Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott [Paperback]

Gillian Helfgott (Author), Alissa Tanskaya (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

The biography of David Helfott, a gifted young Australian pianist who suffered a severe mental breakdown and was institutionalized. Although brilliant and charismatic, he was insecure and reliant on anti-psychotic medication, but eventually overcame his illness to achieve artistic greatness. This story was written by his wife Gillian, who tells of the powerful bond between them and of sharing her life with a man who came through the darkness of his past.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Australian pianist David Helfgott is fascinating as both artist and psychological subject; here's his story on both counts as told by his wife, Gillian. Now well known from his movie biography, the critically acclaimed Shine, the book gives a fuller account of his life and struggles to return to playing the piano and living a halfway normal life.

From School Library Journal

YA. This poignant story of a great musical talent blurred by mental illness is brilliantly portrayed in the movie Shine. With frank detail, humor, and great understanding, Helfgott offers details that bring deeper insight into the life of her husband, Australian pianist David Helfgott. David's father, an impoverished Jewish immigrant and a frustrated musician, pinned all his hopes on his musically gifted oldest son, who showed "nervous" tendencies at an early age. By 14, David was winning Australian piano competitions, but ultimately he had to break with his father in order to study in London. Three years of study at the Royal College of Music culminated in his triumphant performance of the Rachmaninoff Third Piano Concerto. But the strain was too great and David had a complete mental breakdown. Returning to Australia, he was institutionalized much of the next 12 years; when he met Gillian, he was beginning to play again, in a piano bar. The story of their life together, and David's dramatic improvement and return to performing, are the heart of this book. YAs will find this sympathetic portrait fascinating; those who are familiar with the movie will find this closer look at David Helfgott's life equally rewarding.?Molly Connally, Kings Park Library, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Third Edition edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140266445
• ISBN-13: 978-0140266443
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #547,197 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A musical genius slowly awakes from his mental prison., February 28, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott (Paperback)

I, too (like the first reviewer), was fascinated by the movie "Shine" and was eager to know more because it raised a lot of questions for my mental health-trained curiosity. What was his diagnosis? Could his father truly have brought this on or was it physiological? And how did a woman who was not mentally ill come to love a man who exhibited such bizarre behaviors?
The author answers a few of these questions and is quite frank about her husband's unusual behaviors.
I began to see that the entire story was about an awakening--a man who was in a sort of mental and emotional prison and who began to slowly emerge out of his "fog."
His musical gift dominated his emergence and surely has been coaxed back into life by the love shared between David and Gillian Helfgott.
This is a story that does much to promote tolerance and acceptance of mentally ill persons, and to show us that people don't have to "have it all together" to be loved and loving.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary love story..., September 7, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott (Paperback)

This is a genuine story of triumph over adversity, and the kind of love that makes every day a new beginning. Having enjoyed the film, Shine, was only the half of it...it is the strength and courage of these two extraordinary people that truly shines through in reading the whole story!

I recently had the honor of meeting Gillian and invited her online for a Palace chat. (members.aol.com/palacechat/helfgotts.html) I was even more moved by this extraordinary woman (in person) and sat down to re-read the story.

Living with mental illness is a challenge in the best of circumstances. With this essential foundation of love and courage, coupled with the joy of sharing each new discovery, the Helfgotts set a shining example of what life is really all about.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you loved the movie 'Shine' this book is a MUST read., February 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott (Paperback)

After seeing the movie 'Shine' I wanted to learn more about David and Gillian Helfgott. I couldn't put the book down. Whenever Gillian quotes David in my head I could hear David's voice.

The book tells the chronological, factual account of David and Gillians life together and Gillian is able to shed some light on what David's early childhood was actually like. It also provides a much clearer sense of what drew Gillian to David and how their relationship actually progressed. While reading 'Love You to Bits and Pieces' I was consistently surprised by how much it differed from the movie. However both are fascinating and convey the same story and sense of hope.

In the week since I read the book I've loaned my copy out, bought another copy and recommended it to countless people. I can't begin to say enough about how good it truly is.