Knee Deep in Paradise
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Knee Deep in Paradise is the title of an autobiography authored by actor/comedian Brett Butler, released in 1996.
The memoir is very direct, and deals with her pre-stardom life, prior to the success of her popular ABC sitcom Grace Under Fire.
Notable for its unflinching candor, Butler's book provides accounts of such tragic personal events as being abandoned by her father when she was 4 years old, being beaten by her husband, and the ubiquitous crutches of drinking, drugs and sex. It progresses to her discovery of stand-up comedy and how it helped to channel her creativity. She develops her career, sobers up, and discovers her true self.
Readers looking for the inside scoop on her show, celebrity gossip, or tabloid-style dirt-dishing will be disappointed, as these facets of her post-celebrity existence are unexplored. The strength of the book lies in the engaging and emotional power of Butler's writing, her intelligent wit, and her willingness to share all of herself with the reader.
It was published by Little, Brown and is available in hardcover (ISBN 0-7868-8914-4), softcover (ISBN 0-7868-6136-3), and audiobook formats.