Single Sundays: Me by Elton John

Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:

Synopsis for Me (from Goodreads):

In his only official autobiography, music icon Elton John writes about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the film Rocketman.

Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was on his first tour of America, facing an astonished audience in his tight silver hotpants, bare legs and a T-shirt with ROCK AND ROLL emblazoned across it in sequins. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.

His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.

In Me Elton also writes about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: 2020 Fav
Author: Elton John
Genre: Autobiography, Nonfiction
Heat Rating: N/A
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: October 15, 2019
Source & Format: Borrowed–Hardcover

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Elton John is one of those timeless artists for me. I ADORE his music and it has always been on my bucket list to see him in concert.

When his film Rocketman was coming out, I told everyone at work about it. And one of my coworkers (who is also a fan) recommended I read his new autobiography, she lent me her copy and I dove right in.

The Concept:

When I watch autobiographical movies or movies based on historical events, I’m always fact checking everything immediately after I watch them. So finishing Rocketman was the perfect segway into this book.

Elton tells his story from when he was a wee boy, to his first big hit, to his struggles with success and all the way up into the present. In someways, it felt like the behind the scenes view of the movie with an extended epilogue.

The Writing:

I often struggle with autobiographical novels because they seem to be filled with endless ramblings of celebrity personal philosophies and I find that to be boring to read about. But not here!

This book just had a great flow to it. Elton explains everything so well, giving facts and adding his take on the events as they happened and reflecting on what they mean there. He has lived a fascinating life and it was amazing to learn more about the man himself and what was really happening behind the persona he played on stage.

Did it Impact My Life?

In a way, yes. It made me think about the costs of success and the struggles some people have had to face in their lives. It also just cemented the idea to me that Elton was a pioneer of his craft and one hell of a guy.