Shattered Love: Amazon.co.uk: Richard Chamberlain: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

In his much-anticipated memoir Shattered Love, TV actor Richard Chamberlain reveals he is gay and lived a fictitious public life for decades. "I was terrified that this news would alienate fans and topple my cherished career, robbing me of the work I loved and my only source of income", Chamberlain writes. But he adds pointedly "I had to admit to myself that I was as homophobic as the public I sought to please".

He reflects on his career with similar disarming ease, spinning tales about his many Tinseltown colleagues such as Paul Newman, Julie Christie, Raquel Welch, Sir John Gielgud, Steve McQueen and the legendary Barbara Stanwyck, his co-star from the blockbuster TV mini-series The Thorn Birds. Stanwyck, he writes, flubbed her lines just once--when he stripped off his clothes on-camera. "After a stunned pause she murmured, 'Well, it's been a very long time since I've stood next to a naked man'."

Chapters about growing up in post-war California with his alcoholic father are written with the same breezy candour. Chamberlain also assesses his acting ability (he's "a character actor in leading-man clothing") and deals frankly with his onetime obsession with youth ("I was secretly certain that my success was almost entirely due to my youthful good looks"). Many of the later chapters explore Chamberlain's deep spirituality and lifelong quest for inner peace--Chamberlain's way of dealing with his double life all those years. "The important lesson in all this is not about revealing secrets", he says. "The real challenge is in daring to brave the silence." In so doing Chamberlain has given readers a book that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit. --Richard Burnett, Amazon.ca --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

One of the most beloved actors of our time shares the "New York Times" bestselling story of how he learned to live with an open heart.

Early in his career, shortly after rising to fame as television's Dr. James Kildare, Richard Chamberlain took on the role of Hamlet on the English stage. The play contained a lesson the actor has remembered throughout his life: "To thine own self be true." But for Chamberlain these were not always easy words to live by. Even as he won the adoration of millions of fans, this handsome, charming, debonair leading man seriously questioned his own self-worth, living a life haunted by personal insecurity despite decades of immense popular success in memorable roles in Dr. Kildare, The Thorn Birds, Shogun, and other television dramas. Finally, with the help of friends and guidance from spiritual teachers, including Krishnamurti, Chamberlain began the sometimes painful but deeply rewarding process of reconciling his deepest self with his public persona. Now, in Shattered Love, he poignantly recounts his lifelong struggle to find happiness. Tracing a fascinating path through his meteoric rise to success, he chronicles his struggle to come to terms with his own imperfections, his growing desire to be honest about his sexual orientation, and his yearning to live with an open heart. And along the way he imparts the lessons he has learned about overcoming our own self-imposed obstacles to happiness: the importance of listening to our own instincts instead of listening only to others, not demanding the impossible of ourselves, and allowing ourselves to explore negative feelings in order to move forward.

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39 of 39 people found the following review helpful

Richard Chamberlain Moving Toward Love 8 Jun 2003

By D. Dube

Format:Hardcover

Richard Chamberlain tells in this book of his poignant struggles of growing up in an alcoholic home, dealing with fame (and when it deals with him), as well as his spiritual search to live an authentic and truthful life.

Many, I imagine will pick up this book with an eye for sensationalism and gossip over the revelation of his sexual preference. Yet they will be sorely disappointed that there is neither sensational and illicit tales, nor gossip to titillate. No, what the reader will find here is a book about a very thoughtful and spiritual man, who happened to act for a living, trying to navigate his way toward love and finding his true and openhearted self.

Though, given the sometimes glossed over and fast-forwarded events in his life that take place in the book, one can't help but wonder if there is another book in the offing or if much was edited out of this one. Yet the spiritual and philosophical ponderings were delightful to read and filled the heart. I am glad that Mr. Chamberlain wrote it and allowed himself to be so vulnerable and open.

On a personal note, I applaud Mr. Chamberlain's courage to write the truths revealed in the book but also wish to add that it makes no difference to me one way or another and it shouldn't to anyone who reads this book. He simply is what he is and approval is not required when reading. Acceptance however, is a bridge to understanding.

You could learn a lot about not only Richard Chamberlain in this book, but yourself as well.

Cheers to the years together, Martin and Richard!

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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

Inspiring,beautifully written and brave. 26 Nov 2004

By gwilym

Format:Paperback

As a supposedly 'macho' man I was very moved and inspired by this beautifully crafted autobiography. Richard's use of poetic storytelling is exquisite, and a page turner. His love of his craft (acting) is indeed inspiring to say the least. His bravery to face his deamons as well as the fickle world of 'stardom and celebrity' with his 'coming out', is without doubt awe - inspiring. Although I was never what one would call a 'fan', I will now seek out The Thorn Birds and Shogun 'films' to see Richard in action. I do think that his search for inner peace, and his love for Martin is very commendible and a lesson to us all, fame and fortune may make you popular but not necesserily happy.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

"Just be." 5 Oct 2008

By Kona TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE

In his memoir, Richard Chamberlain describes the early feelings of inadequacy and need for love that lead him into acting, his break-through role as "Dr. Kildare" and later success in Shogun and The Thorn Birds, but the book is mostly about his spiritual journey, especially his experience with transcendental meditation.

Chamberlain comes across as an intellectual and well-spoken man; unfortunately, I found his lengthy discourses on meditation and the essence of Truth and Love confusing and repetitive. I was hoping for more about his acting career. The book contains many professional and personal photos.