I found a lovely first edition of this in the oxfam. Having enjoyed GRL's novels I thought this would be fun. I have to say there was definitely a bitI found a lovely first edition of this in the oxfam. Having enjoyed GRL's novels I thought this would be fun. I have to say there was definitely a bit of culture shock for the vaudeville part of her career. What would basically be considered child abuse and animal abuse now, as the kids were taken around and made to perform. And it just seemed VERY strange, and why would adults enjoy that? And I suppose nowadays kids are just in ads and TV and it's no different really. But it was bizarre. When things got to Burlesque it was much more interesting, and I wish there had been more about that part of the story. As it was interesting to see how she fell into it all, and less than I'd have liked about how her career developed. The whole book came across as more of a novel, with lots of conversations recorded years after the fact. But it was still an interesting look at a lost way of life. And GRL was quite entertaining. Even if her mother was nothing but cringe....more
I thoroughly enjoyed this! A little idyllic in places but it was a really great firsthand account of British theatre, particularly Shakespearean theatI thoroughly enjoyed this! A little idyllic in places but it was a really great firsthand account of British theatre, particularly Shakespearean theatre for the 60s and 70s. Patrick was very nice about everyone and the only time he mentioned when there was a problem, he explained what the misunderstanding had been. It really was trying to understand others a lot more than a lot of autobiographies I've read. Also I don't think I've heard Patrick swear before. Highly recommended. ...more
This was lovely. I've been a fan of Katey's since Sons of Anarchy. This was a different sort of actor's biography. Just snippets of life, mostly musicThis was lovely. I've been a fan of Katey's since Sons of Anarchy. This was a different sort of actor's biography. Just snippets of life, mostly music, motherhood and mental health stuff. It was very interesting. It gave a lot of insight. The prose was almost like song lyrics at times. Definitely recommended to other fans....more
This was such a great autobiography. Danny has led such an interesting life, characterised by helping so many people. He's honest, about his mistakes This was such a great autobiography. Danny has led such an interesting life, characterised by helping so many people. He's honest, about his mistakes about his continual growth. He's never preaching. He's never bitter. But turns it all into relatable stories. Even at his "worst" he was still finding places where he could be kind to others. There were some utterly lovely bits in here. Including at 74 or whatever it was discovering what toxic masculinity was. I read the book but definitely want to listen to the audio book now too. ...more
When Paul O'Grady died I realised I wanted to know more about his life. He was the first (drunk) Queer person I saw on tv, and having grown up when evWhen Paul O'Grady died I realised I wanted to know more about his life. He was the first (drunk) Queer person I saw on tv, and having grown up when everyone I knew was homophobic that made a HUGE impression on me. So I bought the 3rd part of his autobiography which was about Lily Savage starting out. It was pretty fantastic. Down and out gay bars and straight bars. It reminded me of the time I spent among the Seattle drag queens of capitol hill in early 2000s. Still didn't explain how she became such a mainstream staple. But I guess I'll have to get the 4th book for that. ...more
So first a confession. First I have never seen Rent. I don't know any of the songs. I discovered Anthony through Star Trek Discovery and then D&D. I hSo first a confession. First I have never seen Rent. I don't know any of the songs. I discovered Anthony through Star Trek Discovery and then D&D. I had really wanted to have seen his show in New York but living in London that just wasn't practical but then I was really happy to discover there was also a book! So I bought this immediately.
It was utterly wonderful. Even though I didn't know the play it was fascinating learning about the casting and the progression. The tragedy surrounding it. And the juxtaposition between the very wonderful things of this fantastic queer musical doing so phenomenally well. Tied in with the very real tragedy of his Mom dying of cancer was so strong. Because that's so much of what life is, the ultimately wonderful and the ultimately terrible at the same time. And that produces so many conflicting emotions.
I found myself crying through so many of the pages as I was reading them. I lost my own father in May last year. While we both had several decades on Anthony and his mum, I felt the same emotions and felt like I was reliving my own grief while I shared his with him. His mum was so lovely and so supportive of him. The love she felt came shining through the pages. I also loved how utterly honest he was about the whole thing. What he found hard, how it impacted his relationships. When he didn't behave the best he could have. It wasn't the "perfect family" but it was real. And that added so much to the story.
