I always welcome new book that are written about my beloved Michael Jackson and read each one thoroughly but there are many problems with this and the main issue is the author herself; many contradictions and falsehoods which with a quick research can be debunked.
However, the main purpose of this review is not to discuss her history--although it is hard to ignore that important element but I suggest you check here for more information regarding that--I'm going to keep my review based solely on the book.
As an avid book reader ever since the day I learned how to read, I always made it a habit to dig deeper behind the meaning and read between the lines. I read Shana's book with an open mind and most certainly rigorously; I wanted to know what she had to tell and what is behind her obvious bitterness--from her own words and she did reveal herself.
The book starts with Ms. Mangatal going to her first Michael Jackson solo concert--the Bad Tour in 1988 (The first concert she attended was the Jacksons’ Triumph tour in 1981). Right from the Prologue you'd notice the first (and most certainly not last) unreasonable claim, quotation from the book: "He then launched into a beautiful rendition of his hit song “Human Nature.” “See that girl—she knows I’m watching. She likes the way I stare.” As his smooth voice effortlessly glided over the lyrics, he pointed right to me. I squealed so loud, he started smiling. I had been screaming the whole time, so there was no doubt he had noticed me before then. He kept glancing at me for the remainder of the concert and I was sure we had made a love connection." 20,000 screaming fans and yet Ms. Mangatal want to convince the rational reader that she managed to grasp his attention and establish "a love connection" this easily?
However, I tried to look past this shallow attempt that most certainly would appeal to fan-girls. The real story begins when she moved to Los Angeles and sat out to make it in Hollywood as a singer (she had no luck) or as an actress (she only landed small roles here and there) so to survive in California she had to look for a job, as she claimed, she first worked as a tour guide and then she landed a better job as receptionist for Gallin Morey Associates--in which she stayed for around 7 years. Some of Gallin Morey clients included Renee Zellwegger, Paul Walker, Mariah Carey, Milli Vanilli, Dolly Parton, Whoopie Goldberg, Martin Lawrence, Korn, Mariah Carey, Nicole Kidman, Paul Walker, and, unsurprisingly, Michael Jackson.