A big serving of Luciano Lite, ladled out by the affable tenor in generous portions. Pavarotti and collaborator Wright have made a veritable industry out of the singer's life; this is their third ``as-told- to'' project, picking up the thread of Pavarotti's life story about 15 years ago. The Three Tenors concerts; Latin American tours; running the Philadelphia Vocal Competition; sponsoring a new international horse show; performing in exotic locales like China and Singapore are the highlights of the singer's recent life. The character that Pavarotti and Wright create in this memoir is unrelentingly upbeat, positive, and never bears a grudge; Wright describes him as a person of ``unwavering humanity . . . across- the-board compassion . . . [and] absence of rancor.'' Although Pavarotti's larger-than-life personality dominates the book, some of the colorful characters who make up the operatic world also appear, particularly Hungarian-born promoter Tibor Rudas, who specializes in arranging grand-scale extravaganzas like Pavarotti's outdoor concert on Miami Beach. Pavarotti offers us brief portraits of the many famous people he has met, from Princess Diana (``so lovely, so kind, and so poised'') to Bruce Springsteen (``Like me, he appears to draw terrific energy from an audience''). Rumors of ill will between Pavarotti and his archrival Placido Domingo are quickly brushed aside (``We [are] completely friendly''), although there are no amusing anecdotes about Pavarotti spending his free time with Domingo, or indeed any other superstar singer. He reveals little tension or anxiety in his extended family (``My Wonderful Family,'' as one chapter titles them), even when he discusses a mysterious illness that plagued his youngest daughter. Coauthor Wright annoyingly inserts himself in the narrative as a character; Pavarotti is constantly commenting on ``Bill's'' presence, as if he were as important as the other characters. As light as a puff pastry, and as sugary sweet, but you'll be left hungry for more. (color and b&w photos, not seen) (Author tour)
Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1995
ISBN: 0-517-70027-1
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1995
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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