I was 8 1/2 when “A New Hope” came out, and wasn’t old enough by the time “Jedi” was released to be one of those “geeks who jerk off” over the metal bikini. I was just amazed at the way Leia used the chain she was bound with to strangle Jabba. I have several dozen of the original (small) action figures, which I think includes four versions of Leia from the three movies. Since then, I have also enjoyed your performances in “Blues Brothers,” “Under the Rainbow,” and “When Harry Met Sally.”

I listened with significant amusement to your appearance on NPR’s “Wait, Wait… don’t Tell Me” in 2008, and have wanted to read “Wishful Drinking” ever since. I recently checked it out from the library, and finished it a few days ago. It is incredibly funny yet quite frank about your struggles with addiction and mental illness. A few years ago, I heard an interview on the radio with Kitty Dukakis, and knew the difference between modern ECT and the barbaric form depicted in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” My impression was that current t techniques apply the current to only one side of the brain so there is less effect on memory, but obviously there is some.

An old friend who I have known since we were in pre-school was diagnosed with schizophrenia not much more than a year after graduating from college and getting married. I was in medical school then, and anti-psychotic medications such as Clozaril were coming out then. When I was a 4th year student, I wrote a paper on “The Stigma of Mental Illness,” which focused on how the media covers diseases like schizophrenia, usually closely linked to violence. It was part of my work to earn a “Humanities Scholar Certificate.” Despite the significant advances in treatment of mental illness since then, and the number of celebrities (including yourself) who have come forward with their diagnoses, not a whole lot has changed.

I am a great fan of Paul Simon. I am not sure I have heard all the songs you quote, and probably wouldn’t have guessed they were about you. However, it could have been worse; would you like it if you were the “old lover” in “Still Crazy After All These Years”? Perhaps appropriate, but it was written and recorded long before the two of you met. Worse yet — “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” could have been about you.

The section where you describe discussing perfume with Bob Dylan was so funny, I had to tell a friend who is also a Bob Dylan fan. “Tangled up and Blown” made me laugh so hard I cried –I love that song and the album.

My 14 year-old daughter is possibly an even bigger “Star Wars” fan than I am, but there are many parts of “Wishful Drinking” that are not appropriate for her. I did however, read parts of your book (e.g. “Forty-three years ago, George Lucas ruined my life…” and “You know dear, we’ve had every sort of man in our family .. but this is our first homosexual,” as well as your comments about your teenage daughter) aloud to her, and she laughed.

For the past four years, my daughters and I have watched “Singin’ in the Rain” on New Year’s Eve. It is a great movie, and the chemistry between your mother and Gene Kelly was incredible. As the saying goes, “They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.” How many people in show business can act, sing, and dance (at the same time, no less) these days? My girls are big fans of the DIsney Channel, and we liked your mother’s performance in the “Halloween town” movies.

While I think the criticism of them was a bit harsh, I do like the Star Wars” prequel” movies, especially Natalie Portman as Padme Amidala. Have you ever met Natalie in person? I think it interesting that you are both Jewish, and that although her character is the mother of your character, the fact that the movies were made out of sequence means that you are more or less old enough to be Natalie Portman’s mother. What do you think of Episodes I-III?

Thank you and good luck.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE AN EXELENTE IT PRESENTS, GREAT ACTRIS (STAR WARS) And, AN EXELENTE I LIKE WRITER Y YOUR STYLE FORM, I WISH THE BETTER THING YOU IN YOUR LIFE AND BE VERY HAPPY, THAT IS FOR WHAT WE LOOK IN THIS LIFE, TO BE VERY HAPPY AND IN ADDITION YOU ARE A VERY BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.

I WANT TO DO CONTACT with YOU CARRIE OR ,YOUR MANAGER, FOR AN EVENT IN MEXICO.

I WAIT FOR ANSWER, I AM INTERESTED VERY MUCH YOUR ANSWER, THANK YOU

ENRIQUE RUBIO
MEXICO

I just read your interview at, uh… Popeater? Honestly, I don’t know much about you but the title of your new book alone stopped me in my thinking tracks. By reading Popeater, I learned that Carrie Fisher pops and zings. Thanks for shooting from the hip. Loved your comments on the teabaggers.

And, well, of course I’m glad your not, uh, whatchamacallit. But I don’t think you are too old to date. If you stop by Santa Rosa, Ca, for your book tour or whatever. Let me know. We’ll date. It will be fun.

Best,
Guy

As someone who has had shock treatment several times I had to write. You’re right about it being effective. The only bad part, at least for me, was the memory loss. That was hard but since it was the only thing that worked when I needed it I am grateful for it. The medications every single day is a drag but there’s no choice if you want to stay well. I hate that the meds make me gain weight but better than being in the hospital. I’ve never met anybody (outside of the hospital) that has had shock treatments and knowing that there is someone else out there that has gone through it and is happy they did makes me feel more normal. No one would guess I’ve had numerous ects so I never talk about it. Thanks for your honesty about going through it.

KC

Carrie, your book is amazing, can’ wait to have one soon.

Hello Carrie,
I have just discovered the legend STAR WARS with a lot of delay and I like this story. I read with attention your biographies and your difficulties as well as your wanderings after this success. I am very interested in your regrettably available book only in English. I hope that a editor will make the translation. I hope that one day I would have the pleasure to see you in France.
Good courage

An admirer