Dreaminaret's Review of "WITHOUT YOU" (very few [if any] spoilers)- Page 2

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:16am

She just provided the inspriration for Mandi's icon, Shiksa.

[Mandi Moo]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:17am

Well...they're just not cool like us, or something.

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:22am

Wait I'm confused, SD what was your icon?

No, it was never my avatar. Adam posted a blog on his MySpace naming a few of the songs he will be performing (recording? I forgot), one of them being "Maria." I think I had just seen The Sound of Music a couple of nights before, so it was on my brain. I immediately thought of that "how do you solve a problem like Maria?" song and the image of Adam singing that kind of stuck with us, I guess. Just for clarification, I think we can safely assume that it's Maria from West Side Story he'll be singing, NOT the nun song.

[opiv]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:22am

Umm anyways...Welcome back Anthony!

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:25am

Now, is everyone caught up? I feel bad since this is on the main board and everyone else has no idea what's going on.

Updated On: 1/27/06 at 12:25 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:27am

So. Anthony's book!

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:28am

Well I think everything is all cleared up for now.

Anthony's book: VERY excited.

Updated On: 1/27/06 at 12:28 AM

[opiv]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:28am

We need the 'Sooon' icon.

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:31am

Don't worry SD, I thought it was the Sound of Music song too. I haven't seen West Side Story.

[Shiksa Goddess2]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:32am

Yes, we really do.

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:37am

Thanks for posting your review, dreaminaret. It was extremely well-written and, along with Lari's and Emcee's earlier reviews, has made me even more anxious to read Without You.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:42am

Well, if we're retiring our silliness for the moment, then I guess we can talk about Without You. heh. Dreaminaret, thank you for your review. It was really interesting to hear opinions from a different perspective.

Updated On: 1/29/06 at 12:42 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:48am

*cracks whip*

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:54am

Ow.

[starletta8]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 12:55am

I'm going to keep it short and sweet here. I had a surprise email from the Strand last night, and picked up my copy today. Surprise, I've finished it already.

I was blown away by the memoir. I am a large fan of the genre, though I tend to read more political memoirs than any other type. That said, I'm usually very skeptical since authors have a tendency to make themselves look better/more dramatic.

I wasn't sure what to expect, but it's one of the few pieces I've read that's stuck with me once I closed the back cover. Its storylines are kept in a careful balance- enough that it will be of interest to members of the public that have never seen a Broadway show. Of course, I would've loved to have seen a bit more of the backstage process, but that's a personal interest.

A memoir dealing with such heavy issues could've easily become overwhelming, but there were enough moments of levity (like his initial discription of Adam Pascal) that it didn't seem depressing. The tone of the memoir shifts throughout; I felt my perspective shifting with it. I found this interesting, especially in relation to how he is feeling and dealing with life (trying hard not to spoil anything at all).

I felt like a voyeur a few times, particularly while he discussed the more intimate details of all of his relationships (both romantic and with his family). I'm not sure if that was a product of my life or it was because he was brutally honest at times. Regardless, I was left believing that there was nothing held back.

I'd write more, but I don't want to accidentally even partially spoil anything for anyone. It's an amazing book- I was greatly impressed with his writing.

Edit- Grammar Updated On: 1/27/06 at 12:55 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:01am

On a light note, I freaking love the description of the first time he met Adam Pascal.

I loved the book, but I'm too afraid that I'll bring "spoilers" of sorts into much discussion of it. My review is linked and fairly generic, and even though people obviously know the story, I know many don't want detail ruined.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:03am

"But there were enough moments of levity (like his initial discription of Adam Pascal)"


Now I have a vision of some witty comment about Adam wearing those overalls or something of the like.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:05am

Hee, that Adam description was the first part I was made to read.

Fantab- you're on the right track

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:05am

Seriously, it's effing brilliant. I laughed more than I should have. The overalls make an appearance.

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:08am

Heh. Predictable.

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:08am

Well, it's coming out soon now, so we'll all be able to talk about it.

[starletta8]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:11am

I was shocked to get a review copy, honestly.

I was just hoping to get a cheap copy when it came out, since hardcover prices aren't exactly in my budget lately. (I had to save for 4 months to afford the cheapest Sweeney Todd tickets. Such is unemployment.)

*muses* I wonder how many review copies are floating around out there... and how many publications will be printing full reviews.

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:12am

Between the excerpt that I read and the comments from those who have read the entire book, I cannot wait for it to be February 7.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:15am

It's hardcover?

Are the copies at Strand the real thing, or what? The advance copies were bright yellow, and had no pictures or anything, but they're not supposed to be sold... hm.

Updated On: 1/27/06 at 01:15 AM

[CanadianSnowbird]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 1:18am

Me too, BG. I don't know where I'm going to find it though. I think I'm able to order it from Chapters, I'll have to look into it.