Performing Arts
![Harvey Fierstein - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B000APLAZO.jpg)
I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir
A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award–winning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career
Harvey Fierstein's legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He's received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most of the tales-of personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled career-revealed in these wildly entertaining pages.
I Was Better Last Night bares the inner life of this eccentric nonconforming child from his roots in 1952 Brooklyn, to the experimental worlds of Andy Warhol and the Theatre of the Ridiculous, to the gay rights movements of the seventies and the tumultuous AIDS crisis of the eighties, through decades of addiction, despair, and ultimate triumph.
Mr. Fierstein's candid recollections provide a rich window into downtown New York City life, gay culture, and the evolution of theater (of which he has been a defining figure), as well as a moving account of his family's journey of acceptance. I Was Better Last Night is filled with wisdom gained, mistakes made, and stories that come together to describe an astonishingly colorful and meaningful life. Lucky for us all, his unique and recognizable voice is as engaging, outrageously funny, and vulnerable on the page.
Harvey Fierstein's legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He's received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most of the tales-of personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled career-revealed in these wildly entertaining pages.
I Was Better Last Night bares the inner life of this eccentric nonconforming child from his roots in 1952 Brooklyn, to the experimental worlds of Andy Warhol and the Theatre of the Ridiculous, to the gay rights movements of the seventies and the tumultuous AIDS crisis of the eighties, through decades of addiction, despair, and ultimate triumph.
Mr. Fierstein's candid recollections provide a rich window into downtown New York City life, gay culture, and the evolution of theater (of which he has been a defining figure), as well as a moving account of his family's journey of acceptance. I Was Better Last Night is filled with wisdom gained, mistakes made, and stories that come together to describe an astonishingly colorful and meaningful life. Lucky for us all, his unique and recognizable voice is as engaging, outrageously funny, and vulnerable on the page.
Editorial Reviews
"Scrumptious . . . The Harvey Fierstein glimpsed here is tantalizingly, defiantly, irreducibly complex. It's a pity Sondheim isn't around to offer the contradictory protagonist of this memoir the musical he deserves."--Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times
"A raw, funny and fabulous memoir . . . Fierstein shares his life less in conventional chapters than in colorful patches: 59 of them, stitched together with photos and a plush index. The sum of this is warm and enveloping and indeed two-sided: One is a raw, cobwebby tale of anger, hurt, indignation and pain; flip it over and you get billowing ribbons of humor, gossip and fabulous, hot-pink success . . . With a dramaturge's expert timing, Fierstein saves the most difficult anecdote of his upbringing for near the end, like the classic 11 o'clock number in musical theater. A story about his mother's reaction to his accidental coming-out, it's a pin prick to the heart. Actually it makes the heart a pin cushion." --Alexandra Jacobs, The New York Times
"I love this book. Harvey Fierstein turns a phrase into a novel and the personal into the universal. The day for this book has come." --Gloria Steinem
"Harvey's book is a perfect reflection of him; full of heart, chutzpah, great stories, and tons of belly laughs. And wigs." --Andy Cohen
"Harvey is the king and queen of Broadway. He can take you on a journey with his words and he is hysterical." --Henry Winkler
"I am in awe of Harvey's theatrical history. From being among the vanguard of New York's Experimental Theatre, through Warhol, to Broadway musicals. Who can touch that? His memoir is extraordinary, and he is in a class by himself." --Patti LuPone
"This is a beautiful memoir - full of humor and heart - I read it in 2 days - smiling laughing and wiping away tears - don't miss this book - a great read from a wonderful man - I love Harvey Firestein." -- Rosie O'Donnell
"Harvey Fierstein is a true American original who has blazed his own trail through popular culture for half-a-century. His memoir is every bit as witty and brave and big-hearted as the man himself." --Armistead Maupin
"Fierstein… looks back on his show-biz travails and the struggle for gay rights in this raucous debut memoir. He recaps his parts in theater, movies, and TV…as well as lurid episodes from New York's gay demimonde of the 1970s and '80s, and a bout with alcoholism that ended with a suicide attempt. Readers will appreciate his blunt takes on anti-gay discrimination in matters small and large…Defined by a campy yet bittersweet comic sensibility, Fierstein's vivid writing about the pratfalls, exhilaration, and painstaking craft of a life in theater beguiles." --Publishers Weekly
"The...
"A raw, funny and fabulous memoir . . . Fierstein shares his life less in conventional chapters than in colorful patches: 59 of them, stitched together with photos and a plush index. The sum of this is warm and enveloping and indeed two-sided: One is a raw, cobwebby tale of anger, hurt, indignation and pain; flip it over and you get billowing ribbons of humor, gossip and fabulous, hot-pink success . . . With a dramaturge's expert timing, Fierstein saves the most difficult anecdote of his upbringing for near the end, like the classic 11 o'clock number in musical theater. A story about his mother's reaction to his accidental coming-out, it's a pin prick to the heart. Actually it makes the heart a pin cushion." --Alexandra Jacobs, The New York Times
"I love this book. Harvey Fierstein turns a phrase into a novel and the personal into the universal. The day for this book has come." --Gloria Steinem
"Harvey's book is a perfect reflection of him; full of heart, chutzpah, great stories, and tons of belly laughs. And wigs." --Andy Cohen
"Harvey is the king and queen of Broadway. He can take you on a journey with his words and he is hysterical." --Henry Winkler
"I am in awe of Harvey's theatrical history. From being among the vanguard of New York's Experimental Theatre, through Warhol, to Broadway musicals. Who can touch that? His memoir is extraordinary, and he is in a class by himself." --Patti LuPone
"This is a beautiful memoir - full of humor and heart - I read it in 2 days - smiling laughing and wiping away tears - don't miss this book - a great read from a wonderful man - I love Harvey Firestein." -- Rosie O'Donnell
"Harvey Fierstein is a true American original who has blazed his own trail through popular culture for half-a-century. His memoir is every bit as witty and brave and big-hearted as the man himself." --Armistead Maupin
"Fierstein… looks back on his show-biz travails and the struggle for gay rights in this raucous debut memoir. He recaps his parts in theater, movies, and TV…as well as lurid episodes from New York's gay demimonde of the 1970s and '80s, and a bout with alcoholism that ended with a suicide attempt. Readers will appreciate his blunt takes on anti-gay discrimination in matters small and large…Defined by a campy yet bittersweet comic sensibility, Fierstein's vivid writing about the pratfalls, exhilaration, and painstaking craft of a life in theater beguiles." --Publishers Weekly
"The...
Readers Top Reviews
Robert J. Katz
This memoir is a joy; it's Harvey Fierstein naked for the world to see; brilliant with a problem that he conquers. He is catty, a bit, but so full of love for almost everyone he works with. The one person he admits was a genuis but an ugly, nasty soul he paints so true to life it's actually a laugh out loud moment when you flip the page and see his picture. He looks like a wolverine ready to attack an injured doe.The photo of him berating a famous actress at what should be a happy celebration tells you all you need to know. Fierstein is so honest with/about himself at times it hurts.A national treasure has written a wonderful memoir.
Harry Pageturner i
Fierstein delivers an incredibly entertaining memoir with endearing humility. Loved it. Harvey is a treasure.
Aaron
Warm hearted. Big laughs. Touching insight. You feel like you’re chatting with a friend about their life.
P. Harris
This memoir is filled with wit and funny that is a layer a lower covering a serious observation of self. Looks backs at oneself with smiles.
