Elvis and Me

Thank you to the Blackstone Publishing and to NetGalley for an ARC of the book Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley,

I have read many books about Elvis (including this one) over the years. It has been a while since I read Priscilla's book. I was excited to dive into this book again, and listen to Priscilla read this as an audiobook. I think she did a wonderful job. Her voice is nice calm as she tells the story of her life with Elvis. I also got a kick out of her giggling several times through out the story. This was a really enjoyable read and I am glad that after all of these years, she recorded an audio version of it. This is very likely something I will purchase for my personal collection,

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Priscilla Presley for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for Elvis and Me coming out August 23, 2022. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

First of all, I can’t tell you how excited I was to get this audiobook! When I saw Priscilla narrated it, I really wanted to hear it. I never thought I’d be approved.

My grandparents loved Elvis. My parents loved Elvis. I love Elvis! I grew up listening to his songs and watching his movies. My dad could tell you where he was the day he found out about Elvis’ passing. Unfortunately I wasn’t born yet, so I never got to see Elvis in person. My uncle was actually in the background on Paradise Hawaiian Style, so we always look for him. He’s since passed away. But we’re really big fans.

I love hearing the stories about Elvis. I know not all the stories are true, so it was amazing to get Priscilla’s perspective.

I don’t think I really need to summarize the book. I think most people are familiar with Elvis and Priscilla Presley and their story.

I have nothing but high praise for this book! Parts of it made me tear up. It was so emotional. I appreciate Priscilla Presley sharing personal details of her life with Elvis with the world. She doesn’t owe anything to anyone and doesn’t have to tell anything. The narration was raw and honest. I was surprised by the intimate details. I loved that she could laugh about some of the things that happened. I’m sure it was so hard for her and I can’t imagine going through all of that. As much as everyone loves Elvis, I’m sure he was a very complicated man and caused a lot of heartache and sorrow to those closest to him. There’s definitely a lot of tragedy that came because of his death. Hopefully she’s able to hold onto the good memories. I talk about the Presleys like I know them, but I really don’t know them personally. It’s just the nostalgia of growing up with Elvis’ music.

I loved it! I would give it a million stars. I would recommend this to any Elvis Presley fans!

I cannot even begin to imagine what it’s like to be married to someone who is in the spotlight. Elvis, The King of Rock & Roll was incredibly famous and girls continually surrounded him. Seems everyone wanted a piece of him. He was very generous with his money and wanted to help everyone. But he also had a dark side, a temper and wanted things his way. People took advantage of him.

Priscilla gives us a poignant, honest look at her life with Elvis. She met him in Germany when her dad was stationed there and she was just a teen. After meeting Elvis they were smitten with each other. She shares how he wanted her to finish high school, and protected her virtue. He groomed her into what he wanted. After a quick wedding in Vegas and a quick pregnancy, things changed.

Priscilla realized she was loosing her identity and wanted out of the marriage after a few years. I am sure it was difficult for them both.

She was his first love and the friendship they continued even after their divorce was important to them both. They often felt that “there still might be a time” for them. However she did say Linda whom Elvis dated was good for him.

Thank you for sharing a small part of your world.

Elvis and Me
The True Story of the Love between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll
by: Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
narrated by: Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks
release date: August 23, 2022
genre: Biographies & Memoirs, Nonfiction (Adult)

We hear the voice of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley as she tells the story of her relationship with Elvis Presley in her own words. Priscilla narrates the new audiobook version of the book originally published in 1985. The ex-wife of the late Elvis Presley, she is a businesswoman, actress, and cofounder and former chairwoman of Elvis Presley Enterprises, the company behind Graceland.

The details that Presley shares in this memoir are intimate, often shocking and unsettling, and sometimes tragic. She recounts the events in their journey together, from meeting Elvis, falling in love, marriage, parenthood, and his death. The key roles of his musical career and personal addictions, and their impact on the complicated relationship are part of the narrative. In addition to the hardships and pain along the way, Priscilla writes of her stedfast love for Elvis Presley during his life and after his death.

As a lover of music and musical history, I always want to know the stories behind the music. I'm also glad I've had an opportunity to visit Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.

