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I Was Better Last Night

A Memoir

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I Was Better Last Night

By: Harvey Fierstein
Narrated by: Harvey Fierstein
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About this listen

 NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Award–winning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career

Harvey Fierstein’s legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. He’s received accolades and awards for acting in and/or writing an incredible string of hit plays, films, and TV shows: Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Mrs. Doubtfire, Independence Day, Cheers, La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy, Newsies, and Kinky Boots. While he has never shied away from the spotlight, Mr. Fierstein says that even those closest to him have never heard most of the tales—of personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled career—revealed in these wildly entertaining pages.

I Was Better Last Night bares the inner life of this eccentric nonconforming child from his roots in 1952 Brooklyn, to the experimental worlds of Andy Warhol and the Theatre of the Ridiculous, to the gay rights movements of the seventies and the tumultuous AIDS crisis of the eighties, through decades of addiction, despair, and ultimate triumph.

Mr. Fierstein’s candid recollections provide a rich window into downtown New York City life, gay culture, and the evolution of theater (of which he has been a defining figure), as well as a moving account of his family’s journey of acceptance. I Was Better Last Night is filled with wisdom gained, mistakes made, and stories that come together to describe an astonishingly colorful and meaningful life. Lucky for us all, his unique and recognizable voice is as engaging, outrageously funny, and vulnerable on the page. Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Entertainment & Performing Arts Funny Inspiring Witty
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I've been sending this to all my friends saying: read it, listen to it, gift it.

A huge big hearted book

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Like a lot of us, I knew who Harvey was, but this is a fascinating life story. You will enjoy very much.

Loved it!

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Enjoyed this reflection on a life well lived. Expertly crafted with pathos, humour and the realities of additiction

Entertaining

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This is a stupendously good autobiography. I didn't know much about HF except his name and that of Torch Song Trilogy, which I knew was a seminal gay theatrical production from the pre-AIDS era. Then I heard him on Marc Maron's podcast, was thoroughly charmed and knew this would be a great listen. And it was! I loved all the stories of Harvey's growing up, of his blossoming as a writer and performer and of his storied career. There are very sad stories in this book, along with quite triumphant parts and some salacious bits that will make your eyes (ears?) pop. Harvey is a born storyteller with a personality that is clearly magnetic. If you are a young gay person who needs a role model, if you love theatre, if you grew up Jewish in NYC or kind of wish you had, if you love gossipy showbiz books or if you just love great stories well told, you need to get this audiobook ASAP. Very highly recommended.

Fabulous!

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Thoroughly enjoyed getting to peek behind the curtain. A very interesting life indeed and a story well told.

What a life ❤️

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