Child Bride: The Untold Story of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley

Before I start off on my review on this book, I want to let it be known how much I love Elvis Presley. So anything that I can read on him is imperative to me. I read Elvis and Me about a year ago, and I had some very mixed feelings about the book. I had some unanswered questions that I feel this book got to the root of. I try not to pass judgment on people, and I thought before I even started to read this book that it would be a smear campaign. I was wrong. I believe this book got to the "root" of a lot of questions that people have been asking for a very long time. Reading some of the reviews on here I would like to "touch" on the Currie Grant topic. I wonder if most people know anything ab out the military. If she told her parents she was raped by this man, and Priscilla's father was a captain, he would have been under the brig--still. So do I believe he raped her. Not at all. As a matter of fact, I dont believe anything she says about him. I believe that as a military man at his age, yes he was nasty, but it happens all the time. These young girls go on base and get themselves into all sorts of trouble. Now do I think what happened (in his version of the story) is sad? Yes! I think she really wanted to meet Elvis and would do just about anything to get there. He even says he was wrong, but wrong doesnt mean it didn't happen. I think Priscilla was very grown for her age. I think she wanted to be something, groomed into something she was not. I actually feel kind of sorry for her. I think her mother pushed her, and I believe she pushed herself. She pushed herself into something she wasn't ready for. As to the Author, Mrs. Finstad, I think she did a wonderful job researching this project. She went to a lot of different people and I feel that everyone can't be wrong. Her school friends seem to have the same opinion of her--albiet not so "fluffy" it is their opinion. With books such as these you have to realize that the point of view you are reading are coming from people who are allowed to feel that way. If Priscilla doesnt remember things that way so be it. However you have to wonder a couple of things. One, Why would anyone's parents agree to let their 14 year old daughter go out with a grown man (Mr. Grant) in the first place? Second, why would they let thier 14 year old daughter go to the house of a known sex idol without supervision? These questions beg one to ask, did they have this thing planned for a while? I think the author answers all these questions in the book and in reality, all her answers make sense. One last thing before I close, why would they not allow her to know about her real father as well as his family? I think they should be bitter. They did nothing wrong. They had a right to know and love a member of their family. I think this is a must read. If nothing more then to get the other side of the story.

Well, everything now comes together and makes sense. Although the writer obviously took some quotes from other printed material, the interview with Priscilla and Currie together was most imformative. The homework was done for the compliation of this book. Most interesting and informative reading that now sheds true light on the real story of Priscilla and especially her mother Ann. The facts make sense particularly when in Priscilla's book she claims her parents were against Elvis. But what this tells a reader places all of Priscilla's missing pieces of the puzzle in place. Definitely a book to purchase!