Mercury and Me

I loved this book. I read it pretty much in one sitting, and found it thoroughly engrossing. The writing is extremely simple; it feels like you're talking to Jim directly as he tells you about his life with Freddie rather than reading a professionally-written memoir. (To that effect, I wonder what role Tim Wapshott had in this book's creation? It feels too organic to have been ghostwritten, at least entirely.) Anyway, that may or may not detract from the book for some folks. It's honest--perhaps *too* honest, in a few places--and everything is filtered through Jim's perspective, which means that especially the end might rub some people the wrong way, depending on how positively you want to perceive Mary. It therefore may come across as unfair, the picture he paints of her, but this book is unfiltered: it still bears the marks of grief of a man who's just lost the love of his life--and no doubt Mary was grieving, too. Grief can make people do strange things. And while I can understand that some people would feel that Jim's revealing so much about his life with Freddie is a betrayal--well, then everyone's betrayed him. Everyone's committed the same "sin". I can't think of a single person who was close to him (with the exception of John Deacon?) who hasn't given at least one interview, and most have gone on to give several lengthy ones and / or to write books. For better or for worse, that's so--and for better or for worse, accounts of various events (especially conversations--some of them crucial) don't always match up. Grief can make people do strange things, and grief can mar memories. One thing I particularly appreciate is Jim's not really touching on Freddie's past relationship with Mary. That gets brought up a lot, mostly with speculation, and particularly when people deign it necessary to have sometimes heated debates over whether Freddie was gay or bisexual. That Jim didn't even touch on that issue, I think, speaks volumes about the kind of person he was. There are many different ways to love, and he knew that, for the years they were together, he was Freddie's, and Freddie was his. And that was good enough for them. (That said, Jim refers to Freddie as gay on a couple of occasions, and never as bisexual, so if that, uhm, "triggers you", as the kids say these days, then here's a friendly heads up.) Anyway--I loved this book. Is it simple? Yes. Are there typos? Yes. Does Jim repeat himself? Oh yes. Are there tidbits of information that we probably didn't need to know? Yep. But, as I said, that's what made it so special: it really felt like you were just sitting in a chair opposite, listening to him reminisce. Still if that sort of thing isn't your cup of tea, and / or if you're looking strictly for nothing but irrefutable facts . . . this isn't the memoir for you. If you don't mind those things, I can't recommend this book enough.

I purchased this book because I found a superb deal on it but I had a heavy heart about reading the contents. It's a quick read but I really tried to pace myself so as to remain as impartial as possible. Knowing what a private person Freddie mercury was and how he felt about sharing the intimate relationships in his life, it was really difficult to understand why the partner in his final days who helped take care of him could write of their relationship and be a true partner. The jury is still out on that one for me, and definetly leaning in the guilty direction. What about being loyal and true even after death? I have to believe that something was lacking in a person that would betray the one he loved and cared for til death. What did the gold wedding band mean if not true love? I only hope that it helped the author to get through the final years of his life in some way. There is definetly a resentment between Freddies girlfriend Mary Austin and Mr. Hutton which would be better off left untold. Makes you wonder what meant more to him;being HIV positive or accepted by Mary Austin. At any rate being a loving die hard fan of queen and Freddie Mercury there is deep graditude for Jim Huttons presence in Freddies life for the fact that he was seemingly happier and became true to just that one partner. It was evident in his looks and his demeanor that he was happy to be settled down amd no longer promiscuous. The question comes to mind about why he insisted on leaving the bulk of his estate to her rather than to his family and closest friends. I suppose he must have trusted her for some reason that was known only to him. If you can prepare yourself for lots of sadness and plenty of tears and you feel you need to know about Freddie and his last lover then try to get a good deal on this book. I got an excellent library edition paperback Mercury and Me that is near flawless and already sealed cover to cover in clear lamanent. CORRECTION: this is a good used Hardcopy. The library copy is queen as it began. I have read several and I like Peter freestones book a lot. I am presently reading mercury and me for the second time. If not for telling private things I would agree that he loved Freddie. Perhaps he loved the status it gave him. Afterall Freddie persued Jim. Jim admitted that Freddie wasn't even his type. Why did Mary Austin treat these three so cruel? I think she may have resented them all because she lost Freddie to them. Her ego was surely hurt more than anyone could know. And probably her heart got broken even though she accepted it and maintained her dignity. Perhaps though she accepted it for Freddie but never forgave the ones who took Freddie away from her. I believe Freddie felt that he owed her. He was never even able to fire anyone who worked at garden lodge he just gave them another job After his passing she was free to rid herself of the ones whom he chose to be with. Probably just human nature. I do hope that jim and freds spirits live on and are reunited as friends or whatever Freddie chooses.

