Life with My Sister Madonna
by Christopher Ciccone, Wendy Leigh
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Book Reviews of Life with My Sister Madonna
Book Review: Poor, Poor Christopher
Summary: 1 Stars
It is obvious that Madonna's brother wrote this book out of pure jealousy for his sister's success. Is Madonna the most artful and talented person on the planet? Not by a longshot. Is she a great character? Yes. Is she great at selling herself, her image? Yes. Is she worth the money she's making? Totally.
But poor poor Christopher. He had to live his life under his sister's shadow. The whole book reads like this sad attempt at tarnishing his sister's image because she no longer wants him to be a true part of his life. And who can blame her? The author is whiny, self-absorbed and thinks he is much more important than he truly is.
The point of the book is to tell us that he's had a great deal to do with Madonna's success. Ok, so he listened to her from times to times. He was her dresser and dancer for a while. He even did the art direction on some of her tours. Does that equal making Madonna's career? Not by a long shot. He never produced her music, never wrote any of her songs, never actually truly adviced her about her career choices (although he does tell her she's great even when she isn't on every page, a good suckup). And yet, he resents the fact that Madonna has all this money and only provided him with the type of pay that would be given to all of her other employees. Poor, poor Christopher.
At one point in the book, Madonna does not want to use her brother's services at decorating her house because she thinks he is a drug addict. The author denies this yet keeps on telling us about all the parties he attended, all the drugs he's done with famous people, all the alcohol he's had during his party years? Hhmm... doesn't that make a person an addict? Who can blame Madonna for not trusting her brother. (A one point, he even steals from her while decorating a house and when Madonna finds out and gets mad at him, he casts her out as a drama queen. Where's the logic in that?)
Christopher calls himself creative yet never does much to help his career. Oh, wait. He does befriend many celebrities (Demi Moore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, many fashion designers and models) in the hopes that they will boost their career. But when they realise he is a leech, they discard him and he feels like they are trying to destroy his so-called talent. So what does he do? Tell gossip about each and every one of them of course!
Ok, maybe he's a decent designer. But he tries painting once and he calls himself a painter. He writes one screenplay and calls himself a screenwriter. He takes photographs and has one show in a gallery and calls himself an art photographer. Honestly, who cares? He cannot stay focused on one thing for more than five minutes and when Madonna doesn't trust him to do a job to the end, he is insulted. In the end, he is more mean-spirited and one-sided than his sister ever was to him.
The whole book (badly written and as repetitive as it is) feels like a poor attempt to destroy his sister's career because he is no longer under her wing and no longer has the glorious life he once had. I don't think Madonna's perfect. I'm not even that big a fan of hers. But after reading this book, I can truly see why she would cast out her obsessive, self-absorbed and whiny brother out of her life.
Poor, poor Christopher. You were never much of anything when your sister is everything.
Book Review: Fascinating look at Madonna's personality and family
Summary: 4 Stars
I'm not sure why several critics have dismissed this book as whiny or bitter; I found it to be filled with interesting facts, providing some access to Madonnaland (though her world is part fantasy, part reality -- not in touch with many "real world" problems, as you might expect). Ciccone is not whiny - most people would be upset if they weren't paid for their work! But it's also a sad book, as Madonna and Christopher's relationship slowly disintegrates until they are alienated from each other. I would be devastated to lose the friendship and trust of either of my sisters, especially after knowing and sticking up for them for many years.
Being a huge Madonna fan, I was desperate to read this book and find out more about her. The author has wondered why millions are obsessed with her "mediocre" talent, and sometimes I wonder why I'm so intrigued by her. I love her dancing and music, but there are superior artists who don't get as much attention. I guess it's because she's so powerful and dominating. I don't know, it's difficult to define. Anyway, I still love her and I loved feeling closer to her (and her brother) through this book, though I realize that no one can really get "close" to her.
I already knew she was egotistic and selfish, but I'm now more aware of her self-absorbed nature, barely noticing anyone but herself. Bored when the conversation isn't about her. And I didn't know how hard she tries to please her husband, Guy Ritchie. Drinking beer only because he likes it, calling herself Mrs. Ritchie (Ciccone pointed out that she never referred to herself as Mrs. Penn). I never thought much of Ritchie, but now I don't care for him at all. He seems rude, cold, homophobic, and insecure. And I wonder how hard he tries to please her.
