Me(book)
 | |
| Author | Elton John |
|---|---|
| Audio read by | Taron Egerton |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Published | 15 October 2019 |
| Publisher | Macmillan Publishers |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Pages | 350 |
| ISBN | 1-509-85331-6 |
Meis the autobiography of the English singer, pianist and composerElton John.It was released on 15 October 2019 byMacmillan Publishers.It was ghostwritten by journalistAlexis Petridis,[1]who worked on the book with John for three and a half years.[2]
Overview[edit]
The book recounts events from John's childhood inPinnerthrough to his final tour,Farewell Yellow Brick Road.[3]He describes his depression and suicide attempts as well as drug addiction and hisprostate cancerdiagnosis.[4]He admits he spent his whole career "trying to show my father what I'm made of".[5]He explains the reasons behind his advocacy againstAIDS.[6]
Comments on Michael Jackson[edit]
In the book, despite being good friends with him, John said that the American singer-songwriterMichael Jacksonwas "genuinely mentally ill" and "disturbing to be around".[7]The comments arose from a lunch John hosted to introduce his husbandDavid Furnishto Jackson in 1993.[8][9]
Publication[edit]
Mewas released byMacmillan Publisherson 15 October 2019. Excerpts read byTaron Egerton(who portrayed John in the biographical filmRocketman) aired onBBC Radio 4'sBook of the Weekin the first week of its release.[5]
Reception[edit]
Hadley Freeman,a writer forThe Guardian,called the book "racy, pacy and crammed with scurrilous anecdotes", saying: "Elton makes fun of no one more than himself. He is utterly, astonishingly, hilariously self-lacerating."[2]
Varietydubbed the book "deeply dishy".[10]
ATimereview said: "Like John’s songs,Meoverflows with whimsical characters, twisted humor, winking self-aggrandizement and stark pathos. True to his spirit, it's a little silly and over the top, but it's also an absorbing and unfettered joy. "[3]
InThe Daily Telegraph,Neil McCormicksaid: "If you are in the market for an autobiography crammed with sex, drugs and rock and roll, Elton is clearly your man."[11]
InThe Times,Will Hodgkinsonsaid that John's "sad, funny memoir reveals the insecurities that drive his needy behaviour."[12]
References[edit]
- ^Aizlewood, John (14 October 2019)."Me by Elton John: cocaine, mummy issues and dinner with Michael Jackson".inews.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^abFreeman, Hadley (16 October 2019)."Me by Elton John review – hilariously self-lacerating".The Guardian.ISSN0261-3077.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^abChow, Andrew R. (15 October 2019)."Elton John's Autobiography 'Me' Is a Cautionary Tale of Modern Fame—With Gossip to Boot".Time.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^"Elton John's autobiography is full of warmth and candour – review".The Independent.14 October 2019.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-05-12.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^abSavage, Mark (15 October 2019)."Elton John: 'I still want my dad's approval'".BBC News.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^Maslin, Janet (10 October 2019)."Elton John Puts Down in Words How Wonderful (and Weird) Life Has Been".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^Dicker, Ron (15 October 2019)."Elton John Calls Michael Jackson A 'Disturbing Person To Be Around'".HuffPost UK.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^Ryan, Patrick (16 October 2019)."Elton John calls Michael Jackson 'mentally ill,' Tina Turner a 'nightmare' in new book".USA TODAY.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^Curto, Justin (15 October 2019)."Elton John Describes a Bizarre Lunch With Michael Jackson in New Memoir".Vulture.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^Willman, Chris (16 October 2019)."Recappin' Fantastic: The Most Fascinating Reveals From Elton John's Memoir".Variety.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^McCormick, Neil (9 October 2019)."Elton John, Me review: all the sex, drugs and showbiz gossip you could want".The Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Retrieved17 October2019.
- ^Hodgkinson, Will (10 October 2019)."Me by Elton John review — fame, sex and bad potty training".The Times.ISSN0140-0460.Retrieved17 October2019.
