Diary of a Mad Diva

By: Joan Rivers

Narrated by: Joan Rivers

Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Winner of the 2015 Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album

Following up the phenomenal success of her headline-making New York Times bestseller I Hate Everyone...Starting With Me, the unstoppable Joan Rivers is at it again. When her daughter Melissa gives her a diary for Christmas, at first Joan is horrified - who the hell does Melissa think she is? That fat pig, Bridget Jones? But as Joan, being both beautiful and introspective, begins to record her day-to-day musings, she realizes she has a lot to say. About everything. And everyone, God help them.

The result? A no-holds-barred, delightfully vicious and always hilarious look at the everyday life of the ultimate diva. Follow Joan on a family vacation in Mexico and on trips between New York and Los Angeles where she mingles with the stars, never missing a beat as she delivers blistering critiques on current events, and excoriating insights about life, pop culture, and celebrities (from A to D list), all in her relentlessly funny signature style.

This is the Diary of a Mad Diva. Forget about Anais Nin, Anne Frank, and that whiner Sylvia Plath. For the first time in a century, a diary by someone that’s actually worth reading.

©2014 Joan Rivers (P)2014 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic Reviews

"[A] visciously hilarious memoir." (Time Out New York)

ICON

Would you consider the audio edition of Diary of a Mad Diva to be better than the print version?

Yes, I like to hear her voice and her expressions of her own words. She is so committed to giving her fans the best. She had to read it to us.

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

she brings her words to life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

She will be missed.

Diva's Diary Amazes

When I came across this book I didn't hesitate. I had to have it. For me Joan Rivers has always been the best. The thought of a diary by Joan Rivers made me feel all tingly with anticipation.

This book was an amazing experience. I loved the whole thing. I wish that the diary would have covered every single day of the year for which this diary covers. Some days are missing. I can think of many good reasons why these days would have been missed and I do understand. We can't all have everything we want, right? Well, I sometimes think we all should have everything we need. Let me tell you this book came to me at a time when I really needed it. (I've been going through such troubles this year) This book got me smiling and laughing and that was what I was really in need of!!

Thank you so much Joan Rivers for this book. You're always amazing!!
I'm so glad that you narrated this book yourself, your words always need to be heard in your voice. You're unique and your voice is unique. I enjoyed this book so much.
It was very much worth the credit I used to get this book and I have already listened more than once. Everyone really needs to get this book, it's an experience you won't regret.

Joan is brilliantly inappropriate and hilarious.

I highly recommend this audio book only if you do not have a proclivity for political correctness.

Can we NOT talk?

Any additional comments?

I love Joan Rivers and I'm sad that she's no longer with us.
But this book is awful...actually, this audio book is awful.
I only made til March in her "diary" before I called it quits.
And I NEVER quit a book.
If you like recycled jokes and outdated pop references (Sunny Von Bulow...Nancy Kerrigan...Monica Lewinsky) then this book may be for you.
For the record, nothing really offends me...I get this type of humor and like it...but not when it's not funny. 2 jokes about JFK getting his head blown off...really?

Tedious and tiresome

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I loved Joan Rivers, but this book is endless one liners intended to shock. It ran out of funny in the first hour. Forced humor that would have been far better delivered in small doses. Just such a disappointment.

Like A Roller Coaster

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Sometimes yes - it was very funny and I laughed aloud all by myself.Other times no - some of her comments/jokes were grade school-ish and didn't make me even smile, much less laugh.

Would you recommend Diary of a Mad Diva to your friends? Why or why not?

Not really. I'm a Joan fan and I know she goes over the top and against what is "proper", which is what I usually love about her. But this book disappointed me more than entertained me.

How could the performance have been better?

This is who Joan is. She's the original "shock" female comic which I admire her for, but sometimes things she says in this particular book come off as trying too hard to be funny or shocking but they fall flat.

Could you see Diary of a Mad Diva being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

If it were made in to a movie I wouldn't go see it. This book was boring enough that I can't even finish it. I've struggled to get as far as I have but I think I'm giving up. I'm sure she'd have a plethora of snarky things to say about that. :)

Any additional comments?

I have a lot of respect and admiration for Joan Rivers. I love her on Fashion Police, I love that she walked out on that reporter, I am truly a fan. This book just didn't do it for me.

Vulgar

What would have made Diary of a Mad Diva better?

Less vulgar and have someone else read it. Her voice is so bad.

Would you be willing to try another one of Joan Rivers’s performances?

no

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

not for me.

