Steve McQueen has been gone for 30 years and the number of people that remember when he was A Famous Movie Star are naturally diminishing. However, his story is so compelling that familiarity with just one of his movies will make this book worth your time. Any bikers or car racing enthusiasts will find much to enjoy as well. My suggestions are Bullitt, On any Sunday, or The Great Escape - all of which feature impressive car or bike sequences.
Steve grew up in what now seems like another age. His father abandoned the family quickly, and his mother apparently felt that she was unable to earn a living and raise Steve also. He was left with a kindly uncle, who helped him learn some measure of discipline as a child. Reunited as a teen with his mother, he drifted into minor crime, reform school, and a few years floating around the world drinking and let's say 'dating actively'- before trying to make his way as an actor in New York.
Neile Adams was far more successful than Steve when they fell in love and married - in just four months. She subordinated her career to his as soon as possible, because he wouldn't have it any other way. He was willful, stubborn, hopelessly self centered yet kind and generous, a gamboling boy inside a big tough guy. He had to be the center of all attention, and Neile's attention especially.
Steve was relentlessly unfaithful and a committed drug user from well before their marriage. His bad habits were fueled rather than calmed by his success. The debacles and humiliations related to women and drugs steadily escalated over the years to the point that Neile could no longer tolerate it. She remained his best friend and closest adviser until his death by all accounts. This book relates the story, from Boy meets Girl to the ugly end and back to friendship in a warm, honest and loving way. Neile managed somehow keep her exasperation from becoming bitterness, her disappointment from becoming defeat. She was the love of Steve's life, as he's stated elsewhere, and the reason why is clear in this story. I became a fan of hers during the course of the book.
She is a one time author, and should be heartily commended for her organization, style and ability to tell a story, and her publisher as well for brilliantly allowing her to do so. A critical edit would have resulted in a few different terms and possibly a bit more streamlining, but it wouldn't have been the same story.
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LE CORRE Jean-Yves
Captivant, passionnant et touchant...
Reviewed in France on February 15, 2022
LE CORRE Jean-Yves
Reviewed in France on February 15, 2022
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