Return of the Rogue Readers discussion

Let the discussion begin!

My thoughts:
I don't often read biographies or nonfiction of any variety, but I enjoyed this. I didn't know much about Robin Williams beyond his roles in my childhood favorites like Aladdin, Jumanji, and Hook (which I felt like the author didn't pay adequate respect to in this book). I knew he killed himself, but I had no idea of the illness and difficulties he faced. This book helped make him more human in my mind, less of a mythical figure from the past.

I don't think the book was particularly well or poorly written. It seemed pretty average writing, but the subject matter was engaging. The interview with the author at the end really rubbed me the wrong way though. It made the book transition from an interesting glimpse into the life of someone I'd only seen on the screen, to a self-congratulatory ego-fest for the author. Who puts an interview with themselves in their own book?

I listened to the audio version of this. I had other reading obligations and thought it would be a good way to squeeze it in while doing other things.

I am not a big reader of biographies either. I prefer a memoir. Anyway, I'm so glad I listened to this. Fred Berman was the narrator and he had a good voice for Robin Williams. I wouldn't say it was an impersonation but had the subtle nuances of his speaking patterns.

I enjoyed the subject matter as a whole but found I was most interested in the movies. Which I could go on and on about his movies.

I'm so old I remember when he appeared on Happy Days!! I wasn't really aloud to watch Happy Days, my mom thought it was too racy. Can't imagine what she'd think of shows like Game of Thrones and Veep. Ha!

I was kind of disappointed that a lot of the focus was on negative reviews and Robin's disappointment in not being more successful. Or is that just how the author chose to write it?

I've personally loved so much of his work and was terribly sadden by his death.

Speaking of Aladdin I'm very curious how Will Smith will portray the genie. I know my kids are very skeptical.

Jordan, if the audio version included the interview with author I turned it off before it started and I'm glad I missed it. I agree it made him more human and I can only imagine how exhausting it could be to be him and what expectations people must have had that he felt he needed to live up to.

If you haven't already there are some really good interviews on Youtube. There is one with Charlie Rose I really liked but I can't figure out which one it was now. I fell down the Youtube rabbit whole several times while reading this book.

I listened to the audiobook as well. I believe it was from Audible originally, but I use a different audiobook player. After the usual audiobook end credits the interview began. I was cutting grass when the book finished and I didn't get to my phone right away. Otherwise, I may have turned it off before the interview began.

I agree that the narrator did a good job with the voices. Sound-effect comedy (voices, animal sounds, screaming) really isn't my thing anymore, but I still enjoy much of Robins stuff. Hook was probably my favorite, but I saw that at just the right time to be the prime audience. I was just old enough to be able to process movies rather than just absorb them and the magical aspects really pulled me in. On the opposite end of the emotional spectrum was What Dreams May Come, which is a close second.

Assuming all of the material in this book is true, what did you think of the familial dispute after his death?

I also listened to the audiobook and agree with you both that the narrator did a good job adding a bit of Robin's personality to his storytelling. I also agree with you, Jordan, that the author's 'pat on the back' interview at the end was obnoxious. I didn't understand the point of it and wish I had not wasted time listening to it.

All in all, I enjoyed this book. I, too, rarely read biographies but I am glad that I read this one. I really enjoyed Robin Williams in his movies as a child. I agree that Hook deserved much more attention. It was my favorite movie of his as well. I like having had a glimpse into his personal life. It does, as you both put it, make him more real...more human. Perhaps I should read more biographies in the future.

It was interesting to me that he felt less than the grand persona that he was. I was surprised to learn that he didn't feel like he was a big deal. I am having a hard time putting what I want to say about this into words, so I apologize. It felt like he was constantly trying to prove himself when he was, in fact, doing what he wanted to do. He was bringing joy to people. Millions of people. It makes me a bit sad that he didn't see that as clearly as he could have. I wonder if the drugs had something to do with that or some childhood experience. It is possible that it was a combination of both.

