Gypsy

A Memoir

By: Gypsy Rose Lee, Erik Preminger

Narrated by: MEOW MEOW

The dazzling, no-holds-barred memoir that inspired a Broadway legend—Gypsy is a true American original, told by the woman who lived it with wit, grit, and a rhinestoned wink.

Before there was Mama Rose or Let Me Entertain You, there was Gypsy Rose Lee—a whip-smart, fearless, and gloriously complicated woman whose life on the road with her unstoppable stage mother and spotlight-stealing little sister became the stuff of showbiz legend.

Now back in the spotlight thanks to the acclaimed Broadway revival starring Audra McDonald, Gypsy is Lee’s funny, subversive, and poignant memoir of growing up in the ragtag world of 1920s vaudeville and emerging, against the odds, as a singular star of 1930s burlesque.

Told in her unmistakable voice—wry, stylish, and heartbreakingly observant—Gypsy reveals a vanished world of stage mothers, train-jumping troupes, and smoke-filled nightclubs, where gin was homemade and ambition was everything. Alongside rare photos and memorabilia from her own scrapbooks and an afterword by her son Erik Lee Preminger, this unforgettable memoir captures the real woman behind the myth: sharp, resilient, and always in command of her story.

Critic reviews

"... will delight anyone who has a love for the annals of the American stage."- Newsweek"This is show business, this America... this is Gypsy Rose Lee!"- Tennessee Williams"I found it irresistable. It's quite a performance. I bet some of it is even true, and if it wasn't, it is now."- John Steinbeck

A MUST for any burlesque aficionado

Wonderful to have this famous book read by a voice that sounds almost identical to Gypsy’s. Fabulous.

Loved Every Minute of It

If you love show biz, vaudeville, show biz bios, a wonderful life story told with charming wit, great insider details, and a lilting and lyrical je ne sais quoi, you will adore this book as I did. Perhaps one of my all time faves. There's even a wonderfully detailed, albeit sad, afterward by her son. I was enthralled. Everything I love in a memoir is here and then some.

A couple of noticeable defects: Meow Meow is exceptional but there are at least 6 words completely and flagrantly mispronounced. Really surprised the producer or editor did not catch. A revolving stage was revolting and patent leather shoes were payton....and on.

The book stops very early in her life and skips over her marriages, most aspects of any of her intimate relationships, except her mother and sister, her Hollywood chapter and the end of her life....Really wish someone would expand.

Would love for her son to go on longer.

More please! Who knew Gypsy Rose Lee was so intellectually brilliant and a mesmerizing show biz story-teller, like non other. Really captures that world and the behind-the-scenes of that world adroitly in a way that completely captures your attention for all 14.5 plus hours! So worth it.

BEST Autobiography Ever Read

Wildly entertaining. Incredible events happen in this book. Wonderfully written and performed. I think it's the best listen I've had in 2025. Truly laugh out loud funny and feels extremely honest and verifiable. I couldn't recommend it more!

Fantastic book, amazing true story!

I learned so much and enjoyed this thoroughly. a great read for anyone interested in American history, especially the Vaudeville era. Gypsy was a powerhouse and sooooo funny. I laughed out loud several times. Enjoy!

Fact or fiction? Who cares

Even if it’s mostly made up or a “fable” it’s a great story. I enjoyed it.