Ariana Longson
Updated on: October 15, 2024 8:59 am GMT
Riley Keough is navigating heartbreak while honoring her late mother, Lisa Marie Presley, through the completion of the memoir the two worked on together. Set to be released on October 8, “From Here to the Great Unknown” promises to offer readers an intimate glimpse into the life of a woman often defined by her lineage as Elvis Presley’s daughter. Yet this memoir aims to showcase the entirety of Lisa Marie’s character, beyond just her famous last name.
Riley’s Emotional Journey
Riley Keough, 35, faced an emotional challenge in finalizing her mother’s memoir after Lisa Marie passed away in January 2023 due to complications from a previous weight-loss surgery. As she described in an email interview with People, the task was “incredibly painful,” but it became a labor of love and an opportunity to reveal the true essence of her mother. “Because my mother was Elvis Presley’s daughter, she was constantly talked about, argued over and dissected,” Keough explained. “What she wanted to do in her memoir, and what I hope I’ve done in finishing it for her, is to go beneath the magazine headline idea of her and reveal the core of who she was.”
In her role as both daughter and author, Riley hopes to convey not just Lisa Marie’s struggles but also her strengths, noting, “I want to give voice to my mother in a way that eluded her while she was alive.” This dedication is especially poignant considering the family tragedies they have faced together; Lisa’s son, Benjamin Keough, died in 2020 at the age of 27.
The Tapes: A Window into Lisa Marie’s Soul
To capture the essence of her mother, Riley delved into hours of recordings that Lisa Marie had made throughout her life. “The tapes are an incredible portrait of the force of nature that she was,” Keough remarked. Listeners will hear Lisa Marie’s varying moods reflected in her voice—sometimes vibrant and hopeful, other times vulnerable and open, and at other moments, distant or annoyed.
Riley remarked that these recordings offer a unique opportunity to showcase the complications and contradictions that defined Lisa Marie’s life. “Depending on the day and her mood, she can sound locked-in or distracted, hopeful, angry, everything. You hear her in all her complications,” she shared.
Lessons from Fame and Family
In a poignant excerpt of her memoir, Lisa Marie reflects on the complexities of growing up in the spotlight. She describes attending her father’s concerts as her “favorite thing in the world.” An excerpt from the memoir shared with People reveals her fondest memories with Elvis, highlighting intimate moments where she would ask him to sing her favorite songs.
However, fame came with its challenges. Lisa Marie expressed her constant fear of losing her father, a sentiment that resonates deeply in her writing. “I was always worried about my dad dying,” she wrote. “Sometimes I’d see him and he was out of it. Sometimes I would find him passed out. I wrote a poem with the line, ‘I hope my daddy doesn’t die.’”
This reflection not only illustrates the pressures of being Elvis Presley’s daughter but also the intense emotional toll that fame can exert on familial relationships.
Preserving a Legacy
Riley Keough’s efforts to finish the memoir also stem from a desire to craft a full picture of her mother’s life. She aims to portray Lisa Marie as a multifaceted individual, showcasing her attributes as a caring mother, a wild spirit, an underrated artist, and a loyal friend.
“I want to turn her into a three-dimensional human being: the best mother, a wild child, a fierce friend, frank, funny, traumatized, joyous, grieving—everything that she was throughout her remarkable life,” Riley stated, making it clear that her mother’s identity extended far beyond her public persona.
By finishing this memoir, Riley not only pays tribute to her mother’s legacy but also offers a chance for readers to connect with Lisa Marie on a deeper emotional level.
A Timely Release
From Here to the Great Unknown” is not just another celebrity memoir; it is a heartfelt homage filled with personal anecdotes, hopes, fears, and deep emotional truths. Scheduled for publication on October 8, the memoir provides a timely opportunity for fans and readers to celebrate the life of Lisa Marie Presley, highlighting the journey of a woman who navigated the complexities of fame, family, and fragility.
As the release date approaches, Riley Keough’s revelations and insights are sure to resonate with readers, creating a bridge between past and present, sadness and joy. This memoir offers a unique opportunity to not only understand Lisa Marie Presley as a person but also to appreciate the candid nature of her experiences as a member of one of the most famous families in the world.
Through emotional tributes and explorative narratives, this memoir could likely inspire readers to consider the multifaceted nature of identity and the profound challenges faced by those in the limelight. Riley Keough has a chance to redefine her mother’s story, hopefully allowing Lisa Marie’s voice to resonate long after the pages have been turned.
If you’re excited to learn more about identity and what we leave behind, the book “From Here to the Great Unknown” is going to be an important read. It promises to give us a fresh look at people we think we know well.
