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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
The book started a little slow for me (maybe because it was all his stuff before I was alive) but got better as it went on. I loved hearing about his life, good and bad, as well as his career and movies. Such a unique individual. You get his whole lifespan and story in this book.
“Robin Williams was once in a lifetime, and his lifetime was now very much over.”
This is going to be a bit of a personal review so get ready for it.
Growing up, Mrs. Doubtfire was my families go-to movie and guilty pleasure. Whenever this movie was on television, whether it be from the beginning, middle or the end, my dad would put it on and talk about the comedic genius Robin Williams was.
Going off on that, one of my favourite movies of all time is Dead Poets Society, mainly due to his phenomenal acting as Professor Keating and as a teenager, hoping one day I’d get an awesome professor like him one day, who wants their students to be free-minded thinkers.
I remember his death vividly.. being a 13 year old, I’ve never experienced grief over a celebrity before until him. I remember my mom finding out about his death first and calling me, hoping to god I didn’t find out yet, but it was too late. As I answered her call, I saw his name trending and when I found out how and why, my heart sunk. I remember that weekend, not coming out of my room, unless I truly had to, and just watched his movies, his stand-ups, and television shows. I didn’t realize how much of an impact he made on me, until he was gone.
Now, oddly enough when New Years hit for 2024, he came into my mind and that’s when I realized, this year marks 10 years since his death, holy fuck. I knew I had to re-read this book since its been a long while, and I couldn’t stop crying.
I guess I’ll end it like this… O’Captain, my Captain, I salute you, thank you for everything.
1 down, 39 to go.
This is going to be a bit of a personal review so get ready for it.
Growing up, Mrs. Doubtfire was my families go-to movie and guilty pleasure. Whenever this movie was on television, whether it be from the beginning, middle or the end, my dad would put it on and talk about the comedic genius Robin Williams was.
Going off on that, one of my favourite movies of all time is Dead Poets Society, mainly due to his phenomenal acting as Professor Keating and as a teenager, hoping one day I’d get an awesome professor like him one day, who wants their students to be free-minded thinkers.
I remember his death vividly.. being a 13 year old, I’ve never experienced grief over a celebrity before until him. I remember my mom finding out about his death first and calling me, hoping to god I didn’t find out yet, but it was too late. As I answered her call, I saw his name trending and when I found out how and why, my heart sunk. I remember that weekend, not coming out of my room, unless I truly had to, and just watched his movies, his stand-ups, and television shows. I didn’t realize how much of an impact he made on me, until he was gone.
Now, oddly enough when New Years hit for 2024, he came into my mind and that’s when I realized, this year marks 10 years since his death, holy fuck. I knew I had to re-read this book since its been a long while, and I couldn’t stop crying.
I guess I’ll end it like this… O’Captain, my Captain, I salute you, thank you for everything.
1 down, 39 to go.
SO well done. So comprehensive so thoughtfully compiled. I’m a biography girlie OFFICIALLY.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
This never felt long, but I don't know if I could ever get enough stories about this man and his life and career. Direct quotes run throughout, and Itzkoff's research is deep and thoughtful. I appreciate the book for spanning Robin's life and beyond. Deep gratitude, love and respect to his family and everyone who participated to craft this picture of such a beloved individual.
Fred Berman narrates well, and captures Robin's cadence and delivery in direct quotes enough that my imagination easily covered the rest.
cw for ch19 - unaliving, its lead-up and immediate aftermath
Fred Berman narrates well, and captures Robin's cadence and delivery in direct quotes enough that my imagination easily covered the rest.
cw for ch19 - unaliving, its lead-up and immediate aftermath
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Dementia
This is only the second memoir of famous folks that I have read. What did I learn? The statement don't ever meet your heroes is true. This was heartbreaking.
“And when he was gone, we all wished we’d had him just a little bit longer.”
This is incredibly informative and marvelously written. Combine [a:Fred Berman's|386543|Fred Berman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1375114951p2/386543.jpg] excellent narration and you get a Fantastic end product.
I grew up knowing Robin Williams as a successful actor; producing wonderful films for my entertainment. I never released all the heartaches, hard work and loyalty that went into the man I came to know.
This book made me stop and think about how we assume things. For instance, all high profile actors must be happy and have all the help they can afford at the snap of a finger.
It was a real eye-opener to realize that everyone – GREAT and SMALL – struggles with the same things.
My heart still weeps for the brilliant man we lost.
End Note:
I belive in all awareness campains
Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia, also known as dementia with Lewy bodies, is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease dementia. Protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, develop in nerve cells in the brain regions involved in thinking, memory and movement (motor control).
Lewy body dementia causes a progressive decline in mental abilities. People with Lewy body dementia may experience visual hallucinations and changes in alertness and attention. Other effects include Parkinson's disease-like signs and symptoms such as rigid muscles, slow movement and tremors.
This is incredibly informative and marvelously written. Combine [a:Fred Berman's|386543|Fred Berman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1375114951p2/386543.jpg] excellent narration and you get a Fantastic end product.
I grew up knowing Robin Williams as a successful actor; producing wonderful films for my entertainment. I never released all the heartaches, hard work and loyalty that went into the man I came to know.
This book made me stop and think about how we assume things. For instance, all high profile actors must be happy and have all the help they can afford at the snap of a finger.
It was a real eye-opener to realize that everyone – GREAT and SMALL – struggles with the same things.
My heart still weeps for the brilliant man we lost.
End Note:
I belive in all awareness campains
Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia, also known as dementia with Lewy bodies, is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease dementia. Protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, develop in nerve cells in the brain regions involved in thinking, memory and movement (motor control).
Lewy body dementia causes a progressive decline in mental abilities. People with Lewy body dementia may experience visual hallucinations and changes in alertness and attention. Other effects include Parkinson's disease-like signs and symptoms such as rigid muscles, slow movement and tremors.
If you were a fan of Robin Williams, this is a MUST READ! I was absolutely devastated when he passed because for someone who had brought so much laughter and love into the world, the way he left it was heartbreaking. Not only did this book give a very detailed account of Robin’s personal and professional life, based on hundreds of interviews with close friends and family, but it explained his last year of life and his death—details I or most fans never knew about. Although I’ll always be saddened at the loss of this once-in-a-lifetime comedian and actor, reading this book gave me closure and a new understanding and acceptance of his death.
A thoroughly well-researched and quite heartwarming about a great and complicated man who brought laughter into hundreds of lives.
Merged review:
A thoroughly well-researched and quite heartwarming about a great and complicated man who brought laughter into hundreds of lives.
Merged review:
A thoroughly well-researched and quite heartwarming about a great and complicated man who brought laughter into hundreds of lives.
Robin Williams’s iconic career spanned decades. His brand of comedy was so eccentric, causing an immediate standout from peers. He was a damned good actor, too. I had somehow completely forgotten about Dead Poets Society! Must rewatch soon. I’m saddened by the suffering he endured toward the end of his life. Only he can truly understand. Whether you’re a massive fan or not, this is a fascinating biography of a unique, challenging life.