Russell Crowe: A Life in Stories (Paperback)

~ Gabor H. Wylie (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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.

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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.com Sales Rank: #1,408,105 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 18 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 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 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!!

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible [book], January 3, 2002

By	Carla James (Irvington, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This is the worst excuse of a book. And I take exception to it being called a book. It only exploits an actor/celebrity with old and sometimes wrong material, plus 90 percent of it is the fantasy scenarios/dialog (and [terrible] ones at that) of the author. I hated it and I wish I could get my money back!