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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Being a huge fan of Robin Williams, I appreciated this complete biography of his life. Getting to know Robin through his upbringing and then into his career. As the author talked about different roles that Robin took on throughout his life, I found myself watching some of the movies through different lens, having a sense of why Robin took that role and the challenges that he went through to get to that place in his career brought a deeper appreciation for his work. Having lost family members to suicide, I learned of Robin’s struggles and the tragic loss of Robin not only to the world he served through his work but also the loss that those closest to him felt.
This was a very comprehensive and detailed account on the life of Robin Williams. It was actually quite incredible, the amount of minute details on so many actual quotes, conversations, and stories in his life that was cut short. While I found it very interesting, I did feel like some parts of the book were drawn out further than they needed to be. The author clearly spent a lot of time in researching every aspect of his life, but I do think that there are areas that would have benefitted from being more condensed. A solid read.
This book has taken me a full year to read, with its daunting length and the two-week return period on borrowed library e-books, but I finally did it. When Robin William's died, I was only 12 or 13 and I didn't fully understand just how devastating it was. Being older now and having seen his work, I feel the devastation like it just happened.
Learning all about Robin's life from quite literally beginning to end was endlessly interesting. What a full life to have lived, and he would've had much, much more if he hadn't gotten sick. It's always the ones who deserve it least whose time runs out too soon. Finishing this book was bittersweet and heartbreaking, but I fully enjoyed how detailed it was and how involved Robin's family & friends were in its creation. What a privilege it is to be alive at a time when Robin William's blessed us with his mind.
Learning all about Robin's life from quite literally beginning to end was endlessly interesting. What a full life to have lived, and he would've had much, much more if he hadn't gotten sick. It's always the ones who deserve it least whose time runs out too soon. Finishing this book was bittersweet and heartbreaking, but I fully enjoyed how detailed it was and how involved Robin's family & friends were in its creation. What a privilege it is to be alive at a time when Robin William's blessed us with his mind.
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
I learned SO much that I never knew about Robin, even being a big fan of his. A lot of what the public didn’t know about his life and death is in here, and it really opens your eyes to see what he was dealing with. Really recommend.
I’m usually stingy with 5 stars, and I don’t read many biographies. Primarily, I gave 5 stars because this was simply compelling and easy to follow. It’s over 400 pages and I finished it in four days, which is unusual for me. Obviously well-researched, it was methodical without being boring. The whole point about Robin being a “quiet, introverted person in private while a bold, extroverted entertainer in public” was a bit redundant, but it appears to be an authentic and consistent remark among many who knew him throughout his life. While critics were often not kind to his movies, he was certainly a rare talent, as well as a kind, generous person who continues to be missed.
Fred Itzkoff tells the story of the legendary Robin Williams, depicting his somewhat polarized persona, the brilliant comedian with unbelievable energy and joie de vivre, and the quiet, unassuming man who was gentle and generous.
Listening to his childhood of privilege, but being raised with a black nanny, Suzy, made his liberal views and acceptance of all people make sense.
I loved hearing about his friendship with Pam Dawber, his best friends Billy Crystal and Christopher Reeves, and his children Zach, Zelda, and Cody.
Learning about his relationships was an interesting exploration of the personal side of his life. Valerie, so giving, forgiving, and sounding pretty easy going, if a bit passive, gave him room to be while also dealing with his addictions. Marsha was a steady influence who provided support personally and professionally, but may have had too much of a role in his work, though it does sound positive.
Susan from the start seemed unlikeable, making little effort with his family or with him, and this plays out more starkly after his death.
His suicide and what led up to it are well explained here, but to me it was shocking that with his money and fame, no doctor or specialist could make an accurate diagnosis. Maybe that’s expecting too much, it just seems like the wheels moved too slow in getting him help.
The narration by Fred Berman was entertaining, he does good voices of many famous people in Robin’s life. I feel lucky to have grown up during the Robin Williams era, it’s not every day someone so magical is born.
OPL audiobook
Listening to his childhood of privilege, but being raised with a black nanny, Suzy, made his liberal views and acceptance of all people make sense.
I loved hearing about his friendship with Pam Dawber, his best friends Billy Crystal and Christopher Reeves, and his children Zach, Zelda, and Cody.
Learning about his relationships was an interesting exploration of the personal side of his life. Valerie, so giving, forgiving, and sounding pretty easy going, if a bit passive, gave him room to be while also dealing with his addictions. Marsha was a steady influence who provided support personally and professionally, but may have had too much of a role in his work, though it does sound positive.
Susan from the start seemed unlikeable, making little effort with his family or with him, and this plays out more starkly after his death.
His suicide and what led up to it are well explained here, but to me it was shocking that with his money and fame, no doctor or specialist could make an accurate diagnosis. Maybe that’s expecting too much, it just seems like the wheels moved too slow in getting him help.
The narration by Fred Berman was entertaining, he does good voices of many famous people in Robin’s life. I feel lucky to have grown up during the Robin Williams era, it’s not every day someone so magical is born.
OPL audiobook