And then there was the whole aspect of growing up queer in the 80s and 90s which I could also relate to. Even when something as terrible as a parent dying and he still had to watch what he said around certain family members. The struggle to come out to yourself and those around you.
I highly recommend this to people struggling with their own grief. Particularly those who've lost a parent. For by sharing it with someone else it is comforting. I've since found the songs on youtube. And will have to go and listen to them. And see how much I can manage before I start crying again <3 ...more
I read this as Beatrix dedicated her first book to Elsa. Her fist stage role was taking over from Elsa in the West End. But I always thought there wasI read this as Beatrix dedicated her first book to Elsa. Her fist stage role was taking over from Elsa in the West End. But I always thought there was more to their relationship than that. Elsa's stories of growing up with her socialist unconventional parents were highly entertaining. I could definitely see Bea, growing up in the big posh house, entranced by that. But Bea is never mentioned in the book. Despite being open about her husband's homosexuality. Elsa herself mentions women flirting with her, but always in a way that she recoils or is horrified by it. She mentions that Tallulah Bankhead was a friend who arranged an abortion for her and that she was always grateful. That every time she saw Tallulah when she was on a date with a man Tallulah went to great lengths to describe the man as ugly and dull. But never why. And I wonder what really happened between the three of them. It was interesting to read about Elsa's club and theatre work that she did. Her "wild" times which seemed to mostly involve taking off her clothes. And I wonder what were the differences between what you could do and what you can say you did from the 20s to the 70s. Unfortuantely when she met and married her husband Charles the book shifted. It became all about him and his work. Elsa seemed to have lost herself married to him. She also seemed to have a totally different idea towards activism and politics than Bea. So it's not surprising the two lost touch....more
A mixture of autobiography and biography it really does give a great insight into the mind of David Lynch and his films and art. I really enjoyed it. A mixture of autobiography and biography it really does give a great insight into the mind of David Lynch and his films and art. I really enjoyed it. Lots of interviews with friends and people he worked with. As well as David's on words on each era. ...more
I was expecting this to be an adult pop up book, with nice pictures to flip through. I didn't expect I'd find myself sitting and reading the whole thiI was expecting this to be an adult pop up book, with nice pictures to flip through. I didn't expect I'd find myself sitting and reading the whole thing cover to cover. I didn't expect to be in literal tears at the end of it. I love Kevin Smith, back at Uni when I was dating a wanna be filmmaker he thought everyone had to have a favourite director. So I picked Kevin Smith, partially to piss him off and partially because it was true. His movies were just the most real thing I'd ever seen. Listening to him on podcasts you just want to hang out with the guy as he's so relatable. The geek who made good whose just endlessly funny and entertaining. And this book is just like that. He's written all about making each of his films (as well as the podcasts and side projects) and it's a wonderful insight into everything. (Dear gods Bruce Willis is a giant dick!) And the little comments from everyone he's worked with are so sweet and heartfelt. It's definitely the feel good book of the year. And all the popups are really cool. ...more
Everyone should read this. It is so powerful and honest. It touches on so many important issues, particularly racism and mental health in the UK. I leEveryone should read this. It is so powerful and honest. It touches on so many important issues, particularly racism and mental health in the UK. I learned a lot reading it. Tears flowed through the last few chapters. We have such a long way to go to tackle the racism in this country. We need to acknowledge it and do better. The most encouraging thing to see was how mental health treatment has improved in the past few decades. Places where kids are able to get help, and mental health teams and not police are helping people in crisis. And yet there's still so much to do. A friend works in mental health and the cuts from 10 years of Tories means while treatment is better understood than it has been, there is very little that can be done because of so few services remaining. Please read this book. It'll really change the way you think....more
I listened to the audiobook version of this read by Peter Jurasik. I don't know if that was partly why I enjoyed it less than I thought I would or notI listened to the audiobook version of this read by Peter Jurasik. I don't know if that was partly why I enjoyed it less than I thought I would or not. Normally I read someone's autobiography and I just love them even more, but this one wasn't really like that. First of all I have a MASSIVE amount of respect for Joe and everything he went through. His childhood was nothing but trauma. His Dad really was one of the worst fathers imaginable. Literally a mass murdering nazi who was abusive to his wife and children. I was glad that Joe could escape that but I felt so sorry for his mother. She was a child prostitute, raped repeatedly and beaten her entire life. He didn't mention how she became one or who forced her into it. Only that his Dad started seeing her at 14. She escaped briefly at 15 but then was under his control the rest of her life. She had repeated failed suicide attempts. No way to escape. The first part of the book was relentlessly grim. What surprised me though (Especially from one of the writer/creators of Sense8) was the total lack of empathy Joe had towards anyone. When his younger sisters arrived he didn't become the protective older brother, but they weren't part of his story at all. To me it did explain partly why he can write such interesting and powerful women characters, but also how so few women seem to inhabit the worlds he writes in. (S8 being the obvious exception as co-written by women). But NONE of the writers he mentions are women, the people who inspire him are all men. He talks at length about how Superman is someone everyone can aspire too. Without the slightest indication that maybe he's something white men would identify with and not everyone sees themselves reflected in that person.
