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hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
2.0
If you enjoyed the musical RENT you will probably enjoy parts of this book.
I really loved the parts of the book about RENT and learning about how the show came together and some backstage information about the production and how they all reacted to Jonathan Larson's death and the show's wild success.
A huge section of the book is about Anthony Rapp dealing with the death of his mother and that will either work for you or it won't. It didn't work for me other than gaining some insight into how stressful his life was during the early days of the show.
Another big component of the book revolves around Rapp's romantic life which is filled with drama. Again, many people might enjoy that, but I didn't. I have very low tolerance for people who thrive on relationships that are nothing but arguments and making up again and Rapp is definately one of those people!
So, Rent parts good, personal life parts not so good. Overall an OK book but nothing special.
I really loved the parts of the book about RENT and learning about how the show came together and some backstage information about the production and how they all reacted to Jonathan Larson's death and the show's wild success.
A huge section of the book is about Anthony Rapp dealing with the death of his mother and that will either work for you or it won't. It didn't work for me other than gaining some insight into how stressful his life was during the early days of the show.
Another big component of the book revolves around Rapp's romantic life which is filled with drama. Again, many people might enjoy that, but I didn't. I have very low tolerance for people who thrive on relationships that are nothing but arguments and making up again and Rapp is definately one of those people!
So, Rent parts good, personal life parts not so good. Overall an OK book but nothing special.
harukacrush's review against another edition
5.0
The only way out is through.
Rent fundamentally changed my brain chemistry at the tender age of 15. As a young, queer theater enthusiast, this musical was ESSENTIAL to my survival growing up in a suburban conservative environment. I can still remember the excitement of being on stage as our musical theater class performed Seasons of Love for our school and how much I just wanted to keep singing that song over and over. (Followed by crushing disappointment when it was deemed "inappropriate" to perform the whole thing for the school, so we had to perform Evita instead).
I remember dragging my unsuspecting mother to a live show when it was in town and having an absolute blast while also taking moments to watch her face carefully for any reactions to the LGBTQ+ representation, hoping that I could fulfill my yearning to reveal my bisexuality to her, but becoming immediately discouraged when she pronounced that the show was "weird and horrible" and had "too many gay people in it".
I still cry when I listen to these songs and every time I watch the movie.
Always drawn to a good memoir, I love to step into another's shoes and live their experiences. Anthony Rapp's Without You is no exception. I especially appreciate the rawness that is expressed throughout this book, whether its about grief, overwhelming feelings, sexuality, shame, or guilt. The honesty with which Anthony expresses himself even not in his finest moments is both captivating and invigorating.
Everyone's grief looks different but I felt like Anthony's was very close to my own.
Rent fundamentally changed my brain chemistry at the tender age of 15. As a young, queer theater enthusiast, this musical was ESSENTIAL to my survival growing up in a suburban conservative environment. I can still remember the excitement of being on stage as our musical theater class performed Seasons of Love for our school and how much I just wanted to keep singing that song over and over. (Followed by crushing disappointment when it was deemed "inappropriate" to perform the whole thing for the school, so we had to perform Evita instead).
I remember dragging my unsuspecting mother to a live show when it was in town and having an absolute blast while also taking moments to watch her face carefully for any reactions to the LGBTQ+ representation, hoping that I could fulfill my yearning to reveal my bisexuality to her, but becoming immediately discouraged when she pronounced that the show was "weird and horrible" and had "too many gay people in it".
I still cry when I listen to these songs and every time I watch the movie.
Always drawn to a good memoir, I love to step into another's shoes and live their experiences. Anthony Rapp's Without You is no exception. I especially appreciate the rawness that is expressed throughout this book, whether its about grief, overwhelming feelings, sexuality, shame, or guilt. The honesty with which Anthony expresses himself even not in his finest moments is both captivating and invigorating.
Everyone's grief looks different but I felt like Anthony's was very close to my own.
megansoetaert's review
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
Super interesting to see Rapp’s life captured up to a particular moment in time. While some things are dated, it’s very much a book from the 00s. I loved getting to learn more about RENT and how he was with the cast since the very beginning. His relationship with his mom & her illness were very emotional, too, and very authentic
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
kyrbear's review against another edition
5.0
Anthony Rapp is raw and honest and leaves everything out there in this book. I cried, I laughed, I wished I could’ve known him. He did everything right in this memoir. It was beautifully written.
mentally_ill_catmom's review against another edition
3.0
I bought this book because I am a huge RENT fan. I liked this book because I got it learn a lot about the eveloution on one of my favorite musicals. Antony is very open in this book. He talks about cheating on his boyfriends online in detail. But you also learn about what a great son he was to his father and how much losing a mother means. I do not know that feeling yet but this book broke my heart when he talked about his mother's death.
bookswithjanel's review against another edition
5.0
Yeaaaah when I see his one man show next weekend definitely gonna cry
dixiet's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautifully written memoir. Anthony Rapp can act to make your heart swell (Star Trek: Discovery), sing magnificently (Rent), and write brilliantly as well. I began reading this morning and knew by the time I finished the first chapter that I would keep reading straight through until I finished the entire book. Rapp opens his heart and soul for the reader in a completely honest and disarming way. I can't recommend this book strongly enough.
anjumstar's review against another edition
5.0
When I was in chorus in middle school, I would go into class everyday forcing myself to have a great time, and get a lot out of the class. When people asked me what my favorite class is, I would say chorus without hesitation. Well, I actually hated middle school chorus looking back on it, but aside from that, that's how I went into reading this book. I picked it up knowing that I would love it. Having this internal push to like this certainly gives me a bias and clouds my opinion, so take that as you will... And here we go:
I would give this a million stars if I could. Anthony Rapp wrote this book with no inhibitions at all; he put himself out there, and that takes some serious skill. I will re-read this book a hundred times over, because I love him so much. I pretty much think that if you like him, you'll force yourself to like it, if it isn't your type of book, but you probably won't have to, because it's good. He delves in deep into his life, and I definitely feel like I know him that much better. I gave my friend this for her birthday, and upon seeing it, she gave quite the excited, embarrassing little squeal. It has that effect on people before it's even read.
Oh, in case you can't tell: I love RENT.
I would give this a million stars if I could. Anthony Rapp wrote this book with no inhibitions at all; he put himself out there, and that takes some serious skill. I will re-read this book a hundred times over, because I love him so much. I pretty much think that if you like him, you'll force yourself to like it, if it isn't your type of book, but you probably won't have to, because it's good. He delves in deep into his life, and I definitely feel like I know him that much better. I gave my friend this for her birthday, and upon seeing it, she gave quite the excited, embarrassing little squeal. It has that effect on people before it's even read.
Oh, in case you can't tell: I love RENT.
lowrijaynerees's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.5
wombat_88's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0