I enjoyed the family photos, many of which I've never seen. I also liked the excerpts from Ciccone's emails to Madonna (she never used a subject line in her emails). And I have a new list of her favorite things, which include:
-Hot Tamales (candy)
-Dali's "The Veiled Heart" (http://www.virtualdali.com/assets/paintings/32VeiledHeart.jpg)
-Marlene Dietrich
-the movies Morocco, Mildred Pierce, The Blue Angel
-Annick Goutal's "Gardenia Passion" (perfume)
I already knew that she liked lemon drops (the drink) and Frida Kahlo.
Other surprises - Her son Rocco's Versace christening outfit cost $45,000. She was in a London play called "Up for Grabs" in which she made out with a woman. When the Ciccone siblings played Monopoly together, Madonna insisted on owning Park Place, even if she didn't land on it. This puzzled me because Park Place isn't the #1 block of real estate. Why would she choose the second-best instead of Boardwalk? It makes me think of her song "Express Yourself", in which she instructs us to never go for "second-best." Oh well...but then again, Park Place is worth more than AC's Boardwalk in reality (and who wouldn't favor NYC over NJ?).
But interestingly, one of the lasting images I have of this book is the eerie description of a lake on Sting's property: the lake has an island in the middle of it. On the island is a large tree, and there's a story that a girl died there. Sometimes you can still see her ghost, dressed in a white gown.
Great work, Christopher, I really enjoyed reading this!
Book Review: Where's the REAL story???
Summary: 3 Stars
Okay, here is what I think about this book. I have followed Madonna's career since I was 10 years old in 1984. I have watched with religion every concert tour, movie, etc. So, as I read through the book, I was actually paying attention to the details he wrote, and I would give him 99.99% accuracy on when he would comment on things she said during certain events as you can easily pull up the DVD and see it.
Now, here's the things I found to be most interesting and also, ironic (bordering on hypocritical!)
01.) If he spent from 1983 until almost 1997 almost living with her non-stop, surely he saw more than what he wrote in the book.
02.) He writes about all of his bitterness and disappointment, yet finishes with all sorts of whining about how he wants to be close to her again. He is VERY passive-aggressive, but yet, complains about it when Madonna or his father does it.
03.) For someone who wants so desperately to break away from her shadow and do something to make himself known for being himself and a talent of his own, why did he write a "tell-all" about Madonna? Is that not just reemphasizing that he is Madonna's brother--not Christopher Ciccone--and in fact, only promoting the "Madonna juggernaut" (he uses that term to describe her)??
Now, here's what I find interesting: He talks about how Madonna would play Warren Beatty who in turn was playing her, and then of course he was playing Madonna only to find out she was really playing him. I don't think you have the right to be hurt when you are a player just as much as the people you're complaining about.
Throughout this entire book, there seems to be a recurring theme: Christopher is MADONNA'S most loyal fan, and how dare she not put him on a pedastal for it. Yes, she did treat him poorly at times, but you have to remember: We're hearing HIS side only. I am not one to nurture someone's pity party. Yes, he got the short end a lot; however, he has now had experiences that very few people have, and yes, Christopher, that one time she snaps at you and says she made you who you are today, well, she did, in essence, make you what you are today by giving you many opportunities and exposure to the celebrity world.
He mentions several times about his finances being in shambles. I can only imagine this was a last ditch effort, a cry for help, something--to help him regain some money (which, I think he's making bank for this book), but yet, in the end, he still sounds like a co-dependent little boy wanting to be Madonna's best friend again. As a gay man (talking about myself), we need to realize that as a hetero woman matures, gets married, and has kids, it's hard for her to remain loyal to the non-nuclear family members when she is trying to build a family as she gets older. Christopher really needs to distance himself and find his own life. I feel he is wanting to revert back and instead of moving forward. I hate to sound cold, but I really think that would do him well.
Also, I just know--absolutely KNOW--there is more dirt than this. Perhaps in 5 years when they still aren't talking they'll release the uncut version so we can find out the real dirt as this book is not that revealing.
Anybody feel this way or think I'm being too harsh?
Book Review: He has a tale to tell
Summary: 3 Stars
I'm not one to write a review, but i feel i must do so after reading this book, if only to clear my mind as to what i just soaked in.
I have been a HUGE Madonna fan since she started out over 25 years ago.
After reading this book by her brother Christopher, i am still a Madonna fan, and i probably always will be.
This book does not uncover any deep dark secrets, or has he said in a morning show "uncover any dead bodies anywhere".
It's not really a fascinating read. It is almost as if i am listening to a bunch of bitter babble.