The self centredness continues throughout the story. Mostly due to his successses as a writer. Little things like missing out his wife's writing and novels. But seeing himself as "the writer". It became fairly obvious halfway through that there was some aspergers and PTSD. Which he did finally get diagnosed in the early 2000s. He seems to focus on how successful he was despite his upbringing. But there seems to be little awareness of how it effected him in other ways. His inability to form friendships or have lasting relationships with people. Until his successful movie career in his 50s you don't get a sense of happiness or joy from any of his accomplishments. It seems that though he has a successful career everything else in his life suffered. The lack of insight and empathy is really kinda staggering for a guy who did a psychology degree. It comes across as LOOK at how successful I am despite having this awful childhood. And it was a TRULY awful childhood. I feel a lot of sympathy for him for that, and for his mom and his sisters for that nightmare. But it clearly left scars he totally ignores and doesn't deal with.
His writing about comics is odd. He gives full details of his first comic series, writing ideas, going to the publishers etc. How it was a success and what he did next Without ONCE mentioning the artists who worked on it... And he was dismissive of non-superhero/indie comics because they were "artist works" rather than writer.... He includes every word he wrote for his 9/11 spiderman comic which is a short essay on loss. Mentions how it was a huge success. But only mentions the artist by name and said he did a good job with the visuals. Nothing about what amazing work it must have been to turn those words into something for people to look at.
There were some incredibly touching parts. He goes into a lot of detail about Michael O'Hare's mental breakdown. Which was even worse than I had imagined. (And made me think even less of Jerry Doyle than I already did). He talks at length about rescuing a kitten from a drain on the 4th of July which was very sweet.
Also a little sad then when he talks about Jerry and Jeff's loosing battle to alcoholism he fails to mention Claudia's own success story.