Thank you to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing-Audiobooks for the advance reader's copy of the audiobook. I provide my unbiased review.
#ElvisandMe #NetGalley

I've always been fascinated by the icons and music of the 1950s and 60s. A few weeks ago, I saw the Elvis movie and loved it. So when I saw the opportunity to listen to Priscilla Beaulieu Presley's classic 1986 memoir Elvis and Me (thanks NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing) I jumped at the chance to check it out.

It turns out, this book has never been available on audio before. Priscilla Presley, Elvis's only wife and mother to his only child, recorded the audio this year!

I raced through this book in the course of single day. Her performance is very endearing at times. She often giggles as she recalls sweet or silly memories of her time with the King. She still sounds very youthful and even in awe of her own life story.

In case you aren't aware, Elvis and Priscilla first met when she was only 14 and when he was already a huge superstar. This aspect of the story is pretty disturbing, I'm not going to lie. They didn't get married or consummate their relationship until they were married many years later. But still.... that part of the story is a little intense to contemplate. Priscilla is extremely honest about what happened. I truly felt like I was taken along on their journey.

I highly recommend this audiobook if you are interested in the experiences of the women behind the rock gods.

This is actually one of my favorite books. I had the original paperback copy which is probably dog-eared because I re-read it several times. I was a teenager in high school when Elvis passed away, but had no particular interest in him. But when I watched the television series (based on the book) in 1988 starring Dale Midkiff as Elvis and Susan Walters as Priscilla, I was transfixed. It was a blockbuster hit with the public and probably prompted me to buy the book. It introduced me to the world of Elvis, and from that point on I greedily would read any book that came out about him. I finally visited Graceland in 2019, and was reminded of this book. I now prefer to read on kindles, and noticed that this book (which originally came out in 1985) was not available digitally. I guess Priscilla decided to finally re-release it, almost four decades later, because of all the increased interest about Elvis with the new movie
starring Austin Butler as Elvis. Now, with a new cover depicting their wedding day, it is finally available in all reading formats.

I was fortunate to have experienced this book on audio, delightfully read by Priscilla Presley herself. This was a real treat. I don't think I could have enjoyed an audio version if she hadn't given it the personal touch and authenticity by reading it herself. She genuinely laughed recounting many stories, and transformed her voice when narrating dialogue from other characters in Elvis's circle (her experience as an actress helped here, I imagine).

When I first read this I was a newly married working woman in my twenties back in the eighties. It was a different world back then. My reaction to Priscilla's revelations is a lot different now, obviously. I'm a bit surprised that she re-released this book, because at this time with the "Me Too Movement" and all, and the reality that Elvis invited Priscilla into his life romantically at the age of 14 and basically groomed her to his liking until he was finally prompted to marry her when she was old enough...mmmm. She is very honest in this book about so much, and didn't censor anything in this re-issue. Don't get me wrong, I love as a voyeur reading this incredible memoir, but I'm surprised she wouldn't be afraid to open up a can of worms about the improprieties considering their age discrepancy. In any case, this is one of the greatest memoirs I've ever read as far as being interesting, and Priscilla was incredibly forthcoming in the details. For anyone who has never delved into Elvis history, this would be a great launching pad for further exploration.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing - Audiobooks who provided an advance digital audio copy via NetGalley.

I have long since made it a rule of mine to not read biographies written by people who weren't there at the time or barely knew the person being written about. So, naturally when it comes to Elvis, who better to tell his story than the women who was a part of?
Personal thoughts about these two asides, because at some point early on I did think to myself that if this was a work of fiction, I wouldn't be able to stand either of them. I enjoyed hearing about a side of Elvis few knew about, or as she even mentions, have tried to turn into something else. This is a story only one person could tell, and Priscillia Presley did a wonderful job in doing so.

As the title says it's about both Elvis and Priscillia Presley, but of course, it is her story so she would be the "main character," making Elvis a secondary character. Looking at it that way makes it all the more interesting, since he was the star that everything, including Priscilla's life, revolved around; so therefore, seeing him through the eyes of an insider, one who I now know so much more about, was enlightening.

