Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Open & honest - just like the man himself, 4 Oct 2009
I loved the first book - "Anything Goes" - so much that despite my eagerness to read more from the joint pens of John & Carole, I must admit that I was concerned that they had set the bar so high that a second book, following so quickly on it's heels, could not be as good. Thankfully, I was wrong.
Remember the old adverts that used the tag "It does exactly what it says on the tin"?..... well that is most definitely the case with this second book. We were promised "more about the man behind the television sensation" as well as "focusing on John's unique approach to life & love" and "heart-warming family anecdotes" - and that is exactly what this book provides.
I have been fortunate enough to see John entertain us all for 20 years this month - yes I was there when it all began, with the musical from which the title of his first book was taken, and I was there again on 14 September 2009 when John returned to the West End (in La Cage Aux Folles) after far too long a time away, and sang "I Am What I Am" - to not a dry eye in the house, I might add. Reading this book, I can almost hear John's voice in every line - this much-loved & much-loving man has put his heart & soul into this, as he does into everything he puts his hand to. I challenge anyone who reads it to avoid a tear in the eye when John speaks of those he has loved & lost in his life, just as I challenge you to keep a straight face when faced with the heartwarmingly hilarious tales of his home life, that reveal so clearly the deeply abiding love that exists between John & Scott.
This book is meant to be read & read again - I would read it again myself right now, but my 11 year-old has snaffled it & is intent on using it for her next school book report!
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Comparing Barrowman's Books, 6 Oct 2009
I was intrigued enough by the review/criticism made by 'JB Fan' that I actually physically compared the hardback edition of 'I am What I am' to the hardback of Barrowman's previous book 'Anything Goes'. and guess what, the books basically have the same format; they have the same font sizes, same small chapter lengths (I checked a couple of random chapters in each), and about the same number of total pages in them (exluding end notes). So basically the books are actually the same size!
Conclusion: 'I am What I am' is just as good value for money as the previous book. So if someone reads it quicker then there must be a reason for doing so other that the size of the book!.
Also, regarding the previous reviewer's comments on the 'ballgate' incident. I'm not going to cricise anyone's personal view of this, but, again just to correct a point. In the book Barrowman does not abdicate reponsibility for the incident but takes 'full responsiility' for the 'outrageousness' that 'got out of hand'.
And regarding the other stories in the book, yes I've also heard some of them before, but there were plenty of anactdotes that I'd never heard, some hilarious, some moving.
I agree that the book does read a bit differently from the previous one, it's more a book to 'dip into', and feels more like the reader is sitting down listening to various tales told by around a table or in a living room. It feels much more intimate (perhaps that isn't the right word, maybe 'homely') But from the introduction that seems to be a deliberate intention of the writer. And I think it works very well. Whether it sounds like Carole talking and not John (as the previous reviewer claimed), I have no idea, as I haven't heard enough of Carole to make a judgement!, But I can say that, to me, it definitley reads like it's John's book!
All the above does not mean to say that 'I Am What I Am' is perfect; there is indeed the occassional error, that perhaps should have been rectified by better proof reading prior to publication
But overall I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a fun read. It's not great literature but its certainly entertaining enough for the price (at least for me)
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
An Ok read, 14 Oct 2009
Well, I at last received my copy of this book, I had read Anything Goes and enjoyed it as I had not heard many of the stories before, but I was looking forward to learning more of the man himself, but it just seems it's more of the same silly stories, which are great but don't really give an insight into JB. I agree also with what some people have written that it sounds more like Carole than John, I also think that he does keep harping on and on and on about being gay well I for one DON'T CARE what his sexuality is, my niece is gay and I have many gay friends but they don't keep on about it, the majority of people really don't care and those that do will never change their opinions and probably wouldn't be reading this book anyway. I also hate to say it, but is he becoming a bit of a 'diva'? I hope he isn't as I'd hate to see a basically lovely decent guy become corrupted by his own fame, unfortunately in some of the chapters it gives that impression.
Needless to say I love seeing and listening to John but would not purchase a third book (should there be one), maybe he should try writing his own autobiography and not his sister then maybe I would get a sense of the man, I know this review probably won't go down well with his fans (of which I am one) but I think honesty is called for and just because I'm a fan does not mean that I have to like everything that he does, although some of the fans are obsessive beyond belief and believe that the man can do no wrong!!
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