As one reviewer wrote, after the first door slam in my face, famous sister or not...i would never have gone back for more. No Matter how bad i wanted into the industry my sister was in and how bad i sought fame like her....if she or anyone for that matter was to treat me in a way i thought was unfair...i would have removed myself from the situation immediately and went on with my own life. I would have never went back for more and more and more and more.
Christopher did this all to himself, and i wanted to feel sorry for him, but i can't.
He was making a decent living with his sister, maybe not what you would expect from someone with the finances as Madonna to pay...but still 100,000 or more for a few tours is ALOT of money.
He wasted alot of his earnings. Why would anyone give 100,000 to an ex-boyfriend just because he felt he had to ?? That is stupid !
If i were him, i would have not lived so star-like (cause he was not a star) and just lived life comfortably, and in his own way he would have been set for life.
He goes on to state his drug habit throughout this tale, and he also brings many other celebrities down with him. Something i am sure he may get sued over in the long run, yet he never mentions his boyfriends by their real names, but has no problem in outing other celebs that have drug habits. Yet is livid when Madonna outs him to a gay magazine.
That just does not add up Christopher, you did to them exactly what she did to you, and you hated her for it. You are no better.
Having read the book in a few days, i did enjoy having an insight into my favorite icon's life.
It is no shock that she is a control freak, spoiled, arrogant, self-righteous person. None whatsoever. No Shock there at all.
I liked knowing what went on behind the scenes at some of her Best Tours, Blond Ambition and The Girlie Show.
I was under a false impression that Truth or Dare was a real documentary and not staged as Christopher states, but part of me is not shocked by that insight either.
What did impress me, is the fact that Madonna remains a drug and alcohol free MEGA STAR ! and to that i give her much deserved credit.
Since she joined Kaballah and has since married Guy, i could tell she has become more of a phony do-gooder celebrity.
I don't buy any of it, i never did...but i still go on loving her, cause as far as a show-woman (and she does give 100% every show) there is no one that can come close to this woman.
Even if she is a fake person, she is NOT a fake showman !
All in all, the book was just OK (3 stars)
and Christopher and Madonna still have a lot of growing up to do.
Thank You
Book Review: Madonna Loyalist to Attack Christopher C! --- Updated!
Summary: 5 Stars
Not since Mary Wilson smashed the walls down of Rossnation with her blistering novels about the Supremes and that Ross woman has a book cause such an uproar!
La Christopher "Chi-Chi" Ciccone dishes the dirt about his famous sister Madonna.
Chi-Chi doesn't hold back and let's Her Vadge have right in her vise grip coochie.
I'd hate to be around the Ciccone table at Thanksgiving. Me thinks Ms Mo might throw a carving knife at her brother.
OK, my previous "review" was before I read the book and did it just to stir it up in here. I see that it worked.
I just finished reading the book today. I really enjoyed it. It's entertaining and interesting. Christopher tells HIS story of his life with his famous sister, Madonna.
The press as always taken the "juicy" parts of the book and ran with it. Which is expected. What I got from this book is that it's probably a bit of therapy for Christopher to write this.
There is nothing shocking about this book. Everyone knows that Madonna is a damn good and smart business woman. She took the recording industry by storm. Madonna jumped feet first into a world of cigar chomping, arrogant white men and threw it right back in their faces and made millions and the world stood up and took notice. She by her own words isn't the best singer or dancer. But she had a vision and drive to make it and she DID. I have always admired her for that. I think she has a great talent to entertian people and by the concert ticket and record sales she sure proved that.
That being said, I'm a fan not a fanatic. There of course was one time when I felt her walked on water. But I'm a gay man of 47 and while I still love my icons, I can now see them in a different "Ray of Light".
This book doesn't take away any effection I have for Madonna as a performer nor take away any love that I have for her for the years of joy her music has given me. It just shows her in a light that I am not shocked to read.
Of course this book will create an uproar. But isn't just what La Ciconne has always wanted? The Madonna Army is throwing fits about this. Defending their Queen, foaming at the mouth writing fake reviews about a book they didn't read. The Madonna haters are jumping for joy pointing fingers saying "I told you so". So what? That's what makes Madonna Ciconne "Madonna".
Overall the book is really fun to read and I read it in three days. If you like to read about the inside lives of the famous, you'll enjoy this book.
On a person note, I'd like to direct this to Christopher, Madonna and their brothers and sisters: While you all may not get along or not speak to each other I offer this word of advice. I would LOVE to be able to fight, laugh and talk to MY brother. But I can't. My only brother died of AIDS in 1989 and wish I could still have him here. Be glad that at this time in your lives you all have each other still on earth.