It was an interesting read but also quite brutal. ...more
I wasn't going to read this but Chris was doing a talk and a signing at the National Theatre so I got a copy. It was very interesting and I'm glad I rI wasn't going to read this but Chris was doing a talk and a signing at the National Theatre so I got a copy. It was very interesting and I'm glad I read it. At the talk he mentioned he had a ghost writer which I found very off putting at first. It was all written first person and I wanted to know which bits were actually Chris and which were the writer filling in. I saw it as a transcription of an oral history and I would rather have had it as the raw oral history than the polished for consumers version. But I don't think that would have sold as well. Also for SUCH a personal story to have it that way just rang a bit false. That said it is DEFINITELY worth reading and utterly wonderful! I cried quite a bit! It was a lot more autobiography than I had expected. I thought it was just about dealing with his Dad's dementia. I found the growing up stuff less interesting, there was a lot of watching tele. But the parts when he was talking about being an adult it was fascinating. The chapters dealing with his anorexia and depression were so honest and open. Likewise talking about masculinity and the politics of what that means to be a working class man were fascinating and quite sad. Reading it you realise how much we all have in common. The parts dealing with his Dad's dementia I recommend to everyone whose got a parent or a loved one going through that. While it wasn't blatant within his own narrative there was a definite theme of how Chris had grown through the illness and through having children, from having his world be about him, to doing what he could to take care of the people around him. The shift I think is how this book came to be as he went from thinking about himself to thinking how these experiences could help others. As the issues are discussed not in an egotistical way but as a way to connect to people who are going through the same thing. Or know someone going through the same thing. For that is brilliant. I have always admired Chris as an actor but now I admire him as a person as well. He stands up for what he thinks is right. One question I was left with was why his left wing Labour voting father started reading the daily mail. I think that is the key to understanding how things like Brexit have happened. What was the shift there? But I highly recommend this book. Even though I already have a signed copy the next time he does a convention I'm going to get an autograph from him. Just so I can thank him again for this. ...more
Watching the new series of Twin Peaks this summer convinced me that David Lynch is actually a genius. Now I need to go and find everything he's done. Watching the new series of Twin Peaks this summer convinced me that David Lynch is actually a genius. Now I need to go and find everything he's done. I love how he's so clear in his vision and uncompromising in what he wants. So much of what he does is dark, but this book is all light. It's a wonderful insight into his philosophy, where he comes from and the feelings that he has about his work. It was short and lovely, and really all it needed to be. A glorious look at creativity, and seeing the beauty in life. ...more
Written in the 50s she didn't admit to much! She mentioned once using cocaine and heroine, but nothing at all about her sexuality, (or Bea and not mucWritten in the 50s she didn't admit to much! She mentioned once using cocaine and heroine, but nothing at all about her sexuality, (or Bea and not much about the plays she did with Bea). Instead she focused a lot on her early life. It was an interesting read, but not as amusing or as interesting as her reputation would lead me to expect. There seemed to be too much focus on putting the record straight and counteracting the legend around her, without much about what she was doing. But still useful and I'm glad I did read it....more
I found out that Berthold's wife had written her autobiography via the rather awful scandalous book, Sappho in Hollywood. But reading that was worth iI found out that Berthold's wife had written her autobiography via the rather awful scandalous book, Sappho in Hollywood. But reading that was worth it to have found this. It was a fascinating book covering so much of early 20th century history. It started a little slowly with her being a young aspiring actress falling in love with various older, married men. But once the first world war broke out I was hooked. It was such an insightful and personal look at life during the first half of the 20th century. Salka's family were wealither, sectarian Jews, but it was fascinating to see how being Jewish in Germany affected her and her husband so much. There were grim accounts of the first world war. Particuarly stiring accounts of the hyper inflation and the problems it caused. One part where she was taking the train with her young sons and wasn't able to continue her journey as the money she'd left with wasn't enough to buy a ticket to continue their journey and someone had to buy a 3rd class tickets and peasants shared their food with her. In contrast to this was her life in Hollywood, She moved there in the early 30s when her husband had been offered film work. He ended up not staying long in Hollywood, but Salka became a script writer for Hollywood. She became friends with Greta Garbo and wrote scripts for her. She was making the huge sum of $1000 a week, most of which she spent helping friends and relatives who were stuck in Europe, vast sums went to help her mother get out of Russia once war broke out. After the war she became active in the civil rights movement, offering her spare room to an inter-racial couple. She met Beatrix, who her husband was living with at that point (all quite amicably), and the two got on really well. It was very refreshing to read about people who were born at the turn of the 20th century who had such "modern" views towards marriage and relationships. They all seemed like people I would totally hang out with. Now I wish my German was better so I could read, Ich liebe dich. Für immer: Greta Garbo und Salka Viertel by Nicole Nottelmann. In the biography Salka mentions the men she was having "affairs" with, but with Greta there wasn't a hint any romance in her autobiography. (Though knowing her husband was having an affair with another notorious bisexual I wouldn't be terribly surprised if it was true). ...more