I knew that he had committed suicide, but I didn't know about his illness diagnosis. After he died, people went crazy about his depression and how it ultimately killed him. I found it interesting that they found out that he didn't have Parkinson's after all and that it was Lewy body dementia, which I have never heard of. The fact that it increases the likelihood of depression and can cause delusions and/or hallucinations was interesting to me. It makes me sad for him that he could have really been suffering and/or terrified in his final days and that a correct diagnosis might have, at the very least, made his life a little less confusing and scary. Who knows what he was actually going through. I can only imagine how alone he felt.

The familial dispute after his death was also upsetting. We will never know how it actually went down, but assuming that the author's depiction of it was true, it seemed like a real mess. I felt bad for his children and the fact that they had to fight to get mementos of their father from his latest wife. Even though he had laid out his wishes in a will, she seemed to make it difficult for them. I don't pretend to understand her thought process on it, but it seemed as though she was not in it for the memories. Again, I don't know her true intentions so it is hard for me to comment on it. It is sad, though, that that kind of dispute happens all too often after a loved one passes.

I suppose the book was a bit of a downer for me, not because I didn't enjoy his story, but because it seemed like a mostly sad one for him.

I read the printed version of this book, but hearing the descriptions you have given makes me want to check out the audiobook. I have been a fan of Robin Williams all my life. He had his issues, but he was a Christian and when he was making childrens movies he could be relied on to be wholesome. My family and I would see all of his family-friendly movies together, it was almost tradition for us.

I knew going in that this story would have a sad ending, as we all did I am sure. I was most interested in learning about Robin's formative years; what made him into the monsoon of comedic energy I grew up with? I feel like the book answered that, but only on a general, fly-over basis. I want a more detalailed look at his childhook and early, pre-career life. I'll have to keep an eye out for other biographies that might have this focus.

Gretchen, I agree with your interpretation of Robin's reaction to the negative reviews. Either that was a major part of his character, or the author was trying to paint a picture of an unstable, shallow man. I didn't like that very much.

Jordan, the family dispute at the end is all too common when it comes to the wealthy. I recall hearing about a similar fate for Michael Jackson's estate after his passing. I don't understand the process, but it seems people can contest a will and they win often enough that it is a known phenomenon. I've heard a story of a man, a farmer, who was working in the field with his tractor when the tractor slipped and ended up crushing him. He lived for several hours before his injuries took him. He wasn't found until after he was well beyond medical care, but they discovered that he had used a pocket knife to scrawl something to the effect of "I leave everything to my wife..." in the paint of his tractor. It held up in court and has become a sort of legal precedent. I find the convoluted nature of law very difficult to navigate.

Danielle, I think there were two sides to Robin: the try-hard, always-on entertainer who would do anything for a laugh, and the quiet, introspective, insecure human behind him. I think that is mostly a product of his upbringing. Likely due to trying to win the attention of his parents or caregivers, and it carried over into his life. In the parts Gretchen and I were discussing where the author repeatedly points out Robin's insecurities over bad reviews I think we are seeing the result of a man who found a path to validation and attention and almost became addicted...or did become addicted.

Jordan I think What Dreams May Come is one of my favorites as well. Not only visually stunning but so many layers.

It frustrates me when the children aren't given the top consideration in these situations whether it involves divorce, blending families or death.

Sorry for taking to long I had finals and I was getting behind on the book.

Wow! This was really interesting! I had no idea that Robin Williams was a standup comedian and had never heard of Mork and Mindy. I have seen reruns of Happy Days a few times. The Fonz!

I feel really bad for Robin too. I didn't know he was so sensitive. He seems like someone who is just super happy all the time. I guess that just goes to show you. I did like a lot of his movies though. Mrs. Doubtfire was my favorite but he is probably better known for being the genie.

If Robin was still alive what kind of movies would you guys like to see him in? I wish he could have been in the new Jumunji. It just wasnt the same!

Amy, I really do enjoy his funny movies but also like the more serious ones. Maybe even better.

I would like to have seen him more movies like Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society and The Birdcage.

I hope to get some time soon to watch The Fischer King.