Book review
Title: Kiss me like a stranger: my search for love and art (Audiobook)
Author: Gene Wilder
In ten words or less: Actor tells of his career and personal life.
Review: Wilder reads his own book, and it tells of his extraordinary life on stage and in film. He grew up in Milwaukee with a sick mother, a supportive family which included an older sister who was studying acting. Gene followed in her footsteps, to the University of Iowa, spent two years in the army as a medic at a psychiatric hospital at Valley Forge, and on to the stage in New York.
Wilder worked in serious stage drama, and then Mel Brooks offered him the role of Leo Bloom in “The Producers.” Other comedy roles followed, “Young Frankenstein,” “Blazing Saddles,” and films with Richard Pryor, such as “Silver Streak.” During this period Wilder has two failed marriages, and a rocky relationship with his step daughter, whom he adopted.
His marriage to Gilda Radner is described with humor, sensitivity, and love. Her battle with cancer and death was followed by Wilder’s own bout with cancer. Wilder’s book is funny, interesting, moving, but never maudlin.
Why bother? A good listen(or read) for fans of Wilder.
Title: Kiss me like a stranger: my search for love and art (Audiobook)
Author: Gene Wilder
In ten words or less: Actor tells of his career and personal life.
Review: Wilder reads his own book, and it tells of his extraordinary life on stage and in film. He grew up in Milwaukee with a sick mother, a supportive family which included an older sister who was studying acting. Gene followed in her footsteps, to the University of Iowa, spent two years in the army as a medic at a psychiatric hospital at Valley Forge, and on to the stage in New York.
Wilder worked in serious stage drama, and then Mel Brooks offered him the role of Leo Bloom in “The Producers.” Other comedy roles followed, “Young Frankenstein,” “Blazing Saddles,” and films with Richard Pryor, such as “Silver Streak.” During this period Wilder has two failed marriages, and a rocky relationship with his step daughter, whom he adopted.
His marriage to Gilda Radner is described with humor, sensitivity, and love. Her battle with cancer and death was followed by Wilder’s own bout with cancer. Wilder’s book is funny, interesting, moving, but never maudlin.
Why bother? A good listen(or read) for fans of Wilder.