You can't beat Carrie Fisher's one woman show. It is brutally honest and highly entertaining. The book is the show in book form. I've read the book beYou can't beat Carrie Fisher's one woman show. It is brutally honest and highly entertaining. The book is the show in book form. I've read the book before and didn't love it as much as her novels, because she reuses a LOT of the same jokes. Here it's told as real life rather than thinly veiled fiction. But I decided to get the audio version and it is great to listen to. Cause what better way to hear Carrie's life than her her tell it. And in the audio book she does tell the story rather than read it. For the memoirs I'd definitely recommend the audio books! ...more
Having enjoyed the Fivish Doctors and seen Peter Davison at a convention, and most importantly knowing he was in a tv show with Beatrix I borrowed a cHaving enjoyed the Fivish Doctors and seen Peter Davison at a convention, and most importantly knowing he was in a tv show with Beatrix I borrowed a copy of this from the library. It was highly entertaining. Peter kept the whole thing flowing with little anecdotes from when he appeared in Gypsey (most of which involved Imelda Staunton swearing a lot). It was funny, self deprecating, information and had a wonderful description of being on pills! One I'd recommend to tv fans and doctor who fans. ...more
I am very glad I read Nichelle Nichols' autobiography. She had me in tears so many times reading this. The amount of racism that she had to deal with I am very glad I read Nichelle Nichols' autobiography. She had me in tears so many times reading this. The amount of racism that she had to deal with was just staggering. I think most people who like Star Trek have heard her tell the story of how she was going to quit after the first season but Martin Luther King told her how important it was that she stay. Now she says that she was quiting because she wanted to return to musical theatre, or because her part was too small. But in the book it is very clear it was because of the racism within the studio and on the set. She had to deal with the studio refusing to give her a regular contract because she was a black woman, instead she got a day rate and Gene Roddenberry made damn sure she was on the set every day so they'd have to pay her more than if she had a contract. She didn't get her fan mail, and faced racial abuse by make up people and security.
Yet despite all that she was fearless and strong. She was very proud of what she achieved. It was fascinating to read her early family history. Her mixed race grandparents who married at the end of slavery, moving north and being entirely cut of from her grandfather's rich white (ex-slaveowning) family. The way she was treated as the "black" daughter of a "white" man. It was an incredible glimpse of social history.
Then it was fascinating to learn about how she was involved in promoting more equality in NASA and managed to have a real and huge impact on the number of applicants they were having from women and BME people.
It was disappointing to read on here that despite these struggles hard core Shatner fans are still slamming her book cause they think she was too hard on him. Personally I thought she was very balanced, giving stories where she saw him at his best as well as his worst.
I thought it was an entertaining and inspiring book. One that directly addresses America's racist past and looks with hope towards a better future....more
This is my 3rd time reading this book, well once read twice listened! Every time he moves me to tears and makes me laugh out loud. The insight into deThis is my 3rd time reading this book, well once read twice listened! Every time he moves me to tears and makes me laugh out loud. The insight into depression and mental health and how you can heal yourself, learn to love yourself, and others and move forward is just so powerful and wise. How you deal with the same things over and over but each time it gets a bit easier and you move forward a bit more. You move that much closer to your authentic self. Every time I hear this I get something new and it helps me that much more. The anti-consumerism chapter is a true thing of beauty. Striving to find the art and beauty in a world where it matters so little. Meeting Ron this year I thanked him for this, it means so much that he wrote this down. That he was that honest and that open and doing it so we can all share in his experiences and realise we aren't alone but are all conected. I fucking love this man.
On first reading Fucking brilliant! Ron gives a great insight into his life and work. How he grew up, who the people are who've influenced him the most. What it was like to be the "fat kid", how low self esteem can haunt you even when you are successful. He talks openly about his depression, a suicide attempt and how therapy has managed to turn around the way he sees himself. I cried several times reading this, on the tube, at work, but don't think this was told in a depressing way. It was told through some of the most amusing and funny stories you'll read.
I've been a fan of Ron's since the days of Beauty and the Beast. That show taught me everything I knew about love and acceptance. Things that were virtually nonexistence in my own life so I took what I could from the way Vincent and Catherine treated each other. And buried the words they said to each other deep in my heart. It was great reading this book to see how much respect Ron had for the show and what it was trying to do. There's always a worry that something could be just a job, but he got it. He also mentioned how Linda's bipolar disorder affected her work, even though they didn't know what it was then. How he tried to create a safe space for her when she was having one of her bad days. How he was so impressed with everything she'd done speaking up about her mental illness and the work she'd done to promote mental health issues. One of the many times I cried.
