Customer Reviews

Gypsy and Me

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A very enjoyable read and an wonderful glimpse at a unique mother/son relationship. This book, written by her son, traces the last few years of Gypsy Rose Lee's life, from her last performance as a stripper to her death from cancer. Truly a moving and remarkable book.

Gypsy Rose Lee's autobiography is a favorite of mine.
In fact, I never wanted that book to end. So I was delighted to discover
this biography by her son, Erik Lee Preminger. His behind the scenes tales of growing up with
Gypsy are simply fascinating. This is an incredible glimpse into their lives, told with
sensitivity and wit. I didn't want this book to end, either!

THIS BOOK IS ALSO PUBLISHED UNDER THE TITLE "MY G-STRING MOTHER" My following user review is copied from that listing.

I'm a retired psychologist/psychotherapist and I was VERY impressed by Erik's honesty in reporting his behaviors and feelings. He reported what he thought and felt at the various times through his life with extreme candor and without the slightest attempt (that I saw) to whitewash his own behavior or motivations. Remarkable!!

After recently seeing the movie "Gypsy," I found myself interested in this family's dynamics and wondered how they originated and how they were transmitted through the generations. So I read "American Rose" (1 star, IMO) and "Stripping Gypsy" (5 stars, IMO) and found Gypsy's mother, Momma Rose, was a self-centered, dominating liar, a thief, extreme manipulator, completely lacking empathy, vindictive, and a murderer.

Gypsy is remarkable for the extent she overcame much of her mother's parental influence but she did, of course, pass some of this on to Erik. And Erik (as did his mother) had to wrestle with freeing himself from those negative effects that were passed on to him. I found Gypsy's attempts to do so and Erik's efforts--his failures and successes--in furthering that for himself VERY MUCH something to respect and admire. After all, it's impossible to get out of swamps without getting some mud on your hands and face and in one's skivvies. Erik's book gives another view of a VERY remarkable lady: Gypsy Rose Lee (nee Louise Hovick).

For those interested in seeing these family effects through the generations, I suggest reading "Stripping Gypsy" first, followed by Erik's book, "My G-string Mother" (aka "Gypsy & Me")--possibly followed by Gypsy's semi-fictional memoir, "Gypsy"--but certainly followed by June Havoc's "Early Havoc" and "More Havoc."

I just finish reading this book that I got from the library. I could not wait for it to be over...in fact toward the end I kept skipping paragraphs and still think I got what Erik, the son was writing about. It would have been more interesting to me if he had spoken more about his mother's life (her stage mother Rose and her sister June Hovac) but I guess that's another book. This was about his life with her and from what I read the life may have been interesting but he wasn't. I love the movie "Gypsy" from the Broadway musical of the same name (Ethel Merman was the first Mama Rose). If you want to read the book get it from the library...that way it won't cost you anything but your time.