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Love of My Life

The sensational new biography of the life and loves of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury

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Love of My Life

By: Lesley-Ann Jones
Narrated by: Julie Teal, Lesley-Ann Jones
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 Who was the real love of Freddie Mercury's life . . . ?

'Eyewitness gold' - SUNDAY TIMES

Millions of Queen and screen fans who watched the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody believe that Mary Austin, the woman he could never quite let go of, was the love of Freddie Mercury's life. But the truth is infinitely more complicated.

Best-selling biographer and music writer Lesley-Ann Jones explores the charismatic frontman's romantic encounters, from his boarding school years in Panchgani, India to his tragic, final, bed-ridden days in his magnificent London mansion. She reveals why none of his love interests ever perfected the art of being Freddie's life partner.

In Love of My Life, the author follows him through his obsessions with former shop girl Mary, German actress Barbara Valentin and Irish-born barber boyfriend Jim Hutton. She explores his adoration of globally fêted Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé. She delves into his intimate friendship with Elton John, and probes his imperishable bonds with his fellow band members. She deconstructs his complicated relationship with the 'food of love' - his music - and examines closely his voracious appetite for - what some would call his fatal addiction to - sex. Which of these was the real love of Freddie Mercury's life? Was any of them?

Drawing on personal interviews and first-hand encounters, this moving book brings to the fore a host of Freddie's lesser-known loves, weaving them in and out of the passions that consumed him. The result, a mesmerising portrait of a legendary rock star, is unputdownable. Love of My Life, published during the year of the 30th anniversary of his death and that would have seen his 75th birthday, is Lesley-Ann's personal and compassionate tribute to an artist she has revered for as long as she has written about music and musicians.©2021 Lesley-Ann Jones Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Musician
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I was so looking forward to this book, but had to return it as found the narrator's unnecessary Irish and American 'accents' annoying and distracting whenever quotes from Jim Hutton or Jimi Hendrix came up. I do wish the narrator of the introduction had performed the whole book. Will buy the print edition this time as a fan of both Freddie and the author.

Interesting book, poor narration

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That’s the sound of another name being dropped by the author of all the famous people she knows personally. For a book that’s about the lives and loves of Freddie I think I learned more about Ms. Jones’ personal life than Freddie’s.

Between the retread of stories from her first Mercury biography and the meandering passages on Jimi Hendrix or the history of Jim Hutton’s hometown (for example) it was light on insight and not always convincing in its conclusions. Quite a bit of padding.

I did like the sections that challenged the accuracy of the film and it was good to see Barbara Valentin get more exposure. But ultimately I’m none the wiser about Freddie.

Regarding the performance, the accents were ok mostly but some of the pronunciations were strange, specifically pronouncing Voodoo Chile as voodoo chilly or Montserrat Cabbale spring to mind!

Clang!

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The book is mostly filler, consisting of several hours of the author’s irrelevant opinions and conclusions. The only interesting bits are those gathered from the people who knew Freddie: Barbara Valentin, Jim Hutton and Peter Freestone. Also, it’s insane how wrong the author pronounces some major names: Montserrat “Kuhbahlah”… 🙄

A lot of filler.

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