The Great Peace

A Memoir

By: Mena Suvari

Narrated by: Mena Suvari

A memoir by award-winning actor Mena Suvari, best-known for her iconic roles in American Beauty, American Pie, and Six Feet Under.

The Great Peace is a harrowing, heartbreaking coming-of-age story set in Hollywood, in which young teenage model-turned-actor Mena Suvari lost herself to sex, drugs, and bad, often abusive relationships even as blockbuster movies made her famous. It's about growing up in the '90s, with a soundtrack ranging from The Doors to Deee-Lite, fashion from denim to Day-Glo, and a woman dealing with the lasting psychological scars of abuse, yet knowing deep inside she desires so much more from life.

Within this vulnerable book, Mena not only reveals her own mistakes but also the lessons she learned and her efforts to understand and grow rather than casting blame. As such, she makes this a timeless story of girl empowerment and redemption, of somebody using their voice to rediscover their past, seek redemption, and to understand their mistakes, and ultimately come to terms with their power as an individual to find a way and a will to live - and thrive. Poignant, intimate, and powerful, this book will resonate with anyone who has found themselves lost in the darkness, thinking there's no way out. Ultimately, Mena's story proves that, no matter how hopeless it may seem, there's always a light at the end.

©2021 Mena Suvari (P)2021 Hachette Books

Entertaining

It’s a good story. She is a likable character. She’s a celebrity with problems…… that’s the story but it’s well told.

Very honest and helpful!

I really appreciate Mena's honest story about her life. It helps to know many women have experienced the same struggles. Together we are stronger.

The story

Mena Suvari is a wonderful story teller. I felt her emotions throughout her journey. This was a great story about life and perseverance.

Intense and hopeful but misogynistic :-(

Ok. So I’ve lived through many of the same experiences and I must first say that I’m really happy she came out alive. The story is well written, her performance is emotional but very clear and it’s an intense narrative of her life that I appreciate her courageously sharing. My problem really comes from the way she portrays many of the things that happened to her as just wrong, disgusting and immoral in all situations, not just when done without consent (which is obviously NOT ok for anyone to do to another person). It’s quite discouraging to read that viewpoint when, in reality and done consensually, using toys, having threesomes, etc is completely normal and acceptable. I, more than anything, hope she continues to work on herself to address the internalized misogyny to which she is still clinging. I am 100% against anything nonconsensual but this whole demonizing narrative comes across as sl*t shaming and really not ok at all. The way she speaks about other women is very yikes and reeks of her lingering confidence issues. Nothing screams “I’m insecure and uncomfortable with feminine sexuality and confidence” louder than saying stuff like “some woman” “a fckin STRIPPER” “big breasted girl” about various women you feel threatened by and predominantly identifying women by their physical appearance while describing men by their personality traits. Big yikes from a feminist perspective. Please keep working on yourself, my friend. <3

Sad and heartbreaking but peace in the end

Mena’s story is really really sad. I found myself just in disbelief by some of her stories and knowing they are her truth is horrifying. Hollywood is not all it’s cracked up to be. I’m glad she found her peace and her son is adorable.

Inspired ❣

Raw & incredible!!!
what is shared is courageous,spiritual, and a gift for all readers!! loved!!

incomparable vulnerability and honesty

excellent narration by the author. pain and well earned triumph thats ultimately inspirational. a great story for anyone that doesn't believe you can overcome trauma and heal.

Vulnerable

I love her honestly. I’ve learned a lot about myself by her story. She doesn’t pretend her life is perfect like most celebrities. I was not expecting such a honest book and admire her more now. She’s not only beautiful she has a beautiful soul who trusts the wrong people over and over again. Listening to her story was more like listening to my girlfriends on speaker phone. I hope she writes an updated book about her current life. She deserves a happy ending.

Well written. And great story.

Good story of the struggles of life. It's very well written and you can feel the passion behind it. Must have not been easy to write and publish but Mena shows her bravery and published this.

Mind blown&Amazed!

I grew up watching her throughout the years as a fan. I am a couple years older than Mena so our timeline is similar. Would never have guessed how similar and relatable 2 strangers can be simply being women! As I listened, forgive the cliche, but I laughed out loud, I cried, I screamed in anger, and I grit my teeth to speak under my breath thinking, "who the fuck does he think he is?!?!" Mena you have always been an exceptional actress. Through your writing, you became extremely REAL, imperfectly perfect, and a bad ass bitch! I say that as a compliment! I love and respect you more for sharing your truth with all of us. I could go on forever because this book is THAT good!!