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“The Princess Diarist” by Carrie Fisher

Just the mention of Carrie Fisher may evoke images of insane hairstyles, laser guns and the galactic backdrop of “Star Wars.” There is no doubt she has been and will be long remembered as the iconic Princess and General Leia, an inspiring and imposing figure. Yet, Fisher’s story does not start or end with a space odyssey, something she explores in her 2016 autobiography “The Princess Diarist.” 

Fisher authored eight novels, and the basis for her final one comes from the diaries she kept during her time filming “Star Wars.” At the time, the actress and author was just 19 years old and had no clue that the low-budget film she was starring in was to become a cultural icon. Upon rediscovering the diaries, Fisher decided to write about how she came to be in the film industry, as well as how that industry impacted her life. 

Fisher describes the experience of “Star Wars” as something of an identity crisis, as playing the role of Princess Leia permanently changed how the wider public viewed her. This view remains true today, as many people consider Fisher an actress while overlooking her profound writing.  Her experience is written beautifully, as she both appreciates fans who consider her character a hero while also expressing her desire to be seen as more than one thing. 

As a fan of the “Star Wars” series, I found this exploration of identity redefined how I view fame in general. I never would have thought that being part of something as culturally significant as “Star Wars” could have such intensely personal negative impacts. 

At the time of its release, one of the hottest topics surrounding this book was the exposure of Fisher’s affair with her on-screen love interest, Harrison Ford. Ford’s character Han Solo and Princess Leia are well-known for their tumultuous love story, and fans had long speculated real-life chemistry between the actors. 

The story Fisher tells about her short-lived romance with Ford is not one of scandalous details but rather shares the tale of a young, vulnerable woman trying to find comfort and validation in the arms of an attractive, older man. Despite the clearly emotional experience, Fisher is remarkably respectful to Ford and encourages readers to continue to support his work, even some forty years after their relationship ended. 

However, as a reader, I found it was hard to view Ford as anything close to respectable. Fisher was barely a legal adult when her relationship with Ford began, while he was a grown man with a wife and children. In my reading, I felt that Ford was taking advantage of Fisher’s insecurities. Although I still enjoy some of his films, this novel changed my perception of the actor. 

The best feature of this work is Fisher’s inclusion of her own diary entries. These excerpts create a deeply personal and intimate relationship between readers and Fisher. Possibly the most remarkable effect of their inclusion is that Fisher’s creative talent is evident at such a young age. 

The entries themselves include different kinds of writing. There are typical diary accounts of what happened on a certain day or what she was feeling during that time. Also included are short pieces of poetry, much of which covers themes of love and loss. The poetry is deeply interwoven with the issues of Fisher’s personal life, including her complicated relationship with her parents and her conflicted feelings about her affair with Ford. 

“The Princess Diarist” is the last book Fisher published; its release was just a month before her sudden death in December 2016. I give this book a confident 10 out of 10 as an outstanding example of what a celebrity autobiography should be.