Customer Reviews

Shattered Love: A Memoir

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Richard Chamberlain tells in this book of his poignant struggles of growing up in an alcoholic home, dealing with fame (and when it deals with him), as well as his spiritual search to live an authentic and truthful life.

Many, I imagine will pick up this book with an eye for sensationalism and gossip over the revelation of his sexual preference. Yet they will be sorely disappointed that there is neither sensational and illicit tales, nor gossip to titillate. No, what the reader will find here is a book about a very thoughtful and spiritual man, who happened to act for a living, trying to navigate his way toward love and finding his true and openhearted self.

Though, given the sometimes glossed over and fast-forwarded events in his life that take place in the book, one can't help but wonder if there is another book in the offing or if much was edited out of this one. Yet the spiritual and philosophical ponderings were delightful to read and filled the heart. I am glad that Mr. Chamberlain wrote it and allowed himself to be so vulnerable and open.

On a personal note, I applaud Mr. Chamberlain's courage to write the truths revealed in the book but also wish to add that it makes no difference to me one way or another and it shouldn't to anyone who reads this book. He simply is what he is and approval is not required when reading. Acceptance however, is a bridge to understanding.

You could learn a lot about not only Richard Chamberlain in this book, but yourself as well.

Cheers to the years together, Martin and Richard!

When Amazon.com recommended to me Richard Chamberlain's book Shattered Love: A Memoir it didn't attract my attention, first and foremost because I thought it was a book about famous people and fame, stuff that doesn't interest me. But to base my decision on something I read the customers' review. Some of the reviewers got me to believe that it is a book about what the life have to offer, if one wants to create and steers his own life, rather than gossip and stories of famous people; a book about the pain that follows and are all around one who cannot be himself in his daily life. In other words, a book about being a thoughtful human being.

Richard Chamberlain's book is well organized and in more than one way remarkable. Hopefully it will help those who walk in his shoes to benefit from his footprints. Because English is not my mother tongue I neither can nor think it's right of me to criticize the text, but can say that I find comfortable to read the book. Fortunately, it isn't a book about fame, so they who want to hear gossip should read another book. It's a book for those who respect the life and want to get acquainted with the nature and voluntarily open their heart for the unknown.

The book reflects itself in following sentence: "It's interesting that some of us are born with, or acquire along the way, a dark sea of inner doubt and insecurity that keeps us adrift, continually swimming to catch up"... The book's strength is the author's decision to accentuate on humanity. Over the years he have thought a lot of spiritual matters; in what way he can developed his mind and thought; including the love, which is naturally quite the same feeling either people are gay or straight. Finally he has found his way to live the life alive and now he shares his life experience with his readers. I fell in love with his description of the love; how he compares it to grammar; love as a noun and love as a verb. With his own words: "Love, the noun, isn't primarily something you do, it's something you are, a state of being. When you open to this level of love, you radiate love in all directions simply because that's what you are. Personal love is more a verb, an activity, a choice, something you do. Divine love has no object, it just is. Personal love is an emotion directed from you to a particular someone else or something else. Divine love shines freely like the sun on everything. Personal love tends to be selective and highly conditional." There is nothing more to say; it's wonderful description, almost poetical. His nature descriptions show that he appreciates and have an eye for the beauty in the unknown or the not well known. Sometimes I missed detailed descriptions, especially if I didn't recognized the place or circumstances. But as a person who lives in North-Europe I smiled to myself when I saw how extraordinary he thinks the bright summer nights in Finland. These long days (or short nights) are as natural as anything can be for us who live in this part of the world, but they astonish those who live far away, and that always amuses me. As a feminist I noticed especially in what way he talks about women, and can say that he deserves many points for see them as a human being, but not as a pretty things. He also deserves points for see animals as a living creatures with feelings.

It's always a sheer pleasure to read a book by thoughtful human being, but it's sad to read a book by man who the public opinion (or is it the media opinion?) puts in the circumstances to deny part of himself. Being gay and act straight man is as much normal as being straight and act gay man; something that seems to me is fashionable in the United States nowadays. Please, try to understand for once and for all that to divide people into gay and straight and make as if that tells us anything is absurd! And by the way, it's ridiculous and in contravention of common sense to talk about "to admit" homosexuality. Homosexuality is not a crime. Gay people should never have been put in the situations to explain (or spell out) their sexuality rather than straight people. Homosexuality and heterosexuality are both part of the nature's spectrum, whether or not people face up to it or close their eyes before it. Other thing is that gay people have to live their life in a straight world. Many of them have to pretend they are something else than they are, and without doubt, too many have a phobia against themselves, like Chamberlain once - it happens to famous and unknown, intelligent and unintelligent people. Because of that, it always pleases me when people, gay and straight, respect themselves and the life enough to say: Being gay is non-issue. One sunny day it will be non-issue, hopefully!

