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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
This biography interweaves the history and progress of the AIDS epidemic alongside the life of Mercury and the rise of Queen. As such it can be a sobering but never less than interesting read.
It's also a useful antidote to the timeline liberties taken by the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, as enjoyable as it is.
It's also a useful antidote to the timeline liberties taken by the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, as enjoyable as it is.
If you're looking for a Reader's Digest version of Freddie's life, this ain't it, folks. At 449 pages, this is for the true fan, who wants to know more than just when he wrote what song, and who he was photographed with at what party.
The authors do an amazing job with background. Freddie's family, their moves to Zanzibar and then to England. What was going on at various times in pop culture that influenced him. The loves, hates, and insecurities that drove him. And alongside it all, very well-researched sections on the spread of the disease that came to be known as AIDS, and took his life.
You will cry. And afterward, go to YouTube. Find his last music video with Queen, "These Are the Days of Our Lives." Preferably the one that with the original and alternative versions side by side. Freddie is weak, and pale, and dying. But he's still got it. Always did, and always will.
The authors do an amazing job with background. Freddie's family, their moves to Zanzibar and then to England. What was going on at various times in pop culture that influenced him. The loves, hates, and insecurities that drove him. And alongside it all, very well-researched sections on the spread of the disease that came to be known as AIDS, and took his life.
You will cry. And afterward, go to YouTube. Find his last music video with Queen, "These Are the Days of Our Lives." Preferably the one that with the original and alternative versions side by side. Freddie is weak, and pale, and dying. But he's still got it. Always did, and always will.
I'm on the fence about this book. It's an amalgamation of the history of HIV/AIDs and the life of Freddie Mercury. Both are interesting stories in their own right. But I'm not sure if interweaving them in the way the author did, was such a good idea.
What irked me most throughout the book was the constant undertone of judgement of Freddie's lifestyle and the speculation of what he might have been thinking at the time.
The title might be Somebody to Love, but it seemed to me that the author was more focused on sex and drugs and not so much on the music Freddie and Queen have made as a band.
Yes, I know sex, drugs and AIDs were a part of Freddie's life, but his musical legacy seems to be a more of an aside in this book. This shortchanges both Freddie and Queen in my opinion.
What irked me most throughout the book was the constant undertone of judgement of Freddie's lifestyle and the speculation of what he might have been thinking at the time.
The title might be Somebody to Love, but it seemed to me that the author was more focused on sex and drugs and not so much on the music Freddie and Queen have made as a band.
Yes, I know sex, drugs and AIDs were a part of Freddie's life, but his musical legacy seems to be a more of an aside in this book. This shortchanges both Freddie and Queen in my opinion.
Learned much about not only Queen and Freddie Mercury, but also the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
Read this a while ago but one of the best biographies I’ve read. Its gripped my attention and held on throughout the book. I was not expecting a history lesson in the AIDS epidemic but the author does a beautiful of interweaving Freddy’s life in to what was happening in the world. The book is very well written. And gave me all sorts of feelings. I really can’t say anything bad about this book.
Interwoven with a history and stigma of HIV/AIDS, this is an in-depth biography of Freddie Mercury. Of course, every biography contains false information as it is written based on human recollection which can never be entirely accurate. That being said, the book goes into detail about Freddie's life and does not shy away from his rock star lifestyle and the dangers, and, eventually, devastating disease it brought to his life.
I knew most of this but it was an interesting view into how private of a person Freddie was and the huge persona he would present on stage. The authors immediately state that what they present about his contracting HIV and death is just speculation, but they do a good job of laying out the story behind the greatest performer in rock history.
We love you, Freddie!
I knew most of this but it was an interesting view into how private of a person Freddie was and the huge persona he would present on stage. The authors immediately state that what they present about his contracting HIV and death is just speculation, but they do a good job of laying out the story behind the greatest performer in rock history.
We love you, Freddie!
Brilliant book, loved every minute. The story of AIDS, Freddy and Queen intertwines perfectly and I was enthralled with every page.
Read this book if you are a Queen fan.
Read this book if you are a Queen fan.
Captivating, well-written parallel histories of the simultaneous rise of both Freddie Mercury's career and the devastating AIDS crisis.
I have done myself a grave disservice by not jumping on the Queen bandwagon sooner. Growing up hearing the same 2 songs on classic rock stations, I LOATHED Queen. Even a few years ago, when my boyfriend showed me Lisa Stansfield's performance of "Want to Break Free" at Freddie Mercury's tribute performance, I failed to grasp the subtlety, nuance, innuendo, and larger signifigance of their music. I walled myself off from the other genre defying, really great offerings of their catalogue. After reading this book, and seeing the legacy sustaining the course, I am a new convert to the fandom.
The only thing keeping me from giving this book 5 stars was the authors' liberal (overkill) use of the phrase "full blown AIDS" As someone working in the field of HIV prevention and advocacy, I see everyday how language matters. Full Blown AIDS is not a medical diagnosis. While using the phrase once or twice reflects that the phrase was once printed and used in the dialogue, in chapters it feels like the authors used the "Find and Replace" feature in Word and substituted "Full Blown AIDS" for "AIDS". come on guys, do better.
The only thing keeping me from giving this book 5 stars was the authors' liberal (overkill) use of the phrase "full blown AIDS" As someone working in the field of HIV prevention and advocacy, I see everyday how language matters. Full Blown AIDS is not a medical diagnosis. While using the phrase once or twice reflects that the phrase was once printed and used in the dialogue, in chapters it feels like the authors used the "Find and Replace" feature in Word and substituted "Full Blown AIDS" for "AIDS". come on guys, do better.