'Revelatory' book out in October

A new side of Joan Rivers is to be revealed in a new book, compiled from her previously unpublished personal archives.

The hardback contains scripts, letters from famous friends, exchanges with fans, rare photographs, and jokes she scribbled on everything from hotel stationery to airplane boarding passes. 

Described as a ‘revelatory and humour-filled insider look’ at the comedian’s life, the book has been compiled by Rivers’ daughter Melissa.

In an interview with Bravo TV, she said: ‘My parents kept tremendous archives and files. My friend, Scott Currie, who is like my brother, realised that there was an amazing book here. 

‘We went through all of the archives, basically from the 1950s forward and made it a scrapbook of her entire career, with things that have never been seen before. It’s fascinating because it's very much a social commentary.

‘I found the mid to late 1960s to the 1970s fascinating. She was always finding her voice and pushing the envelope, starting to talk about things that were totally taboo. 

‘When my mother was pregnant with me, for example, she was on The Ed Sullivan Show. You were not allowed to use the word "pregnant." You had to say, "I’ll be hearing the pitter patter of little feet soon"… Then you jump forward to The Johnny Carson Show in the 70’s, and they are talking about much more aggressive things on being a parent or motherhood, that people didn't talk about. It’s really fascinating to look at that.’

Joan Rivers Confidential, subtitled 'The unseen scrapbooks, joke cards, personal files, and photos of a very funny woman who kept everything', will be published by Abrams on October 24. Click here to order in advance.

Published: 3 Aug 2017