Additional information
| Author | Carrie Fisher |
|---|
The Princess Diarist
By Carrie Fisher (2016)
What the internet says
Aggregated insights from reviews and discussions across the web.
Overall reception: Mixed reception
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher receives generally positive reception online, with readers praising Fisher's candid, humorous writing style and her honest reflections on fame, mental health, and her iconic role as Princess Leia. The book centers on Fisher's recently discovered diaries from filming the original Star Wars in 1977, revealing her affair with co-star Harrison Ford when she was 19 and he was a married 33-year-old. Reviewers consistently appreciate Fisher's self-deprecating humor and vulnerability, though many note the book feels more like an extended reflection on her relationship with Ford rather than a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look at Star Wars. On Goodreads, the book holds a 3.59 average rating from over 90,000 ratings, with 35% giving it 4 stars and 30% giving it 3 stars, indicating mixed-to-positive reception.
While fans of Fisher's previous memoirs like Wishful Drinking generally enjoy her signature wit and openness about mental illness, some readers express disappointment that the book doesn't deliver the Star Wars production insights they expected. The diary entries themselves—love poems and musings about Ford—receive mixed reactions: some find them touching and raw, revealing Fisher's emotional vulnerability, while others find them repetitive or less engaging than Fisher's adult commentary. Entertainment Weekly's review describes it as having 'tremendous insight into the volatile heart of a young woman' but notes there 'isn't a lot of insight into the character or the creation of a movie that means so much to so many.' The book's publication shortly before Fisher's death in December 2016 added poignancy to readers' experiences, with many expressing sadness that she couldn't write similar memoirs about the other Star Wars films.
What readers loved
- Fisher's candid, humorous, and self-deprecating writing style that readers find engaging and authentic
- Honest exploration of mental illness, celebrity, and the absurdity of Hollywood fame that normalizes these struggles
- Raw, vulnerable diary entries from 19-year-old Fisher revealing genuine emotional depth and insecurity
- Thoughtful adult reflections on her younger self and the lasting impact of playing Princess Leia
- Fisher's ability to balance humor with serious introspection about identity, objectification, and being defined by one role
- Quick, entertaining read that feels like having an unfiltered conversation with Fisher
- Behind-the-scenes photos from Star Wars that delight fans
Common critiques
- Limited actual Star Wars production details or insights into filmmaking, disappointing readers expecting comprehensive behind-the-scenes content
- Disproportionate focus on the Harrison Ford affair rather than broader Star Wars experiences or other cast members
- Diary entries can feel oblique, repetitive, or less interesting than Fisher's contemporary commentary
- Book ends with the first film only, leaving readers wanting coverage of Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi
- Some readers uncomfortable with the portrayal of Ford or the revelation of the affair itself
Reviews
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