It is not a beautiful story, but it is beautifully told and listening to the audio version of it read by Priscilla Presley herself, made it all the better. I especially loved the little moments while reading where she would sometimes giggle, it just gave the story so much more than having it read straight through.

Everyone knows about Rock'n'Roll Superstar Elvis Presley. The rise to fame, the voice, the gyrating, the sideburns, and of course all things Las Vegas. But most don't know about his personal struggles with substances, sense of self, a search for enlightenment, bouts of loneliness and depression, and struggles with infidelity. His wife of 6 years and longtime love, Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, shares all of that and more. Her perspective is unique having shared a life and a bedroom with The King for many years. She was just 14 when they met and literally grew up with Elvis by her side, and she takes us along for the ride.

This book was written in 1985, but just recently became an audiobook. My current favorite genre is "autobiographies read by the author" and this did not disappoint. Priscilla's reading of the book is delightful. She is endearing and sweet while still being honest and direct about the ups and the downs. Because the book was written more than 30 years ago, I felt as if I were reminiscing right along with her as she re-read her old words. She giggles at old memories often and you feel as though you're enjoying a hot beverage by the fire as she tells her stories of her youth.

I have loved Elvis my entire life and was super excited to read this one. It is a bit problematic hearing everything that happened to Priscilla Presley but it was interesting seeing a peek into that life as well.

I have been an elvis fan since i was 12 years old. I am now 30 years old. Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presleywas the first biography about Elvis that i read. I have read it over 50 times im just invested in the life and story of elvis. So i ran to the chance to review the audiobook. And didnt even realize that priscilla presley herself was the narrator. And now this book is million times better than what i originally thought. This book was a roller coaster. I understood as a woman why she needed to leave. But im also with thr masses that he shouldnt have been tied down to any one woman. But how can you rate this book less than 5 stars

Elvis and Me is a 1985 memoir written by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley. It was recently narrated by Priscilla and will be republished on August 23, 2022.

Since I was born in the 70's, I vaguely recall his death, and the resulting depression that hit my babysitter. I never knew much about Elvis's personal life. Just that his clothing, dance and music was transformational (similar to the Beatles). I've yet to see the latest movie about his life, so the timing of this audiobook is a fitting start to my education on The King.

The book begins with Priscilla meeting Elvis when she was age 14 and in the ninth grade. He courted her (with her parents permission) when they both lived in Germany while he was stationed in the Army.

By her senior year, she moved from Germany to Memphis, and soon moved into his Graceland compund with Elvis and his entourage.

Priscilla explains her obsession and complete codependency on Elvis, completely changing her hair, makeup, clothing, posture and much more...all to kowtow to meet his needs. Even before he put a ring on it, the distance grew between them when he was away on movie sets and rumors of romance with his costars flowed in. He increasingly depended on using speed and sleeping pills to cope.

Priscilla was ever the doting young wife, trying to make things work with a young daughter and managing multiple households.

But fizzures abounded.

"From my adolence he fashioned me into the instrument of his will," she wrote. "I lovingly yielded to his influence, trying to satisfy his every desire and now he wasn't here."

I'm impressed this memoir and Priscilla's vivid memory and ability to share the good and bad. It is excellent storytelling as she didn't seem to hold much of anything back.

Special thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the advanced listener copy of this book. The one thing that bugged me is Priscilla's giggle/laugh at certain stories. It just seems forced.

What an absolute privilege to get a peek into one of the life of one of the most iconic pairs in pop culture.

Priscilla Beaulieu Presley is such a great narrator! Right off the bat hearing things in her voice made the story more real. It was so fascinating to hear about her life and her life with Elvis. The stories were told with the good and the bad, and the reverence she holds for Elvis demonstrates the love she has for him.

Thank you to NetGalley and to publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ELVIS AND ME
Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Priscilla Beaulieu Presley
Memoir

This book takes you on a deep dive into Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s sometimes good sometimes rocky marriage. For the first time on audiobook this 1984 memoir will make you see this iconic couple in a whole new light.

This book was both shocking and disturbing for me. I knew a lot of it but did not realize the depth of the drug use on both parties and the emotional and physical abuse that Priscilla endured. I would give the audiobook a solid 5 out of 5 starts even if you have read the physical copy before.