Hello Fellow Book Lovers
I've read several books about Freddie and Queen and thought others would like to discuss. Think of this as a mini book club, all devoted to discussing books about Freddie and Queen.
So far I've read:
- Peter Freestone's 2 books about Freddie
- Jim Hutton's book ("Mercury & Me")
- Peter "Ratty" Hince's book ("Queen Unseen")
- Matt Richards/Mark Langthorne ("Somebody To Love")
Next I will be reading:
- David Evans/David Minns ("This Was The Real Life")
Please join in!
hey hey NeverTooLate thanks for starting this :)
I have read both Peter Freestone's books, Jim Hutton's book, Peter 'Ratty' Hince's book, Matt Richards (somebody to Love ) Marc Blake's book (forgotten what it is called) , Lesley Ann Jones and Laura Jackson. Yep I went a bit crazy lol. Oh and I have Queen in 3D by Brian May .
I now know not to trust the book written by Lesley Ann Jones and Laura Jackson and also Somebody to Love . Although SBTL has lots of information about AIDS it also has a lot of inaccurate information. For example Freddie did not sleep with John Murphy and 'm pretty sure the person they label as patient zero, isn't actually patient zero. I think they used Lesley Ann Jones' book for a lot of their information.
You will enjoy This was the real Life :)
Hi Doughnut!
Thanks for joining.
I appreciated the interspersing of the AIDS info in "Somebody To Love" (SBTL) as I think it's important to get HIV info out in any way possible, but I agree that speculation about who FM got the virus from was futile and anything proposed that cannot be verified is wholly unfair to all.
[ On a side note: obviously "Patient Zero" (identified incorrectly as Gaëtan Dugas) couldn't have been the first to get AIDS because he got it from someone else. The virus was scientifically traced back to as early as 1908 and the virus we know today as HIV1 started as SIV (Simian Immunodeficiency Virus) which affected multiple non-human primate species. The virus passed to humans, most likely through bushmeat hunters around the turn of the last century, who would have been in contact with infected simian blood. There's a lot of history and science around that topic and tons of good reading info for those who wish to delve into all of that.]
I also have Mark Blake's book ("This Is the Real Life") but haven't read it yet and it's further down the queue. The titles between Blake and Evans/Minns book is confusing because they are so similar, but I have both books.
Hello!
I want to join in :)
I have read Phoebe's first book and the second is in the queue.
Peter Hince
Jim Hutton
Mark Blake's books about Queen and Freddie
And most appreciated is Mercury: in his own words by Greg brooks
David Minn's This was the real life is also great. Not only the part written by David Minn's but also all the lovely memories by other people. It gave me the best picture about Freddie and for me personally it's fascinating how all these people described Freddie in the same way - as a shy, hunble, generous and loyal person. You know, one person writing a biography can be biased, can have inaccurate information, can lie in some way, but when 20 people see the person in the same way, you simply have to believe that's the way he really was. And I love how Freddie was seen by his friends.
oh yes I forgot that I have also read Mercury in his own words.
It was nice reading 'this is the real life' as you say Mika everyone described Freddie as you have said. I did really feel for David Minns as I believe Freddie really broke his heart. David was the one to say 'no' when Freddie said he had enough love for the both of them; David and Joe. I believe he felt David would stay in his life just as Mary had. Luckily David knew that mentally it just wouldn't work .
Freddie to me was very much affected by the stardome at that point and was I'd say a little arrogant. He seemed to really mature as he got older.
oh poo, I forgot you haven't read it yet NeverToo Late....apologies :(
Mercury and Me
I was deeply affected by this book. I surprised myself as I reread it and felt great upset towards Freddie for messing Jim around at the beginning. When he flew Jim out to Munich and then announced he was off to Winnie's , well I didn't like that lol. I know Jim eventually gave Freddie an ultimation , boy do I hope he give him a good strong ultimation; carry on and I am out of here, I'm not putting up with it !!
I have been surprised at the feelings it evoked in me. Hence I have a big soft spot for Jim .
Actually I don't really know what to think of Mercury and me. Not because it should be too private but it was written by a journalist from News of the world. Jim told the story to him and he wrote it. So it's not a "first hand" source and even Peter Freestone admited some things were not very accurate. But I still like it.
I absolutely refuse to read Lesley Jones' book and it really annoys me that this is the only book available in the stores right now in my country as the "best biography of FM." making money of BoRhap movie hysteria. And everybody buys it like mad and praise it as a fantastic book.
[QUOTE] [b]doughnut wrote:[/b]
Mercury and Me
I was deeply affected by this book. I surprised myself as I reread it and felt great upset towards Freddie for messing Jim around at the beginning. When he flew Jim out to Munich and then announced he was off to Winnie's , well I didn't like that lol. I know Jim eventually gave Freddie an ultimation , boy do I hope he give him a good strong ultimation; carry on and I am out of here, I'm not putting up with it !!
I have been surprised at the feelings it evoked in me. Hence I have a big soft spot for Jim . [/QUOTE]
I have to admit, I would love to have a conversation with Freddie about love and relationships. Because it seems his general view of love was quite unique. I don't know if it comes from childhood spent alone without the family but he really wasn't a conventional partner. I crave for some answers which I probably won't get.
Hi all <
Mika , I too would love to have that conversation.
All I'll say on the help Jim had and this is also what Peter said, the recounts were all from Jim as otherwise there wouldn't have been a book, it is Jims story of his time with Freddie. Try not to focus on the help Jim had as I don't think Peter said things were not accurate , more senualized . I have tried to figure out what parts this may be and I can only assume the sex life part maybe or the rows they had. He goes on to say that Jim would never had said anything to darken Freddie's name although to be fair I have seen Peter say a lot about Freddie's sex life over the years.
I watched a UK youtube video yesterday and Peter was on it, it made me feel so sad. He said that Freddie was very promiscuous, as we know , he would often end up with a man most nights and Freddie knew that they were with him because of who he was but he didn't care as he got what he wanted. To me that is so sad and lonely in a way.
rensage hi.
The part where he talks about having a one to one is from an interview with David Wigg in 1986. In it Freddie said he was very content and Jim said that Freddie told him he was referring to him but kept to the 'i'm not in a relationship type talk to protect Jim. Thor said they were equally protective of each other.
I took the one to one comment as he couldn't just live with Jim, he would need more people around him and that is why he moved Peter, Joe and Jim into Garden Lodge. I also took it that at this point he had realised that if he wanted to keep Jim in his life, he needs to change.
The part where he says 'I have finally found the niche I have been looking for all my life' was the interview with David Wigg in 1987.
Mika what country are you in ?
[QUOTE] [b]doughnut wrote:[/b]
Mika what country are you in ? [/QUOTE]
Same as Phoebe :) Czech Republic.
There is also an interview with David Wigg in 1985, about his solo plans and there are several bits on YouTube and in one of them he really opens up speaking about love and how it affects him but unfortunately it is finished literally in the middle of sentence! I have a crazy idea to contact David and ask for the rest :)
