A Little Thing Called Life

On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner, and Songs in Between

By: Linda Thompson

Narrated by: Linda Thompson

Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

Award-winning songwriter Linda Thompson breaks her silence, sharing the extraordinary story of her life, career, and epic romances with two of the most celebrated yet enigmatic modern American superstars - Elvis Presley and Bruce Jenner.

For the last 40 years, award-winning songwriter Linda Thompson has quietly led one of the most remarkable lives in show business. The longtime live-in love of Elvis Presley, Linda first emerged into the limelight during the 1970s, when the former beauty pageant queen caught the eye of the King. Their chance late-night encounter at a movie theater was the stuff of legend, and it marked the beginning of a whirlwind that would stretch across decades, leading to a marriage with Bruce Jenner, motherhood, and more drama than she ever could have imagined.

Now, for the first time, Linda opens up about it all, telling the full story of her life, loves, and everything in between. From her humble beginnings in Memphis to her nearly five-year relationship with Elvis, she offers an intimate window into their life together, describing how their Southern roots fueled and sustained Graceland's greatest romance. Going inside their wild stories and tender moments, she paints a portrait of life with the King, as raucous as it is refreshing. But despite the joy they shared, life with Elvis also had darkness, and her account also presents an unsparing look at Elvis' twin demons - drug abuse and infidelity, forces he battled throughout their time together that would eventually end their relationship just eight months before his untimely death.

It was in the difficult aftermath of Elvis' death that Linda found what she believed was her true home: the arms of Olympic gold medal-winner Bruce Jenner. Detailing her marriage to Bruce, Linda reveals the apparently perfect life that they built with their two young sons - Brandon and Brody - before Bruce changed everything with a secret he'd been carrying his entire life, a secret that Linda herself kept for nearly 30 years, a secret that Bruce's transition to Caitlyn Jenner has finally laid bare for the world. Providing a candid look inside one of the most challenging moments of her life, Linda uncovers the struggles she went through as a woman and a mother, coming to terms with the reality of Bruce's identity, and resolving to embrace him completely no matter what, even as it meant they could no longer be together.

And yet, despite her marriage unraveling, her search for love was not over, eventually leading her to the legendary music producer and musician David Foster, a relationship that lasted for 19 tumultuous years, resulting in a bond that spurred her songwriting career to new heights but also tested her like never before.

Filled with compelling and poignant stories, A Little Thing Called Life lovingly recounts Linda's incredible journey through the years, bringing unparalleled insight into three legendary figures.

©2016 Linda Thompson (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

A little thing called life

This is a good read. Linda seems like a true genuine person. Someone you would want as a friend. Check it out !!

A Little Pollyanna Goes A Long Way

Is there anything you would change about this book?

It seemed like there was always a glossy coating that covered every story. It didn't always seem sincere. Like her lyrics, this story seemed a little forced at times. Her song lyrics are good, but they seem very crafted for each occasion. This book felt like that.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

It might have been nice to have someone else read the story instead of the author. I wish she could have been more honest when she described other people's bad behavior. There were some pretty awful situations that she dealt with, but she always put a spin on it to make it seem like she is a perfect and angelic figure who never gets angry. Maybe she is truly perfect and angelic, but it gets old in the narrative.

What about Linda Thompson’s performance did you like?

She reads well, but it sounded like she was reading a bedtime story to a child, rather than an adult reading her own story. It was a bit sugary at times.

Was A Little Thing Called Life worth the listening time?

Yes, but I wouldn't listen to it again. I even fast-forwarded through a few parts because the ending of each relationship always had the same tone---she said Elvis, or Bruce, or David did the best he/they could in every situation, etc etc etc. It just got old. Sometimes they didn't do the best they could. Sometimes they were just plain jerks.

Beautiful!

Very tasteful. Only I wish there was more on Elvis.. It was so refreshing to learn more about Caitlyn. Thank you Linda.

