Russell Crowe: A Life in Stories [Paperback]

Gabor H. Wylie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

In this innovative biography of one of Hollywood’s most recently crowned kings, Gabor H. Wylie gives Russell Crowe fans what they’ve been longing for—the stories that make up a lifetime, little anecdotal gems strung together like pearls on a necklace. The star of Gladiator, The Insider, and L.A. Confidential is revealed as never before. From Crowe’s New Zealand roots to his emotional Oscar triumph, Wylie traces his journey to stardom with true stories that have textured his life along the way. Imagine Crowe’s campy portrayal of transvestite Frank N. Furter in an Australian stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Or the moment Crowe revealed to his shocked father that, since the family couldn’t afford to send him to university to study history as he had planned, he intended to make his way as a performer. This is Russell Crowe—the dedicated musician, the acclaimed actor, the fascinating man.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Gabor H. Wylie is a Toronto-based journalist and film historian. After graduating from Queen's University with a degree in journalism and history, she began researching the life and times of Russell Crowe, her favourite movie star. Currently, she is working on a popular study on representations of ancient Rome in Hollywood.

About the Author

Gabor H. Wylie is a Toronto-based journalist and film historian.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: ECW Press (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550224727
• ISBN-13: 978-1550224726
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,531,886 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very innovative biography about a very private star, January 13, 2002

By 

MidoriC (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russell Crowe: A Life in Stories (Paperback)

This was an interesting read for me! I have been a fan of Russell Crowe's for a couple of years now and like most fans, have done extensive reading and research on him, but this is one of the most intriguing concepts in a biographical format.
The author has taken documented facts about Crowe's life from various internet and media sources (many of whom I have also gleaned considerable information from) but presented it in a unique style, as stories with imagined descriptions of the actual events and dialogue between Crowe and the key players in his life. It makes for what I feel is a intimate portrait of the notoriously private star, makes him very real somehow in a way that most newspaper and magazine articles can't. And I feel it captured Russell's intense, vibrant, colorful personality. If you are a fan, you must read this book. It'll paint a fascinatingly interesting portrait of someone that I feel is a fascinatingly interesting person. If you're a new fan, it'll be a fun introduction to Russell and the many aspects of his life and his career.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy or Fallacy Maybe, but No Biography Here, April 15, 2002

By 

"dconrad29" (Baton Rouge) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russell Crowe: A Life in Stories (Paperback)

This book would appeal to a much younger audience. In no way is A Life in Stories biographical in nature. The writer expands or embellishes previously written media reports about Russell Crowe with scenarios concocted in her own imagination. I do not need any help imagining things about Russell Crowe, thank you. I expected truth, but I might as well have gone to Wal-Mart and picked up the latest gossip Rag. This book is for teeny-boppers only!!

12 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Russell Crowe: Man & Myth, January 9, 2002

By 

Phillip Salaver (Tacoma, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Russell Crowe: A Life in Stories (Paperback)

Sometimes fantasy reveals more than reality. And sometimes the best way to get to know an enigmatic superstar like Russel Crowe is to explore the myth as well as the man. Gabor H. Wylie's super book reveals more about Crowe than all the magazine articles and books (well only one other book, which was OK, but not nearly as good as this) I have read. A Life in Stories is well-written and compelling, halfway between a biography and a novel, yet focused on illuminating the real Crowe. The pictures are great (they made my wife melt--to my chagrin) and the format of the book is beautiful. Despite Carla's unfounded criticism, I can truly say that A Life in Stories is the best celebrity biography I've ever read. Crowe is an amazing actor. It's about time sometime did justice to his mysterious power.