At last, because I have recently read the book The Man who was Dorian Gray, and also because Richard Chamberlain once acted in England, I must say, that, in his early years, he would have been fantastic as Dorian Gray in Oscar Wilde's excellent novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Is is enough reasons to congratulate the author with a beautiful book about things that matters to us all most.

I've never been a fan of Richard Chamberlain the actor. I never questioned his talent, but he plied his trade most successfully in "Shogun" and "The Thornbirds," TV mini-series that didn't interest me, and in lame-brained big-screen blockbusters like "The Towering Inferno" which interested me less. Therefore, I was suprised at how much I enjoyed his well-written memoir, "Shattered Love." The dramatic title does not refer, as I initially thought, to a romantic relationship gone wrong, but to Chamberlain's belief that we are all splinters - pieces, rather than products - of a loving God. I'm not sure I accept that theory but Chamberlain is obviously sincere in his philisophical and spiritual beliefs, and they have no doubt helped heal his damaged soul.

Part of that damage resulted from his long repressed homosexuality, but though Chamberlain's "coming out" was used to promote the book, it is but one piece of the whole, just as he regards his sexual orientation as just a piece, and a mundane one at that, of his entire being. This is not a lurid confessional but a heartfelt account of Chamberlain's search for truth and self-acceptance based on the quality and content of his soul rather than the size of his fame and popularity.

Of course, Chamberlain takes time to reflect on his acting career, but avoids back-biting and gossip, finding only kind words for co-stars like Raquel Welch whom he and the other cast members of 1974's "The Three Musketeers" were predisposed to dislike but found adorable, and Barbara Stanwyck, whose professionalism impressed him when they co-starred in "The Thornbirds." But when he turns his attention to show-biz, Chamberlain mainly focuses on how he learned his craft, and how his inhibitions and insecurity were hurdles he had to jump before he could excel at his art.

"Shattered Love" is an inspiring and worthwhile read, even if, like me, you were never really a fan of the actor who wrote it. By the final chapter, you may be one.

Richard Chamberlain's "Shattered Love" is one of the finest, most tastefully written autobiographies I have ever read. Richard Chamberlain has always been a favorite actor of mine. Watching him on TV in all those swashbuckling films as well as dramas such as "The Thorn Birds," he served as an artistic inspiration to me when I was younger. This book did so much more than tell me about the life of one of my favorite actors, but really made me think about how to deal with life and how to find beauty in people and in all things. What Richard Chamberlain has learned over the years can serve as a great lesson and really open one's eyes. His is a touching story, is interesting from cover to cover, and extremely well written. I highly recommend it to any reader.

I loved this book! It's so refreshing to see someone reveal their secrets in a way that feels profound as opposed to salacious. You really get the feeling the Chamberlain is looking to connect with his readers--and he does. Shattered Love is smart, moving, and impossible to put down.

Richard Chamberlain has always possessed an unusual aura of grace, radiance, and tranquility about him. It is an aura that many fans have been drawn to, and found very appealing. But as Richard candidly reveals in "Shattered Love," this outward persona effectively hid a much deeper sense of personal unworthiness, and persistent unhappiness.

To an outsider looking in, Richard Chamberlain, the immensely popular star of "Dr. Kildare," had little to be unhappy about. He was tall, slim, and extraordinarily handsome, with a legion of female fans who idolized him. He was personable and charming, and enjoyed great respect among his peers for his strong work ethic and unfailing professionalism. He was also extremely talented; he was a gifted actor, singer, painter, writer, and dancer. But boyhood insecurities, fed by his domineering and alcoholic father, and his own growing awareness of his homosexuality, continued to be his nemesis throughout adulthood. As Richard states in his book, he was a product of the conservative forties and fifties, and was as homophobic as anyone. He made a personal pact with himself to never reveal his shameful secret to anyone; it was a pact he would keep for many, many years.

