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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Illuminating and interesting all the way through. I learned a lot and gained new appreciations for a man I already admired and respected. This book feels like the closure that news of Robin's death did not provide.
Heroic, Heartbreaking, Humorous, This is a journey of emotions with one of the best comedic minds as your guide.
I'm a child of the 70's/80's who grew up with "Mork" and many other unforgettable Robin William characters. He had an immense power to express a broad range of emotion, including humor and more serious feelings. Robin was a brilliant, likeable actor and comic, and he lead a fascinating life. The author of this book provides a full portrayal of Robin, and does not exclude the extensive drug use and insecurities. He reveals the truth behind the shocking suicide, which is in itself a reason to recommend this book.
I listened to this audio book at the same time as I read the biography, [b:The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers|38656999|The Good Neighbor The Life and Work of Fred Rogers|Maxwell King|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520605183s/38656999.jpg|60267584]. Robin and Fred are two totally different men, but I am surprised at the similarities in their childhoods. Both grew up as single children in wealthy families. Both were felt lonely in primary school. Both had attic playrooms where they used toys to create characters, almost "friends", that they then used to launch their careers. Robin gave personalities and voices to his toy soldiers, and Fred had puppets. As they grew older, Robin made much different choices from the wholesome Fred Rogers, so it was to my surprise to learn how touched Robin was when he received a note from Fred Rogers that complimented his work in Mrs. Doubtfire.
In addition to these two biographies, I also read Sally Field's autobiography around this same time. What strikes me about all three of these books is how these three highly successful people all worried about the stability of their careers. In particular, Sally Field and Robin Williams both struggled with their choices in which roles to accept. Both wanted to leave at least one of these roles behind them and to move forward with more meaningful roles. Both worried about future opportunities and making enough money. All three worked their butts off.
But back to [b:Robin|36609155|Robin|Dave Itzkoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1510882564s/36609155.jpg|58364536]. I recommend it this book anyone who is familiar with his work. It is an honest, well written, and thorough biography. Even Robin's biggest fans will be left feeling even more affection for the flawed, good-hearted, brilliant Robin Williams. May he rest in peace.
I listened to this audio book at the same time as I read the biography, [b:The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers|38656999|The Good Neighbor The Life and Work of Fred Rogers|Maxwell King|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1520605183s/38656999.jpg|60267584]. Robin and Fred are two totally different men, but I am surprised at the similarities in their childhoods. Both grew up as single children in wealthy families. Both were felt lonely in primary school. Both had attic playrooms where they used toys to create characters, almost "friends", that they then used to launch their careers. Robin gave personalities and voices to his toy soldiers, and Fred had puppets. As they grew older, Robin made much different choices from the wholesome Fred Rogers, so it was to my surprise to learn how touched Robin was when he received a note from Fred Rogers that complimented his work in Mrs. Doubtfire.
In addition to these two biographies, I also read Sally Field's autobiography around this same time. What strikes me about all three of these books is how these three highly successful people all worried about the stability of their careers. In particular, Sally Field and Robin Williams both struggled with their choices in which roles to accept. Both wanted to leave at least one of these roles behind them and to move forward with more meaningful roles. Both worried about future opportunities and making enough money. All three worked their butts off.
But back to [b:Robin|36609155|Robin|Dave Itzkoff|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1510882564s/36609155.jpg|58364536]. I recommend it this book anyone who is familiar with his work. It is an honest, well written, and thorough biography. Even Robin's biggest fans will be left feeling even more affection for the flawed, good-hearted, brilliant Robin Williams. May he rest in peace.
I think this book deeply captures Robin Williams both as a human and superhuman. We get to see all the pretty and not so pretty parts of him and his journey through life. The chapters are very long, and sometimes can feel like they last for a long time, making it a challenging book to navigate at times. It’s clear the author did extensive research but at times it feels like there is extra information that isn’t overly important. Overall this is a great book for anyone who loved and admired Robin Williams. I would say the majority of the book is not heavy - but the last few chapters will break the hearts of us who loved him and his work.
This was printed on the program at Robin's memorial service:
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Both an entertaining and sad book - great specific details on his life from a very young age to his confusing suicide. I grew up with Robin (time wise, not relationship). He was very unique but also had his demons. The book reads very quickly with many laugh out loud moments from his life.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This loving but interminable biography provides a fast-paced overview of the (largely familiar) facts about the comic’s life and career, but steadfastly descends into cliché and platitude every time the author tries to move beyond a narrative account of the icon’s Wikipedia page. It’s also hugely repetitive, suggesting that either Williams was a lot less interesting than we might think, or that Itzkoff is simply ill-equipped to document his quite fascinating life. Good enough to keep reading until the end, if only just barely.
3.5 stars
This is a very comprehensive look at Robin Williams' life, but somehow I don't feel like I know Robin much better. Through this biography one learns the exact trajectory of his career and relationships, but not necessarily the emotional weight of any of it. Perhaps this is the downside of a biography written posthumously--no matter how much the author is able to discern, you can't get the subject's own insights, and the friends and family may be reluctant to divulge without having his blessing. A key missing voice was Marsha's--if she did open up for interviews she did not give much away, we got much more from Robin's first wife Valerie and third wife (eugh) Susan.
I wanted to know about his thoughts, his imagination, his dreams and disappointments. Itzkoff does a decent job piecing this together via other people who were in Robin's life, but it was not entirely satisfying a work.
I don't think anyone could write a better biography of Robin Williams, but I can't help but wish for more.
This is a very comprehensive look at Robin Williams' life, but somehow I don't feel like I know Robin much better. Through this biography one learns the exact trajectory of his career and relationships, but not necessarily the emotional weight of any of it. Perhaps this is the downside of a biography written posthumously--no matter how much the author is able to discern, you can't get the subject's own insights, and the friends and family may be reluctant to divulge without having his blessing. A key missing voice was Marsha's--if she did open up for interviews she did not give much away, we got much more from Robin's first wife Valerie and third wife (eugh) Susan.
I wanted to know about his thoughts, his imagination, his dreams and disappointments. Itzkoff does a decent job piecing this together via other people who were in Robin's life, but it was not entirely satisfying a work.
I don't think anyone could write a better biography of Robin Williams, but I can't help but wish for more.
Slow start, but the pace picked about 1/3 of the way through and became very enjoyable to listen to.