Last Girl Before Freeway

The Life, Loves, Losses, and Liberation of Joan Rivers

By: Leslie Bennetts

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Named one of "40 Gifts for the Book Lover on Your List," by Good Housekeeping: The definitive book about Joan Rivers' tumultuous, victorious, tragic, hilarious, and fascinating life.

Joan Rivers was more than a legendary comedian; she was an icon and a role model to millions, a fearless pioneer who left a legacy of expanded opportunity when she died in 2014. Her life was a dramatic roller coaster of triumphant highs and devastating lows: the suicide of her husband, her feud with Johnny Carson, her estrangement from her daughter, her many plastic surgeries, her ferocious ambition and her massive insecurities.

But Rivers' career was also hugely significant in American cultural history, breaking down barriers for her gender and pushing the boundaries of truth-telling for women in public life. A juicy, intimate biography of one of the greatest comedians ever -- a performer whose sixty year career was borne, simply, out of a desire to make people laugh so she could feel loved -- Last Girl Before Freeway delves into the inner workings of a woman who both reflected and redefined the world around her.

Critic reviews

"Highly readable.... Bennetts' clear-eyed biography shows why this ambitious, 'stubbornly paradoxical' woman who 'wasn't ready to cede the spotlight' continues to command our attention. (3 out of 4 stars)"—Jocelyn McClurg, USA Today

"You may think you know Joan Rivers, but I'll bet you'll be shocked by the revelations in Leslie Bennetts's irresistible biography. Before there was a women's movement or much hope for a woman in stand-up comedy, Joan made it by ridiculing everything she craved, from beauty and respectability to fashion and power. With unmatched energy and an ambition that made Napoleon look like Gandhi, she broke the boundaries of taste and commonsense-and widened the path for us all."—Gloria Steinem

"Joan was a great friend of mine and this is one hell of a book. A terrific read from start to finish, it captures Joan completely. Five stars."—Larry King, television and radio host

"The story of Joan Rivers is also the story of the trials and tribulations faced by talented and ambitious American women for decades, and Leslie Bennetts tells her story in riveting, surprising, heart rending, and hilarious detail."—Tina Brown, author of The Diana Chronicles

"Leslie Bennetts has delivered a big, juicy biography of comedy's First Lady that takes the reader behind the scenes in the male dominated entertainment industry. That would be fascinating enough, but what stays is a portrait of a woman whose drive is fueled almost entirely on self-loathing. We know by now that most comics are in great pain-this account understands the high cost of all of those outrageous over-the-top screamingly funny classic Joan Rivers zingers."—Betsy Lerner, author of The Bridge Ladies

"[An] affectionate and entertaining bio."—O, the Oprah Magazine

"In this first detailed biography of Rivers since her death, Bennetts reveals the woman behind the schtick. It's all here.... Celebrity mavens and fans of well-written biographies will enjoy this title."—Rosellen Brewer, Library Journal

"[A] fascinating biography."—Entertainment Weekly

"Undeniably dishy.... A fat and full book that will satisfy fans who want all of Joan in one place."—Ilene Cooper, Kirkus Reviews

"Thoroughly researched and eminently readable.... Last Girl Before Freeway is likely to be, for our time, the definitive biography of [Rivers]."—Jonah Raskins, NY Journal of Books

"A sympathetic portrait of the scathingly funny and ambitious comedian."—Tom Beer, Newsday

"Thoroughly researched and eminently readable."—Jonah Raskin, New York Journal of Books

Honest, funny and touching.

Balanced. Great read. Happy and sad. Brings Joan to life. What a shame to lose her.

Been there said that

What made the experience of listening to Last Girl Before Freeway the most enjoyable?

It seemed like a compendium of Ms Rivers own works. I kept thinking "Wait I have heard this before." Skip the book if you have read Ms Rivers books because you have heard it before .. from Joan.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

She died .. duh

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Okay, but expected more

The story, though initially interesting became very repetitive and became a drone of a story. It had potential, just found it disappointing.

Repetitive

This book could be interesting if told her life story but, she repeats herself over and over and really over again. I am on chapter 6 and heard some of the same things I would kind you not four times some line for line.. she may be a good author but, based on this book I would take her to be checked for memory loss.