In "Shattered Love," Richard Chamberlain provides us with an intimate and insightful look at the many struggles and successes that have shaped and colored his fascinating life. We read about the sensitive boy with the gentle spirit, and what it was like growing up under the stifling rule of his emotionally abusive, and self-aggrandizing father. We learn how, as a young adult trying to "please the crowd at all costs," Richard perfected the charming "All American Boy" persona that would be synonymous with his name for years to come. And when Hollywood comes knocking, we go along for the joyous ride, as an inexperienced and insecure actor is launched overnight into the intoxicating world of instant fame, celebrity, and financial success.

The author himself is a deeply spiritual and soul-searching man, who has looked to psychologists and spiritual teachers to guide him back from a life lived in fear, to a life transcended by love. Some of the philosophies that have been so helpful to Richard personally, and are presented here in his book, may not resonate or be understood by all of his readers. But even the most complex ideas are never offered with an "I HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS" attitude, or with the mindset of "IT'S MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY." Rather, this genuinely humble and warm-hearted actor simply offers up spiritual ideas to contemplate, that have proven instrumental to his own current state of self-contentment..........a state that he worked so long and tirelessly to achieve.

"Shattered Love" is an inspiring book, beautifully written with a sincere sense of joy, and heartfelt optimism. It is an emotionally honest rendition of the life and shortcomings of Richard Chamberlain--a man who strives to be open-hearted, but freely admits to being "absurdly judgmental" at times. Though normally an intensely private person, Mr. Chamberlain temporarily shelves that reputation with the publication of his book; a book that provides a rare glimpse into the gentle soul of the man behind the public image. What emerges from these pages is a picture of a man of uncommon class and grace........one who possesses an endearing sense of humility and graciousness about him. Though well into the sunset years of his career, Richard Chamberlain still enjoys tremendous personal popularity among fans throughout the world. After spending time reading "Shattered Love," it is easy to understand why he still generates so much genuine affection--his class and appeal are truly timeless.

I have admired Richard Chamberlain since I was 13 and have always kept an eye on his career. I was so excited to learn that he had written an autobiography and expected that it would be well-written and interesting. Of course, once I read the book, I saw it was much more than that. It was enlightening, thoughtful, spirtual, and extremely honest. As a writer myself, I know how difficult the writing process is--and to open yourself up and write the truth is quite a feat. I chuckled when I read the part about Richard's admiration for Noel Coward and his feelings when actually meeting him, because it reminded me so much of myself thinking that "celebrities" are any different than anyone else.

This book was just so wonderful. Richard truly shared his revelations and awakenings that took place over the course of his career. He is still learning and growing and looking at life in such a positive light, even though his childhood and relationship with his father was less than desirable. I think his descriptions of how he was constantly perpetuating the "image" of the "perfect Richard" while secretly falling apart inside is so true for so many people. To read how he overcame this and was able to be successful was totally inspiring.

The book did touch on his homesexuality and his long-term relationship with Martin, but that wasn't the focus, just part of it. The media advertised this book as his "coming out," memoir, but really, that is such an insignificant part of this book and means absolutely nothing. The book is simply an honest memoir written by a man who is experiencing his life journey just like everyone else.

Richard Chamberlain's newly released autobiography, SHATTERED LOVE: A MEMOIR, is a book that belongs in everyone's library. It is an extremely well-written book of his lifelong struggle for personal and private acceptance against a very public, and successful, persona. The book made my laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time! From the stories of his childhood in Beverly Hills "on the wrong side of Wilshire Boulevard" to his days as Dr. Kildare and Father Ralph and beyond, this book does not disappoint.

For those who would think the book is merely a sexual orientation announcement or another self-improvement book, you would be missing the essence of the book and the spirit in which it was written by a man who has found Heaven.

Richard Chamberlain's book reveals a man with the heart and soul of a poet and a writer who is capable at both of his crafts of acting as well as writing. This book was very worth my time, and I can give no higher compliement. I intend to read it several times. I recommend it to anyone who in these troubled times is searching for meaning and peace, as well as anyone interested about what a person in the public eye experiences and/or must endure.

I don't know when I've enjoyed a memoir more. I've long been a fan of Chamberlain as an actor, now I'm a fan of him as a man. Anytime someone shares their life with me, even on the basis of me being a reader, I feel enriched in my own life. I find strength from those who examine and share their truths. Just a wonderful read. I highly recommend.