Weller traces Fisher’s life from her Hollywood royalty roots to her untimely and shattering death after Christmas 2016. We follow Fisher’s acting career, her struggle with bipolar disorder, relationships, and startling leap―on the heels of a near-fatal drug overdose―from actress to highly praised, bestselling author.
... neither neglects nor glosses over any part of Fisher’s life ... As Weller illustrates so well in her biography, Fisher gave, and gave, and gave in this way, mentoring generations of people around the world just by living large with irrepressible honesty and wit ... Pulling from extensive research and interviews done with everyone from the neighborhood children Fisher grew up with to her extensive group of cherished friends, Weller knits these pieces together into an engrossing and meaningful look at the inner life of a woman who described herself as 'a writer who acts.' The result is a project that is breathtaking in its size and scope—Fisher lived a lot, and that is felt in page after page ... But like Fisher’s life itself, A Life on the Edge runs deep. It is less a long book than a very full one. It’s moving, truthful and a fitting tribute to its subject and to her unflappable courage and transparency. Reading Weller’s portrait of Fisher, you will miss her, deeply.
This engrossing, gracefully written, occasionally hagiographic book doesn’t just repeat the motto, it illustrates it, recounting numerous tales about how Fisher, who struggled with mental illness and addiction, managed to find the funny in it all — and share that with audiences, both as an actress and a writer ... reads as definitive, drawing on myriad interviews, media analysis, close readings of Fisher’s writing and at least one chat with a Star Wars groupie ... While illuminating how Fisher’s personal trauma catalyzed her wit, Weller shows that the life of this Tinseltown scion touched on major issues of our day ... [Fisher] hobnobbed with so many boldface names that Weller’s book sometimes reads like a parody of a TMZ post ... Weller’s biography seems to still shiver with the pain so many people expressed upon learning of Fisher’s death ... That pain may point not only to love of Star Wars but to the way Fisher’s story affirms our (sometimes) suppressed misgivings about our culture’s deference to fame and commercial entertainment. The emotion also echoes the poignant evidence laid out in this book, bearing witness to Fisher’s strength, compassion, talent and ability to alchemize pain into art.
Drawing from exhaustive research and interviews, Weller closely analyzes all of [the] interrelated facets of Fisher's story, from her countless accomplishments and vast social network to the disturbing side of her disorders. What emerges is a vivid and honest portrait of a brave, complex woman who had an impact on all who knew her. Extensive notes and a thoughtful introduction complement the absorbing narrative ... Well written and poignant, this is a must for Fisher's fans.
