Status
Available
Publication
Simon Spotlight Entertainment (2008), Edition: First Edition, 342 pages
Description
Christopher Ciccone's memoir is based on his forty-seven years of growing up and working with his sister Madonna. Through most of Madonna's career, Christopher played an important role in her life: as her backup dancer, her personal assistant, her dresser, her decorator, and her art and tour director.
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Media reviews
Christopher saves his most vitriolic attack on Madonna for choosing to film a scene in Truth Or Dare at the gravestone of their beloved mother. To the author, this was an unforgivable sin. Time and again, Christopher uses his treasured memories of his mother as a weapon against his sister. He
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implores readers to imagine just what his deeply religious, saintly mother—who died while he and his sister were still young—would think of Madonna’s shameless exhibitionism and raunchy concerts. The implication, of course, is that she’d be horrified at Madonna’s debauchery, but would feel proud her gay son wrote a book that prominently features him snorting cocaine with various super-celebrities. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member mcelhra
God, Christopher Ciccone is whiny. And catty. There is really no new information about Madonna in this book, it’s just Christopher whining about how she’s mistreated him all these years. Basically, every time he works for her, she rips him off (doesn’t pay him fairly, replaces him at the last
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minute, etc.) You know what – then quit working for her! Christopher can’t do that though because he has no formal training to do ANYTHING. Madonna lets him dance in her videos, design her houses, dress her for her tours, art direct her tours and gets her friends to give him gallery shows, even though he’s never formally trained do any of that. And all he does is bitch about how horrible it is to work for her. I’m not a huge Madonna fan; I just read this book because I like reading about the entertainment business and stars in general. But there was nothing new here - almost nothing about Madonna’s childhood, no insights into her personality. I really don’t think Madonna and Christopher were ever that close, even though they spent a lot of time together, because he relates virtual nothing about Madonna’s personal life. Or else he was never paying attention what was going on in it because he’s just as self-absorbed as she is. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cauterize
I picked this up because one of my favourite gossip websites, LaineyGossip.com, said it was a juicy read. And it is! The author is Madonna's brother, and by all accounts, was a close confidant and alter ego to Madonna from her rise as a popstar to Kabbalah earth mom. Apparently, they've had a
For me, if someone is going to write a "tell-all" biography, it better have lots of dirty details. I hate it when you think you are going to get the inside scoop, but instead you get a few choice stories, but then a lot of factual dreck. I don't know what that says about me, but if I wanted a biography with a lot of quotes or facts, then I would have picked one of those up! However, this book really does give you the view of an insider, someone who is privy to the intimate details of a famous person's life. And it doesn't hold back.
The only commentary I have about the content is that Ciccone does not talk about Madonna's process to create her music. No matter what else Madonna has done, she has always co-written her music and wants to be taken seriously as an artist. I'm not sure if this absence is because Ciccone has no clue how she makes her music or if music is of no interest to him. He goes on and on about the costumes, the dancing, the production of the shows - but this is where his job and interest lay.
I'm not going to describe what Ciccone talks about in this book, because a reader isn't going to pick it up based on such a summary. I'll just say that this biography delivers on its promise, and if you're interested in inside details in Madonna's life, then it's a great guilty read.
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somewhat recent fallout (he writes his side of that story), and whether you think it's repellent or not, he wrote this very dishy biography.For me, if someone is going to write a "tell-all" biography, it better have lots of dirty details. I hate it when you think you are going to get the inside scoop, but instead you get a few choice stories, but then a lot of factual dreck. I don't know what that says about me, but if I wanted a biography with a lot of quotes or facts, then I would have picked one of those up! However, this book really does give you the view of an insider, someone who is privy to the intimate details of a famous person's life. And it doesn't hold back.
The only commentary I have about the content is that Ciccone does not talk about Madonna's process to create her music. No matter what else Madonna has done, she has always co-written her music and wants to be taken seriously as an artist. I'm not sure if this absence is because Ciccone has no clue how she makes her music or if music is of no interest to him. He goes on and on about the costumes, the dancing, the production of the shows - but this is where his job and interest lay.
I'm not going to describe what Ciccone talks about in this book, because a reader isn't going to pick it up based on such a summary. I'll just say that this biography delivers on its promise, and if you're interested in inside details in Madonna's life, then it's a great guilty read.
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LibraryThing member mochap
this book was a train wreck--terribly written, psychologically stunted, and yet, I couldn't look away. I'm ashamed to admit that I read it to the end. Ugh
LibraryThing member korynne
This was a good book. If you have ever wondered about the type of person that Madonna really is then it's a must read. The book does center in on Christopher at some points, which isn't wrong, it's his book...but the really interesting points are about Madonna. I recommend it for a fast, easy read.
LibraryThing member Laila726
I really enjoyed this book. Gives an interesting glimpse inside Madonna's life. I'm sure that Christopher is no angel... as every story has two sides, but it was a great read.
LibraryThing member indygo88
Though many might disagree with me, I found this memoir surprisingly well-written, or at least very engaging, and I had trouble not reading it all in one sitting. Whether you like Madonna or not, her brother Christopher lays it all out & I think you'll come away with an altered perspective after
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reading this. Of course, there are always two sides to a story, and this one's bound to be biased, but I can't help but lose a little respect for Madonna after reading this. I've always had mixed feelings about Madonna -- I've respected her ability to become a success & she seems a very organized, structured individual, and overall I like her music, although I prefer the older stuff. But as a person, I've always questioned her morals & wonder what she's really trying to achieve. Her brother presents her as a selfish, attention-seeking person who cares little for the feelings of people around her, and I have no doubt that's an accurate description for the most part. Overall, I've lost more respect for her after reading this & I feel for Christopher and the way she's treated him, but at the same time I think he should have stood up for himself a long time ago. Essentially, they've both used each other through the years to get what they want, but obviously Christopher has ended up with the shorter straw. My hope is that Christopher Ciccone wrote this as a sincere therapeutic process as opposed to a money-making endeavor. Show Less
LibraryThing member cvosshans
Reading this book provides a glimpse into some aspects of Madonna's life that readers might otherwise not be aware of. I think when you read this you have to condsider that the author (her brother) may be biased. With that in mind, this book should be read with 'a grain of salt'. Otherwise, this
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memoir of Christopher's life as Madonna's brother is simply another person's perspective on past events and can be enjoyed as such. Reading this book doesn't change my views on Madonna; her life is far too removed from my own for me to have any strong opinions it. This book was a great travelling companion during the summer and a quick, easy read. The sometimes graphic details or adult situations make it more suitable for older teens and adults. Show Less
LibraryThing member desiree85
I thought there would be a lot more scandal and insight into this iconic legend. It seemed more like whining - but was a guilty read nonetheless!
LibraryThing member quondame
Pretty much one continuous whine. A real object lesson in the pitfalls of having a massive celebrity in the family for both the celebrity and siblings who aren't able to create a strong identity independent of the star. Other than that, any truth is obscured by self-serving or fawning justification.
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
342 p.; 6.13 inches
ISBN
1416587624 / 9781416587620