One of the stories that stuck with me the most was when Ron heard that Quest for fire had definitely been cancelled. How he had a 100 bucks left and went to watch baseball, getting the best ticket and buying beers for everyone seated with him. While I personally don't care at all for baseball. I LOVED this idea of meeting disappointment with celebration. There was also a wonderful moment when he talked about how he'd come to terms with not being successful or famous. When he realised if he didn't get any more roles he could return to New York and teach and as long as his wife and children. Which was lovely.
There were also stories of him meeting his idols Frank Sinatra and Marlon Brando which were very funy! (Turns out Frank always had his family tape Beauty and the Beast). The Marlon Brando story was one of the few times he talked in detail about working on a set.
He was also discreetly talking about when things worked and when they didn't on Sons of Anarchy. Which I totally agreed with.
Then there were the last two chapters which were an AMAZING and inspiring rant about how shit Hollywood has become. How corporations have control over everything and have ruined it all. How lawyers and marketing are turning out the worst shit, how there is so little actual art left and how his goal is to try and produce things worthwhile in the years he has left. Ron is very honest in the book about all the work he did to support his family. Things that were just a paycheck because he had kids at private school and to him being a father who could provide for them was the most important thing.
I read this book because decades ago Ron played a character who inspired me more than anything else I'd known. Years later I'm so glad to have read this as now I'm inspired by the person behind the character. One who presents the best and worst parts of themselves and is always looking for the better.
I listened to the audio book of Ron reading this. It took much longer to hear him tell it. But it was also great to hear it in his own voice. Still overwhelmed by his honesty and openness reading this. The last two chapters are just so inspiring. Exactly what we need right now. The stories are entertaining, the impersonations amusing, and connects with the common humanity in all of us....more
Heart were one of my favourite bands as a teenager. I loved their music and their lyrics. Having lived in Seattle I knew they were from Bellevue, knewHeart were one of my favourite bands as a teenager. I loved their music and their lyrics. Having lived in Seattle I knew they were from Bellevue, knew Nancy was married to Cameron Crowe, but that's all I knew. This was a really good insight into the lives of the Wilson sisters, growing up Army brats, not fitting in anywhere and their overwhelming desire to make music. The book gave a good overview of the band, the inspiration for some of the songs and albums, the difficult times, the relationships, the parties. Nothing was too in depth or too personal but reading it I got a much better understanding of how everything fit together. Ann and Nancy both came across as very different but I found reading it the styles of writing were so similar that I often couldn't tell which one was speaking. I know there is an audio book version, which I think would be better to listen to than to read for that reason. I was very happy to read that Nancy's favourite song was Mistral wind, as it's always been mine and I thought it was more obscure. I liked hearing about how very different (and honestly rather unpleasant) things were at Capitol. How much record labels shape things in the 80s. Yes they made much more money but it wasn't as good music, and explained why I preferred the albums that were earlier that they made and wrote themselves. It also made me want to get their newer albums which they wrote themselves, as reading the lyrics and hearing the stories behind them I found to be inspiring.
The thing that really hit home was Ann talking about her weight. I remember seeing them in concert as a teenager and thinking she was pregnant, and then seeing them again on the next tour and realising instead she was fat. Which as a girl who was constantly being shamed for her weight I actually found inspiring. If this glorious singer could be fat and beautiful why should I worry so much? It was heartbreaking to read though that Ann was so upset by it. That she thought she should have been shamed into being thin. That she couldn't accept it. The memories of her being weighed in front of the whole class was something I remember so clearly from my own days at school when in 6th grade they made us all line up in weight order and I was about 2 people from the back. I would like to think that she found more peace about it. It seems like everyone from her boyfriends to her critics never let her accept herself. Finally she seemed to have only gained acceptance through surgery and staying thinner. Though at the very end she did seem to have found a bit of peace about it.
Heart were one of the most inspirational bands for me growing up. I still listen to their records and would definitely recommend this book to other fans....more
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