FALL TO PIECES

I accidentally purchased this book thinking it would be primarily about Scott Weiland. After buying, I read some reviews snd some brief research online I wanted to kick myself even more. I was ok with reading a book by the late frontman’s ex-wife but not if I was somehow supporting a woman who was publicly bitter towards her ex-husband and extorting money from him. I immediately purchased and read the book I meant to buy: Not Dead and Not For Sale. I was not only glued to the book but felt true compassion and admiration for Scott more so because he never bashed Mary Forsberg (in fact, you could feel his genuine deep love and respect for her) and seemed to be able to reflect honestly on his talents as well as shortcomings (including how he hurt those he truly loved). Months after reading NDANFS, I decided to give Fall to Pieces a fair shake. I am ashamed that I so wrongfully judged a book, person, and life story! While Mary and Scott May not have had the happy “soul mate” ending both had envisioned (in different ways at different times), their ultimate story is one of TRUE LOVE. Like Scott’s memoir, Mary also describes the love she had for her late husband (and in a different way even now still does). Like Scott, she does not sugar coat the bad choices nor play a victim but also does not claim to know it all or to have been a perfect wife. She very plainly describes feeling hurt by certain events and doesn’t play it safe as to not offend any Scott Weiland fans or make herself look like a Saint. For that I commend her. The information she provides about mental health is also helpful for those struggling or those who know someone who is. There’s no fool proof way to search the Internet to know the true reality of what happens in someone’s personal matters. For all the rant I hear online that Mary demanded unreasonable amounts of child support and didn’t allow the children to see Scott in his last days, I also know there are 2 sides to every story. I recently read that Scott’s last wife was demanding thousands of dollars of Scott’s money post-Mortem from a prenuptial agreement. Apparently she was seeking money from prior to the marriage. Again there is no way to know the real truth,but in all honesty Mary’s book Fall to Pieces made me feel almost relieved and at peace. I thinks it fitting too thst her book came out first (not some comeback to Scott’s book) and in the final acknowledgements she expresses her gratitude to Scott and his understanding in her writing this book. I enjoyed Scott’s memoir immensely and reading Fall to Pieces helped to solidify the kind of person I wanted to believe Scott Weiland was (though not perfect but accurate to his own memoir). And furthermore, to truly learn the lesson that it’s not fair to judge others without hearing their side. It wasn’t just Mary’s describing Scott that caught me. It was how I could relate to her in many ways. And in ways I couldn’t, I know many other girls who absolutely do. I was blessed to accidentally fund and read this amazing book!

I generally pay little attention to the romances of the rich and famous, but a book co-written by the ex-wife of Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland -- who I've always been a big fan of -- was too much for me to resist. Surprisingly, I was riveted by Mary Forsberg Weiland's own life tale and not just what she said about Scott. She's led a riotous and unpredictable existence as a model, to say the least, and her autobiography conveys that to wildly entertaining effect.Readers will get hooked into her story right away during the prologue, where a depressed, anxiety-laden Forsberg tries heroin for the first time -- with her boyfriend, Scott Weiland. The recount dredges up a bunch of observations: It's fascinating to get an intense, firsthand look at what these celebrities are doing in such a sleazy environment, but it's also very sad. As the book proceeds, you eventually see that this encounter is just the tip of the iceberg where drug use is concerned. In fact, if ever a piece of literature could be used to discourage kids from experimenting with drugs, this might be it.There are lighthearted aspects to the book, however. Mary's stories and the way co-author Larkin Warren helps relate them are at times graceful, charming and funny. This is a hard-knock girl who had a rough childhood, a less-than-middle-class upbringing and a penchant for experimentation. In addition to her addictive personality, Forsberg was a prominent model who traveled the world and is still a huge music fan. Fans of Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots and even Velvet Revolver won't be disappointed; there's a lot of fodder about each.Especially interesting is the evolution of Scott Weiland, who Mary met (and fell in love with on the spot) as a 16-year-old model. Through her smitten eyes readers witness a sweet, soft-spoken 23-year-old guy who aspired to sing in a big rock band, worked days as a chauffeur, liked to wear vintage 7-UP jackets and was a genuine friend to Forsberg during her formative years. The first time Mary watches Scott performing onstage, she realizes there's a whole other musical element to him, an enrapturing one at that.What Scott Weiland evolved into was not always so innocent or admirable, but that's the beauty of Forsberg's honesty: No stone is left unturned (pardon the bad pun).In a weird way, Forsberg's book has elements of a ragged love story, albeit one that doesn't exactly end in the storybook tradition. Her meltdown memories at the end of the book put her fragility and bipolar disorder on full display, but the coupon-clipping, down-to-earth Mary makes you root for her. As the dust settles and her tumultuous years get put in the rearview mirror, Forsberg ultimately comes across as hardworking, devoted to her children, ambitious and seemingly level headed, despite a life lived in the spotlight. Hopefully she'll persevere after such a hectic lifestyle, and it would be wonderful to see her become a counselor and help others, like she aspires to.

I didn't find this book until after Scott Weiland passed away. What a sad life it was for someone with a mental and drug problem. I loved this book and Mary seemed to cover everything, the good the bad and the very ugly.

A lovely written memoir about love, drugs, mental illness and parenting. Great to read such honest memoir and i hope she writes again.

It starts as a beautiful story full of promise, but as it goes on it just disappoints. We don't learn much about either Mary or Scott as people or as a couple. The feeling this left me with was - what a sad life of two sad individuals.

Loved this book, read it in a couple of days, couldn't put it down. At times funny and insightful into her live and her life with STP lead singer Scott Weiland. Would suggest getting this instead of Scott's memoir Not dead and not for sale which doesn't seem to be as genuine and true as this account.

A heart-breaking and well-written tale of addiction. Although I was never a fan of Weiland's music necessarily, I was always intrigued by his addiction battle and what made him tick. This is forthright, up-close and personal. Recommended!