Confessions of a Bi-Polar Mardi Gras Queen

The second memoir from former Louisiana aristocrat Etienne is essentially a disjointed retread of her first, Storkbites, wrapped in the bland language of self-discovery lit and tied up with a funny new title. While covering (already-covered) topics like her abusive father, promiscuous streak, mental illness and brother's death, endless reaffirmation gives readers the feeling that Etienne still feels like a victim, and stock expressions of empowerment take the place of serious self-searching. With little in the way of conclusions or narrative arc, Etienne's tales prove frustrating and forgettable. If the tale of this desperate débutante intrigues, readers should pick up the first version (also available from Alluvium) and avoid this undercooked recap.