Anything Goes: The Autobiography
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Product Description
The Daily Record, February 2, 2008
Gossipy, fun and endlessly entertaining
Daily Telegraph, February 2, 2008
A charmingly lurid memoir
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An invitation.....,
By JB Fan (England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Anything Goes: The Autobiography (Hardcover)
As a long-time fan of John, I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of his autobiography. It seems an age ago that the announcement was first made. In reality, it was only last June. Imagine the lovely surprise then, when I arrived home from work yesterday, and there it was, my copy of the book, a whole week ahead of schedule!
First impressions are good. The front cover has a true-to life photo of John looking natural and very happy. Colour theme is blue and silver - his colours, and very classy. The book is short - just 245 pages, so no room for wasted words! Many more pictures inside. And a final treat - on the back cover one of him as a boy, one as Captain Jack, and one of him in his bathers!!!!! At that stage, I melted all over the floor. And so, at 11pm last night, I started to read. And I just HAD to finish in one go. Forgive me if I'm not making sense today; I turned the last page at 4am. I don't ever do well on two hours' sleep, as my family will testify. But maybe adrenaline is keeping me going, or perhaps some of John's legendary energy levels evaporated off the pages and into my brain, because I really don't feel too bad today. In the introduction, John asks us to imagine that we're sitting in our pyjamas in the lounge of his Cardiff sitting room, sharing a drink, some music and the memories. That's almost an invitation isn't it?????? The book is divided into chapters, each named after a song from some of John's favourite musicals. So themes such as "Being Alive", "Live, Laugh, Love" and "High, Flying Adored" very aptly set the scene for what is to come. The events described in the book are not arranged in chronological sequence, but as a series of reminiscences. So I found myself travelling, to and fro in time, as the themes developed. Good job Captain Jack is a Time Agent! The style of the book is witty and intelligent, with just the right blend of content and comedy. I can imagine that John and his sister Carole had much fun and many a laugh whilst writing! I had quite a few laughs myself too. What a life! John has packed more into his 40 years than many of us would struggle to manage in 400. John's explanation for this is simple, his mother taught him that, "You're a long time dead, son. You can sleep when you're dead." It's hard to imagine that John currently gets any sleep at all. If the book has a down side, then for me it's that there's very little of John the man. I have seen and heard John many times, met him a few, and follow him in the media, albeit here with a very large shed load of salt. I have therefore heard many of the stories and anecdotes before, and for me there was very little new material. What I had been hoping for from the book was this: a better insight into the beautiful person, inside and out, that John is. His thoughts, feelings, opinions and emotions. I didn't get it. The content is very action and event-oriented. I finished the book feeling a tad disappointed that I didn't actually know John the person any better than when I started it. All in all though, a very enjoyable and worthwhile read. The true value of the book for me is that at last I have this collection of stories direct from John's mouth, and all together in one place. That's worth its weight in gold. And hey, this is theatre, so it's not all over till the fat lady sings. There's always Act 2, so bring it on, John and Carole!!!!
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Mr.Shallow? I don't think so - re-read it some of you,
By Ginola14 "Biography junkie" (Knebworth, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Anything Goes: The Autobiography (Hardcover)
I think all the reviews to date have simply voted for or against the man. I think the book is actually more entertaining than the critics state, and less revellatory and angst-wridden than the 5-stars want to see. I think its just a vaguely interesting tale, written honestly and in the main in good humour. Noone can doubt the hardwork and effort that it takes to get all the way from Glasgow to Cardiff via the US and the West End. but in simple, autobiographical terms - it aint up there with the greats. and why should it be - he's a musical theatre leading man who wrote it himself (aided by his sister). nevertheless it IS entertaining and endearing. Its impossible to read this and not like the man and his family. May be in another 10 years, and with a little more depth to all the major areas covered including his west end break and his time on the couch with the good lord, it would rate higher. by the way - buy it for you mum. i guarantee that ALL mums will like it. RC
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating insight,
By Lauren (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Anything Goes: The Autobiography (Hardcover)
Knowing very little about John Barrowman other than his work in Doctor Who and Torchwood, this helped me learn much more about him and his life. I had no idea that he was so cheeky! He really has had an extraordinary life, and he recalls it in such an entertaining fashion. I laughed a lot while reading this. And though it concentrates a LOT on musical theatre - which I know zilch about - it didn't matter. It was entertaining anyway. Too short, though.
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