This is truly one of the best Audio Stories I have listened too . Such a great Book by Jim Hutton it has to be the most honest & real experience and Journey with Freddie Anyone has ever had Jim was Freddies Husband would highly recommend this Audio to anyone beautifully Read and great CD Quality which is a Must Have for any Queen Fan 10/10

ガーデンロッジでフレディと過ごした7年間の日々をジムハットンの言葉で書いてあります。 ジムの写真のフレディとジム、猫たち、ジョーとフォビーを見ていて切なくなりました。 幸せそうでした。お互い最愛の日々だったのだと伺えます。 後半はフレディの最後と、死後の元恋人マリーの冷酷な仕打ちが真実として綴られています。 元恋人のマリーが、フレディの死後、彼を看取ったジムとアシスタント、料理人をガーデンロッジから叩き出したくだりは涙が止まらない。彼らと暮らしていた猫たちも譲らなかった。 ジム、今度こそフレディと、ジョーとミコとデライラと一緒に貴方がフレディのために作った庭のあるガーデンロッジで安らかにお眠り下さい。Rest in Peace, Jim

A pesar de que Freddie no le gustaba publicar nada sobre su vida privada, no creo que este libro sea una traición hacia él, sino un reclamo por parte de Jim de confirmar que él estuvo allí y que su historia de amor existió. Y de que todo el mundo conozca la verdadera historia de cómo se le trato al final una vez fallecido Freddie, por esos amigos de éste que traicionaron sus últimas voluntades y ni siquiera estuvieron con él en todo momento como Jim estuvo. Habla de Freddie de una forma muy cariñosa, de lo tierno y lo diva que fue. Recomendable para cualquier fan de Queen, no os decepcionará.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 I can't count the amount of car journeys I had growing up when my father was playing Queen. My father is a massive Queen fan and admirer of Freddie Mercury (he even sprouts a Freddie Mercury style moustache). Sadly, I am the only other Queen fan obsessive in the Walker household and so when I saw Jim Hutton's autobiography I leapt at the chance to read it and it was a highly enjoyable read. Jim Hutton, who sadly passed away, was Freddie Mercury's self-professed 'husband'. The story starts with a Hutton newly single meeting (and being pursued by) Freddie and his relationship with Freddie until Freddie's death. One of the main things I enjoyed was the fact it is very readable. The danger with autobiographies is that they can either contain too much (pointless) information and read like a textbook or they can be monotonous with "I did this.. Then I did this... Then I..." Hutton's work strikes a great balance between the two. Although a 'professional'* writer has helped, it feels very authentic as Hutton's story and I don't think it detracts in anyway from the book. My only criticism is that some parts read like a shopping list with "he bought... this which was really expensive and... and he bought so and so... " but I think that is just personal preference. *(does anyone know what they are doing?) For those curious, I'll let you know what it covers. This autobiography gives more insight into Freddie, his personality and his antics than it does the band. There are very few behind the scenes glances into 'Queen', mainly because Hutton didn't spend a great deal of time with the band when it was being Queen. This probably isn't the best read if you just want all the inside details on Queen. I was surprised to learn that Freddie was not closer with the other bandmates but, I suppose, after spending so much time in the studios and on tour together a little time apart is refreshing. Having said that about the band, Hutton does cover Freddie's relationship with Monserrat Cabelle or Montsy as she was known by Freddie. I was hoping that it would address the factoid that Freddie refused to continue working with Michael Jackson because Jackson insisted on bringing animals into the studio but all Hutton suggests was that Freddie found MJ difficult to work with. (Perhaps someone can confirm or discredit this?) I found reading about Freddie's final months and days very difficult to read. I am glad I stayed up through the night reading (and crying) until the last page because I doubt I could have found the strength to face reading the rest of the book. It is not a case of 'oh he died' peacefully and unexpectedly one day in his sleep. Hutton is very honest that Freddie's descent was protracted, painful and unglamorous. On the other hand, this autobiography has many laugh out loud moments. There are a lot of anecdotes too which I now share with my parents that they seem to enjoy, more than my others anyway. Two of my favourites ones are that Freddie's pin up was Burt Reynolds and that Freddie bought Butler and Wilson jewellery; by sheer coincidence I have a few pieces and so now when I wear them I think of Freddie. I have more anecdotes but why spoil the book? I usually read other reviews before I write my own. This mainly is to see if others shared 'my' opinion or if I missed anything and I have to say I was surprised to read about the whole Mary vs Jim controversy over Freddie's will and whether Hutton was 'cashing in'. For those who don't know, Mary Austin was Freddie's fiancé until Freddie confided he was gay. I'm not going to spend long on these controversies because, frankly, I'm not a historian - I don't have access to any additional facts other than my humble Sherlockian skills of abduction. I remember when my own grandmother died from cancer, and although I was ten, I remember relatives saying things they shouldn't have. I think that grief warps our emotions (and in turn our perception and reactions) and I don't think either of them are, or were, overtly reliable. Also, there is a noticeable absence of John Deacon in the post-Freddie "Queen" line up so a few Hutton criticisms could equally be levelled at May and Taylor. It all ends there as far as I'm concerned, no good is going to come of raking up that particular patch of time. Overall, it was a really great book, a real roller-coster ride and is a must read for any obsessive Freddie/Queen fan. If you can buy the book, I would recommend getting a physical copy as the Kindle pictures are obviously in black and white

Muy buen libro