Will always love Joan

There is no one around today as funny as Joan and as politically incorrect, which is what makes her so funny. I'm glad I got to hear her read this humorous book. I miss her.

Priceless, fun and crude- Just like it should be

Joan in all her glory and crudeness and loved every minute of it. Rest in Peace Diva

I love Joan Rivers but...

Any additional comments?

...if I hear her say "Dear Diary" one more time I may jump of a bridge. The diary format is a cheap excuse for being able to jump to and from whatever topic Joan likes. It plays more like a joke of the day calendar than a good read. Politically correct it is not, but that doesn't bother me. (She always made me laugh calling her maid "Ping Pong") Frankly, I was tired of listening to this book about half way through but wanted to complete it just so I wouldn't miss anything. I should have stopped somewhere around August. Really, it's not bad but it's for from being her best, and her delivery is not as sharp as I expected.

As acerbic as ever, but very US-Centric

Can we talk? Okay, when you buy a Joan Rivers book you have a pretty good idea of what you're in for; Outrageous statements, cutting put-downs and close-to-the-knuckle humour that is always skirting the edge of acceptability. And Ms Rivers does not disappoint.

That said, you need to be aware of a few things if you're considering buying this title.

1. Joan Rivers has always defined herself by three aspects; She's a woman, she's a Jew, and she is a New Yorker (capitalisation intentional) and through her years in the business she has focussed her act primarily on these 3 demographics. Consequently she makes a number of references to Americans in the public eye who many Europeans have never heard of, and therefore the ensuing vitriol and punchline falls flat. Imagine Al Murray doing a show in the US and making jokes about Ant and Dec, it just wouldn't work. Same thing with Joan.

2. Comedy has come a long way since the 80s and most comedians would agree that to stay edgy and current they often find themselves skirting the ragged edges of what is seen as acceptable. (UK's Frankie Boyle being a prime example) For me there are still some taboo subjects and so I found it hard to listen to Joan when she pokes fun at Anne Frank, Stephen Hawking, or the victims of serial killers.

3. The title is a misnomer, this is not a diary in any sense of the word. It is instead a series of Joan's stage topics, written in a diarist format. There's no insight into her life, her friends or the daily challenges of staying in the public eye as you reach your 60s.

That said I'll admit there were several places where I laughed out loud (once on the London Underground and boy did that get looks) and I am sure I will be peppering my party conversations with Joan's one-liners for years to come.

And as Joan herself says, "Why the hell not? I don't need 'em anymore!"

What a DIVA!

God, I miss Joan's humour, this diary is hilarious and so near to the knuckle they are bleeding! Great memories of a great comedic talent. Brilliant!

Disappointing

What disappointed you about Diary of a Mad Diva?

I loved Joan Rivers. I loved her outrageousness and unlike some other reviewers, I wasn't put off by her voice, after all, it's what we're used to hearing! But I suppose I was expecting something a little more informative rather than fairly average jokes/observations being linked by a calendar, I'm afraid I only made it to January 4th!

Like other readers have said, I very rarely don't finish a book, however bad and I've read/listened to a few horrors, but there's just no SUBSTANCE here. There isn't enough of what's done/thought day to day it's just digs, jokes and send-ups.

Perhaps I should just skip a chunk and see if it gets any better, but I think what I'm disappointed in is the format. It's not what I expected and not what I'm interested in. I watched a TV program of "a day in the life of Joan Rivers" and it was fascinating and impressive and that's what I was hoping this would be. It's not.

Would you ever listen to anything by Joan Rivers again?

Possibly....

Which scene did you most enjoy?

None.

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Not really.

Any additional comments?

Read the reviews for a better description of what the book is about. I listened to the clip, but that wasn't enough. I should have read some reviews for a fuller impression before purchasing.

Brilliantly funny

So funny just love her laughed my head of. Joan sadly missed rest in peace

Hilarious!

Absolutely loved it. Non stop laughs. I did play it at 1.2 speed though. Miss you Joan!

awerful terrible . hated it didnt bother to finish

hated it . wasnt funny . was bored of her very quickly. pointless. just not at all funny . didnt bother to finish it

Joan River's best work

Joan River's was like fine wine, she got better with age! I loved this book (and Joan) she was an icon for so many years I felt like I grew up with her. I will miss Joan's books coming out!

Joan saying it as she sees it

funny, harsh and sometimes a tad offensive but what do you expect.. It's Joan rivers telling it as she sees it..

gotta love Joan<br />

a funny witty and interesting listen. if you like Joan this will be for you