Life with My Sister Madonna [Hardcover]

 

 

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I wasn't gonna buy this 'cause Madonna was furious about this book so out of respect for her i didn't want to but i just couldn't resist!!! It was a really good read but if you are a big Madonna fan and you are willing to believe what Chris has written about his sister, then her "Nice" personality that she is showing to the world is basically shattered! Me personally I didn't take this book seriously. Brothers and Sisters always fight and always will. This book is kinda a testament of that. This book does however really get across the point of just how much having a mother die at such a young age can really affect the kids. Great read!!!

I do agree with some of the other reviews, this book doesn't really give you too much insight on Madonna's character but it is written by her brother which does give a different perspective. So for that reason, I think it's a great book. I couldn't put it down. I was shocked to read about how poorly Christopher was treated by her. Even the stories he told about "big name" people, I still can't believe some of the things I read. I definitely enjoyed it...I think you should give it a go!

Life with My Sister Madonna, by Christopher Ciccone, is a revealing look into the life of Madonna, the "global icon". It is also about Christopher, their relationship, family, friends and fans.

The book begins with a prologue that takes place in London in 1993 and portrays the good times between brother and sister. Christopher explains that Madonna is an insomniac: "unbridled desire for fame and fortune, you see, is incompatible with sleep."

Madonna is portrayed as someone with both a massive ego and riddled with insecurities. She was very nervous about performing for the 1991 Academy Awards, because it was in front of established actors, "whose respect she desperately wanted to win."

Those who worked for her--including Christopher--knew to praise her during and after performances and movie premiers--no matter how poorly she acted, no matter what. When Madonna hired a new person to dress her between performances, for example, Christopher told him to keep quiet, except when Madonna asked, How do I look?" The reply: "Wonderful Madonna, wonderful."

Ciccone writes that Madonna wanted to be a great movie star: "I wish her well, but secretly believe that the only part that she is truly capable of playing is that of herself, Madonna, a part that she has created and curated."

Ouch.

The first chapter begins with their childhood in Rochester, Michigan. Tragically, their mother died when Christopher was 3 years old and Madonna, 5. The father remarries and there are 8 children.

The children are expected to do daily chores and are punished for transgressions; all save Madonna. Christopher writes that she rarely had to do chores and was virtually never punished. He wrote that Joan, his step mom, even seemed a bit afraid of Madonna.

Turns out, Madonna looks like their mother and is dad's favorite.

The book progresses though their lives. In high school, Madonna secretly took ballet classes and got Christopher involved as well. He explains that it was not for his company--which he desperately wanted; rather, the instructor, who Madonna adored, needed a male dancer.

Christopher believes that the disputes between brother and sister come with the addition of Guy Richie into Madonna's life. Richie is portrayed a homophobic jerk and it is obvious that there is no love between the author and Richie.

Ciccone writes that in 2001, Madonna: "treats me as if I am nothing other than a serf paid to decorate her house." He writes about how cheap Madonna is, especially in light of how much money she makes. In 2001, Richie and Madonnas worth were said to be worth $260 million. And Madonna had the highest female annual income in Britain of $43.8 million dollars. Ciccone writes that Madonna perpetually underpaid him, disputed payments and blackmailed Christopher over money. For example, he would not get paid unless he took Kabbalah classes with her.

No matter how badly Madonna treated her brother, he always came back for more, incapable of stopping himself. Madonna's power, so the book indicates, strong from childhood, only got stronger as she aged--making her a powerful, successful magnet that nobody--not even her brother--could resist.

A compelling read.

By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet.

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3.0 out of 5 stars Not too surprised.
I am not too surprised about what I read about Madonna. She's self centered, a diva, stubborn, critical, as well as driven, talented and intelligent. Read more

Published on Feb 3 2010 by C. Ronan

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read!
I always liked Madonna and her music so
I was interested in this book right off the bat.
I personally thought it was fun to read and the
pages turned themselves. Read more

Published on July 19 2009 by Christine

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it
Love Love this book.I think she is an awesome entertainer, fashionista, and business woman. I was totally entralled with Madonna in the early 80's but was only 10 yrs old, so I... Read more

Published on July 7 2009 by Elizabeth Duarte

4.0 out of 5 stars Whiney but Good
This book is quite a page-turner if you are looking for dirt but I found the author's complete lack of self-respect and dignity to be rather annoying throughout. Read more

Published on July 2 2009 by Book Baron

3.0 out of 5 stars Hmm...
Well, I just finished reading this book...which I didn't buy, because the library is cheaper. I think Madonna is the trashiest, egomaniacal diva person alive, and this book... Read more

Published on Dec 31 2008 by The Girl Who Loved Books

5.0 out of 5 stars Great
I dont know why people find it bad. I found it very well writen. I could have read another 300 page.

Published on Dec 4 2008 by Michelle Tremblay

1.0 out of 5 stars Or how I let my sister walk all over me
There's a very true saying that you can choose your friends, but you cannot choose your family. If you could, most modern celebrities would have no family. Read more

Published on Sep 7 2008 by E. A Solinas

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth my money!
Sounds to me like this book was written by a brother who is totally jealous of his sister. He makes her out to look like a horrible mean person. Read more

Published on Aug 22 2008 by Movie Crazy Girl

1.0 out of 5 stars Just plain bad...
Just let me start by saying I'm a HUGE Madonna fan, so my review has nothing to do with a dislike of her.

This book is just lousy. Read more

Published on Aug 16 2008 by Lamepenname

5.0 out of 5 stars This confirms what I always believed!
This book completes every other work I have ever read on the diva. It really fill in the blanks. If you do not know much about Madonna, you might find this book too brief. Read more

Published on Aug 5 2008 by Martine

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