Shirley Temple movies, and her Adorable! every other trait of this curly-haired moppet, the memior is fascinating in its way and is well told to hold the audience's interest. It is pretty amazing she survived and did well in life. I am glad for her.

Rosie Perez chose a very accurate title for her book - her life was indeed unpredictable and extremely difficult. It was well written and can lend great insight to those who have suffered through similar circumstances. To have overcome the tough cards that she was dealt is a triumph of spirit over matter and she did it in spades. I don't know her personally but I am proud of her achievement as a human being because she could have succumbed to much less noble behaviour and courses of action and no-one would have blamed her but she held fast to an inner vision of herself and found the strength to survive it all. I hope the rest of her life will be heaven on earth.Maplesyrup8

I chose to give this the maximum rating because I've experienced emotional and physical abuse, you just can't make up this kind of experince!Either you've lived it or you haven't, but if you have you'll know abusers will always make you out to be the liar.Well done Rosie Perez for being honest with your journey and working towards a better you, without trying to burn everyone along the way, why? because forgiveness has it's own reward. Peace.

I loved this book.How two selfish people produced a child as loving smart and generous as Rosie,is a mystery.She was left to raise herself and did an amazing job with the help of her angel Tia.She knew to aim for education and always enjoyed making people happy by dancing and singing.She even melted her father's heart eventually.She deserves all the happiness she desires.

Very good read

Great book, interesting learning about her life.