Mercury and Me (by Jim Hutton)
During the 1980s, I wasn’t a fan of Queen’s music, though I was certainly familiar with their hits, which played constantly on the radio. I instantly became intrigued by the band, especially Freddie Mercury, when I watched the 2018 movie, Bohemian Rhapsody. I think it's an excellent movie, although I'm sure it doesn't precisely portray all the events the band experienced. Below is the movie trailer for your entertainment.
Having seen the movie several times on television, I was excited to learn more when I spotted Mercury and Me during an Audible sale. The intimate memoir is written by Freddie’s longtime partner, Jim Hutton (who is also portrayed in the movie). I enjoy reading biographies and memoirs, and I was eager to learn more about Freddie Mercury from the perspective of his long-time partner.
Mercury and Me is co-written with journalist Tim Wapshott. In it, Hutton shares a personal, behind-the-scenes account of their six-year relationship — from their meeting in a London nightclub in the mid-1980s (where Jim initially didn't recognize Freddie) through their domestic life at Garden Lodge, shared routines, travels, and challenges, including Freddie's private battle with AIDS. Hutton nursed Freddie through his terminal illness and was with him when he died in 1991. The book offers a tender, candid glimpse into Freddie's private world away from the spotlight.
I very much enjoyed this memoir, despite the terribly sad ending. Even though I knew how it would end, it was still difficult to follow the journey of their relationship, especially the final days of Freddie's life. I appreciated learning about Jim and his perspective on their relationship. Not surprisingly, Freddie could be a bit difficult to live with at times, while also being incredibly generous with extravagant gifts and travel. Most importantly, the two developed such a close bond that they viewed their relationship as a marriage, even exchanging wedding rings. I was especially touched by Freddie's love of flowers and Jim's passion for gardening.The ending was truly heartbreaking, and Jim's losses were exponential when Freddie died.
According to this book, there's almost nothing accurate in the movie as it relates to Freddie and Jim's relationship. That surprised me, although I do like how their relationship is portrayed on screen. Jim comes across as more widely accepted and is shown in a more positive light than how he may have actually been perceived within Freddie's inner circle.
While the book was first published in 1994, the audiobook was released in 2019. Patrick Moy's narration provided a respectful tribute to both men.
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