The author had me with "standing apart"

Good memoir - I admire when a person decides to place love, respect and empathy above making a quick buck, the spotlight and hurt feelings. Ms. Thompson takes the high road and taught a few lessons along the way.

amazing!!!!

what a lucky lifetime of priceless one of a kind memories with such relevant people

From the heart

Linda Thompson wrote a beautiful memoir, she sounds like such a sweet, caring person. The way she loved all of her men in her life is truly amazing. Thank you for sharing, I never knew all the beautiful songs she wrote. She is a very talented lady, everyone should read this book it is truly great

Amazing story

Truly an amazing story. Completely changed my
thinking not only in the Elvis story but about my own life. Weird to say but it’s true. Thank you for an amazing and inspiring life story!!!

Great Book!

Ive known about Linda's relationship with ELVIS for forty years ,but just learned about her marriage to Bruce Jenner .I finished this book in two days.Thanks for sharing your story Linda! (my secret crush).

A Labor Of Love - Soulful Storytelling

If you could sum up A Little Thing Called Life in three words, what would they be?

A memoir lovingly and generously shared with others.

What other book might you compare A Little Thing Called Life to and why?

Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son by Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez.A similar kind of soulful story telling.

Have you listened to any of Linda Thompson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Rolling With The Wizards Of Cause.

Any additional comments?

Really disgusted at some of the bad reviews I read. People can be so viscous and mean spirited. This is a very well written memoir and it was a lot of work. The stories are very well told and she made a concerted effort to portray people in the best way possible. She dragged herself up by the boots straps and put her best self forward to be valuable to others and worked hard to lift herself out of Tennessee. I know what kind of effort and determination that took. It disgusts me that there are people that pay a few bucks to read a book of work and trash it because it is just not possible for them to relate to someone with morals, empathy, and a desire to pull themselves and others up. The stories are generously told yet, I know she could have told a lot more and did not out of respect for other people's family and children. She was attracted to beautiful and extraordinary people. And she belongs with those kind of people because she is one of them. I loved listening to the book and it was a real pleasure. I was disgusted to find Bruce Jenner was a dead beat dad, while creating a lot of illusion otherwise. There is no excuse for these crimes of omission. But dead beat parents always have excuses for this. I wasn't a fan of David Foster before I read the book, but she made me one. She has done a lot to help, inspire, and lift up other people. I had no idea she had written one of my favorite songs before I read the book. She was a celebrity herself in Tennessee before she met Elvis Presley. That she committed herself to living in his bedroom sequestered for over five years with him, to care for him and devote herself to his well being, is evidence of her giving ways. Elvis had to be a very self important person to even demand that kind of sacrifice from another human being. I suspect his "generosity" was a ploy to illustrate his domination and power over others. To overwhelm them. I suspect he had narcissistic personality disorder. Thank you for sharing this story Linda. Standing ovation! May the red carpet continue to roll out for you and may you continue to flourish and prosper. That is a God given right when your heart is in the right place. And yours, clearly is.

Loved every second...

Where does A Little Thing Called Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favorites

What did you like best about this story?

I felt compelled to get online and write a review for this book, which is something I don't normally do. I am a memoir junkie and saw this book pop up several times in the "suggestions for you" category. I always breezed by it. I am not from the Elvis generation and Bruce Jenner and David Foster never really peeked my interest. One day I decided to buy this out of the blue. I am SO glad I did. Linda has lived an extremely interesting life! What I found most interesting is her outlook on life and all she has been through. She seems like a really genuine, loyal, and honest person. I loved hearing her stories from the years she dated Elvis. I also found her life with Bruce Jenner to be really interesting too. Linda shed some light on questions I've had in my head over the whole "Caitlyn Jenner" thing too. Overall, Linda seems like a really cool person, someone I wish I knew. I think her boys are really lucky to have her. It seems as if she was the constant in their life, as well as many others. If you are considering this audiobook, do it! I just finished it and I am sad its over! I am going to miss listening to Lindas stories!

What does Linda Thompson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I did not know much about Elvis before reading this book. I found that part interesting.