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I Was Better Last Night

A Memoir

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 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
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A real celebration of a life well lived. There's not much score settling in this lovely book, OK there's a little but, in the main Harvey's life has been too busy and accomplished to carry grudges, unlike some recent theatrical autobiographies.

It's pleasing to meet a hero and find that he's as generous, kind and loving as you'd hoped. Love this book. Love this man.

A joy to listen to.

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honestly well worth listening to if you are a fan of Harvey or just curious who the man is.

beautifully presented and wonderfully insightful.

I shead a tear a number of times throughout.

love that voice and amazed by the memories shared.

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Sensational. A wonderful review of a very special life. An inspiration. Delicious to listen to and exceptionally well told.

The truth, honesty and authenticity

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Truly a wonderfully enlightening read. Detailed, heartfelt, honest and illuminating- a life well lived and a person who’s artistic contribution to the world continues to grow.

Utterly wonderful.

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I have to confess that prior to listening I knew little about Harvey Fierstein apart from that he was brilliant in Mrs Doubtfire. The tale of his life is wonderful from start to finish and I know I will listen to this again.

Brilliant from start to finish

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