Mercury and Me @ Pb [Paperback]

Jim Hutton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 7, 1995

The relationship between Freddie Mercury and Jim Hutton evolved over several months in 1984 and 1985. Even when they first slept together Button had no idea who Mercury was, and when the star told him his name it meant nothing to him. Hutton worked as a barber at the Savoy Hotel and retained his job and his lodgings in Sutton, Surrey, for two years after moving in with Mercury, and then worked as his gardener. He was never fully assimilated into Mercury's jet-setting lifestyle, nor did he want to be, but from 1985 until Mercury's death in 1991 he was closer to him than anyone and knew all Mercury's closest friends: the other members of Queen, Elton John, David Bowie, Phil Collins to name a few. Ever present at the countless Sunday lunch gatherings and opulent parties, Hutton has a wealth of anecdotes about as well as a deep understanding of, Mercury's life. He also nursed Mercury through his terminal illness, often held him throughout the night in his final weeks, and was with him as he died. No one can tell the story of the last few years of Mercury's private life - the ecstasies and the agonies - more accurately or honestly than Jim Hutton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Bloomsbury (July 7, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0747521344
• ISBN-13: 978-0747521341
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,220,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars People call it "cheesy", but it should be BACK IN PRINT, March 25, 2000

By 

"zara_azari" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mercury and Me @ Pb (Paperback)

After I have read this book, I was angry with people, who either dismissed this book as Jim Huttons's weepy-cheesy attempt to make a quick buck from FM's death, or who ran Hutton down for "breaking confidentiality", by telling the TRUTH in this book. Both of those groups of poeple are COMPELETELY WRONG. Firstly, I, too, found this book a bit weepy in style, but later I realized that it was through no fault of Hutton's, but rather book's editor (Tim Wapshott, if my memory serves my right, who has a general tendency towards "over-dramatizing" things). Publishers, no doubt, also wanted a weepier version, so that people would be willing to buy a book from an unknown man. As for Hutton's atttempt to make money, let me remind you that while FM was alive nobody (public and fans) ever knew, who FM's "husband" was, much less his name...Hutton did not flash in front of the cameras (unlike some lovers of today's celebrities). So, it is unfair to say that Hutton tried to profit with this book. Instead, this book should be seen as his attempt to channel his grief towadrs something positive and to express his own feeings. I, personally, thank him for this book. Obviously, being an honest person, he did not idealize FM in his memories and THAT IS WHAT I LIKED BEST! . Let's also not forget that Hutton himself is affected with HIV, so it is good that we have this book to read, before it is too late. Secondly, people, who were offended by this book's intimate details, well... SORRY, but this is who FM was... not some angel, but a real person with his ups and downs, 100% gay man, who lived with another man, died from a painful decease, and had other things to think about (his past, his relation to God, his family, his loved ones) than his fans or press, while he was sick. I was especially touched by the last part of the book, where Hutton says something like.... "/for lovers/ not to waste time on stupid arguments and misunderstandings, because the day will come and it is gonna be too late...instead, just listen to your hearts, etc." I think it is a beautiful message, and that we could all learn something from Hutton/FM example.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freddie was the Greatest Performer the world has seen, September 11, 2003

By 

P. Jacobs "Tbob" (CA in the U S A) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mercury and Me (Paperback)

I couldn't put this book down. It is revealing. It does share intimate details. It does show the faces of Freddie. It does chronicle his deteriorating condition due to AIDS. It does show the not too flattering behavior of Freddie's inner-circle after his death. Would Freddie have wanted seven years of his life spilled out to the public in printed words? Probably not. Yet, I believe he would have understood Mr. Hutton's need to share this most important and wonderful part of his life with the world. I, for one, appreciate the work he put into this book, including the beautiful candid pictures of Freddie. It must have taken great effort to recall some of the more trying times. It is obvious from reading Mr. Hutton's account of Mary's behavior why this book was criticized by some for its revelations. However, he was very flattering towards her character preceding Freddie's death. Therefore, I believe if his account was false or based on anger towards Freddie's Will, he would have painted a different picture of her throughout the entire book. A super book for those who want to know what Freddie was like and how his illness affected him and those close to him. It was written in a very warm, affectionate, and honest manner.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the truth is here, October 25, 2000

By 

jim payne (Scotland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mercury and Me @ Pb (Paperback)

having read this title numerous times i can confirm this to be the most compelling book written on the late mercury.the author Jim Hutton mercurys lover and best friend accounts for their life together.Hutton a wise and sincere man can hold his head high for this superb title.From their first meeting in a gay bar to mercurys untimely death and the aftermath of loosing his lover and being ousted from the inner circle hutton has given his account before the hacks gave theirs.Although now out of print if you should come across this title buy..buy..buy.A momentous title you wont put down and will become a treasure to own.Well done Jim hutton on this title Mercury and me.you have touched so many with your account of your lover and best friend..kind regards Jim Payne.