I.M.

A Memoir

By: Isaac Mizrahi

Narrated by: Isaac Mizrahi

Length: 13 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

2020 Lambda Literary Award - Nominee

"Mizrahi speaks passionately...the warmth in both his voice and writing creates a singularly satisfying listening experience." (AudioFile Magazine, Earphones Award winner)

This program is read by Isaac Mizrahi, whose "warm and wry voice provides an extra incentive to check out this version of his story." (LitHub) 

“Isaac Mizrahi is a true Renaissance man. He can do it all! He’s managed to live several lives in one lifetime." (RuPaul)

Isaac Mizrahi is sui generis: designer, cabaret performer, talk-show host, a TV celebrity. Yet ever since he shot to fame in the late 1980s, the private Isaac Mizrahi has remained under wraps. Until now. 

In I.M., Isaac Mizrahi offers a poignant, candid, and touching look back on his life so far. Growing up gay in a sheltered Syrian Jewish Orthodox family, Isaac had unique talents that ultimately drew him into fashion and later into celebrity circles that read like a who’s who of the 20th and 21st centuries: Richard Avedon, Audrey Hepburn, Anna Wintour, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey, to name only a few. 

In his elegant memoir, Isaac delves into his lifelong battles with weight, insomnia, and depression. He tells what it was like to be an out gay man in a homophobic age and to witness the ravaging effects of the AIDS epidemic. Brimming with intimate details and inimitable wit, Isaac's narrative reveals not just the glamour of his years, but the grit beneath the glitz. Rich with memorable stories from in and out of the spotlight, I.M. illuminates deep emotional truths. 

Praise for I.M.: 

“I.M. has everything! It’s colorful, hysterical, touching, bold, and heartbreaking. It’s about coming of age, creativity, being yourself, Jewish mothers, fashion, art, loss, and glamour. I loved it.” (Andy Cohen, New York Times best-selling author of Superficial)

©2019 Isaac Mizrahi (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

Critic Reviews

“The key to the warmth and overall success of the memoir is Mizrahi’s unapologetic, bare-all approach as he shares the best and worst aspects of his life…a charming and witty memoir.” (Kirkus)  

Even better then I hoped !

I love Issac so I was really looking forward to this book . When I saw that he was the narrator as well I pre ordered it ! I binged it and loved every minute of it .

A must read in 2019!

In this social media world we live in, where we compare our insides to others outsides, Isaac Mizrahi's memoir is what we need.
His truthful personal story of being born an outsider and his struggles to create his own life are heartening and inspiring and overall just make you feel less lonely and more human.

Wonderful Narration of an Interesting Memoir

I enjoyed this book and especially Isaac Mizrahi’s narration. I think he should continue to write. I’m sure he has more information for another memoir, but I’m inclined to think he is capable of writing something else.

Great Fun with IM

As a long time fan of IM, I thoroughly enjoyed the story of his life. The ups and downs, his background and challenging family. Aren't all Jewish mother's alike? His early years with puppet shows, bullying and awkwardness. We can all relate in some way, others in many ways. His reading the story was entertaining and I laughed out loud often.

I am thrilled that he found love, the love of dogs, what I think he would consider success and hopefully happiness.

It’s Okay

I felt like this book was more for Isaac’s own memory of his life than for the reader’s enjoyment. There was too much detail about his early childhood that seems embellished or impossible to remember. Perhaps he really has that great of a memory but to me it felt over the top. Over all he’s a very interesting guy and the end of the book really tied together some things I didn’t realize about his career trajectory.

Genuinely uplifting

This is an intelligent, soulful memoir by a wonderful person. I am busy today but could not countenance not giving the props that are due. Very well written and read. I also grew up with Alba 66 “shakes” and weight loss meetings, also came to (some) terms with my body in New York City dance classes, am also in love with a man and in a family of quadrapeds. The descriptions of Midwood and lower Manhattan ring true but this transcends its specifics—a universal account of being oneself. Brave, revelatory. Highly recommended. Thanks Isaac. Love to you and everyone you love.

A master class on how to host a tea party without spilling any tea!

Fascinating insights & honest recollections from a self-possessed, confident and creative genius. A refreshing perspective from the last great American women’s wear designers.

Personal And Wonderful

What a great surprise to listen and understand this author's deeply intimate life story. I had known his name for years, but never knew him apart from being a world renown fashion designer. (Sorry, Isaac!)
This memoir is so personal and so introspective that I felt as though I had met him in person.
I especially loved the detailed memories of the styles, clothing and looks of all the people throughout his life. What is that old saying? You can take the man out of the fashion world, but you can't take the fashion world out of the man.
Loved his perfect narration and really feel that hearing him relate this book is better than reading it.

A lot to love

Isaac lays himself bare for our entertainment and pleasure. I simply adore his story. His specificity, his vulnerability, his humor, his charm, and most of all his wit and his love. What a wonderful, and abundantly talented man!

The Truth Also Rises

“Good writing is remembering detail. Most people want to forget. Don’t forget things that were painful or embarrassing or silly. Turn them into a story that tells the truth.”---Paula Danziger

This book exceeded all of my expectations! I was already a big fan of Issac Mizrahi as a designer and as a personality. Until I listened to him read his memoir, I thought he would be too guarded to really share anything very personal.

Thankfully, I was completely wrong about that. This book is incredibly honest and personal. The author is very brave to share so much of himself and his life so openly.

The structure of this book makes the complicated story easy to follow and engaging throughout. I liked the way that references were made within one section and the same incidents and themes were picked up in more detail in later chapters.

This allows the story to unfold in a natural way that brings an added dimension of intimacy. The events were presented so vividly I felt as though I was there with him all along and that together we were recalling our shared experiences.

Issac Mizrahi’s narration is outstanding. He is a great performer as well as a genius designer. His performance makes the piece even better.

I would recommend this book to anyone who already knows of Isssac Mizrahi’s work and the influence he has had and continues to have in many spaces including fashion, art, culture, performing arts, and business.

I would also recommend this book to anyone who needs inspiration and encouragement in their own life. Issac Mizrahi has survived many trials and tribulations, some of them very public. He has also risen above all of them consistently,

He shares his flaws and vulnerabilities in a way that is both interesting and encouraging. He does go into pretty intimate details so, this is definitely not a book for the prudish or the narrow-minded.

I have only two regrets about this book:
1) It ended
2) It failed to include any photos, drawings, or pictures of any kind!

Both of these regrets could be easily remedied. The man needs to share bons mots, sketches, photos, and memorabilia daily, perhaps in a vlog, podcast, or some brand new groundbreaking format.