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jillyd's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I actually listened to it on MP3, which was a fun way to "read" it since Anthony narrates it himself. I totally recommend this book to anyone who loves "Rent" or anything else Anthony has been in, or if you are gay or love someone who is, or if you have lost a parent (or anyone else you've loved). It made me laugh and it made me cry and it made me want to tell everyone I love just how much I love them. Go on, check it out!!
dgarten's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written and honest, mostly talking about his mother’s illness, sexuality, and his Rent journey.
shelfimprovement's review against another edition
4.0
I may be a little biased because of how much I love Rent. The play itself is incredible, but the tragedy behind it is almost as compelling a story in and of itself. Anyone who knows the story knows that Anthony Rapp played an integral part in the development of Rent from three-week workshop to cultural sensation. It's important to note that this book is about more than just Rent; it's also about Rapp's childhood, acting career, homosexuality, and, most of all, the loss of his mother. As someone who lost her mother at a young age, I am always touched by honest looks into one of the most vulnerable and heart-breaking periods in one's life. Rapp is not the strongest writer, but he is honest and gives us glimpses at both the positive and negative sides of the events in his life without wallowing in self-pity or ego. I could have lived without some of the more sordid details of his sex life, but the parts where he and his fellow castmates had to deal with sudden fame in the face of the unexpected death of Jonathan Larson and his relationship with his family were quite touching.
c0brao2's review against another edition
A fantastic and emotional journey from Anthony Rapp the OBC Mark from RENT
pirogoeth's review against another edition
5.0
At first there’s mainly talk about Rent as Anthony’s one of the original cast members from the workshop production before it went on broadway. It was great to read about those early days of the show and how much changed. One of the roughest parts to get through was Jonathan Larson’s death. Jonathan Larson was the creative genius behind Rent. He died the night before their off-broadway opening night of an aortic aneurysm. He was young and talented and full of life. It was a very emotional section.
I hoped that it was the most emotional part of the book, I was wrong. Through most of the book Anthony’s mother fights a long, and, in the end, losing battle with cancer. In the early days of Rent she relapses from her remission and her deterioration is a major part of the book.
When the cancer won the battle, I was so glad I was at home. Up until then I was reading it in the car and at work, fighting back the tears. I could just let them fall as I read about how he got through it and dealt with the grief. If you read this book, have a box of tissues close at hand!
This is a great book for anyone to read. Although, if you don’t like Rent, I wouldn’t pick it up as it is a huge part of his life. He’s been a part of the show in every stage it’s been through. I don’t think I’ll ever listen to or watch it the same way again.
I hoped that it was the most emotional part of the book, I was wrong. Through most of the book Anthony’s mother fights a long, and, in the end, losing battle with cancer. In the early days of Rent she relapses from her remission and her deterioration is a major part of the book.
When the cancer won the battle, I was so glad I was at home. Up until then I was reading it in the car and at work, fighting back the tears. I could just let them fall as I read about how he got through it and dealt with the grief. If you read this book, have a box of tissues close at hand!
This is a great book for anyone to read. Although, if you don’t like Rent, I wouldn’t pick it up as it is a huge part of his life. He’s been a part of the show in every stage it’s been through. I don’t think I’ll ever listen to or watch it the same way again.
fandomjaxxox's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
renatasnacks's review against another edition
3.0
I had a good time reading this. I'm admittedly not as into Rent as I once was, but I definitely still like Rent enough to have gotten really into reading about all the show's backstory. And I thought his description of his relationship with his mom was really moving. Still, I definitely wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who wasn't interested in the musical Rent--I don't think it's a compelling enough book to stand alone without a pre-existing interest in Anthony and Rent. Honestly, if you would like this book you have probably already read it.
erica_reads_things's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.75
I enjoyed the experience of listening to Anthony Rapp talk about his experiences and this time of his life overall. I most enjoyed hearing about his experiences with being a part of Rent, as well as the reflective nature of him processing his behaviors and hardships in the midst and afteath of his mother's illness.
Some of the language was a bit outdated and jarring, but that's almost to be expected with the age of the book.
Some of the language was a bit outdated and jarring, but that's almost to be expected with the age of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Cancer, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Death, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Minor: Animal death, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail