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Robin Williams cover art

Robin Williams

By: Emily Herbert
Narrated by: Marston York
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Summary

With his twinkling eyes, boundless energy and unrivalled natural wit, Robin Williams was the comedian who brought laughter to a generation.

Through roles in cherished films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Aladdin and Hook, he became the genial face of family comedy. His child-like enthusiasm was infectious, sweeping viewers away. Allied to his lightning-quick improvisation and ability to riff lewdly off any cue thrown at him, Robin was that rare thing - a true comic genius who appealed to adults and children equally.

He could also play it straight, and empathetic depth came to him naturally. A poignant performance in Good Will Hunting won him an Academy Award whilst his masterfully chilling turn in psychological thriller Insomnia shocked audiences and hinted at a darker side.

What truly caught the imagination, though, was his good-heartedness. Warmth radiated from him on-screen, but he was legendary for his off-screen acts of selfless generosity. Where most Hollywood A-listers demand outrageous pampering in their contract riders, he always insisted that the production company hire a full quota of homeless people to help make his movies.

But behind the laughter lay a deeply troubled man, and tragedy would follow. At midday, on 11th August 2014, Robin Williams was pronounced dead at his California home. The verdict was suicide. He had battled depression and addiction for many years and was allegedly beset by financial difficulties.

Virginia Blackburn's sensitive and thoughtful biography celebrates his genius and warmth, but also attempts to understand what could have driven such a gentle and gifted man to so tragic an end.

©2018 Emily Herbert (P)2018 W. F. Howes Ltd

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What listeners say about Robin Williams

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Factual inaccuracies, repetitive prose, and the narration was awful. Dull and most unlike the subject of the book itself.

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7 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

optional apparently

was looking forward to this, but it was like listening to someone reading from newspaper clips about robin Williams, also there were some bigger than necessary pauses in the edit, disappointing

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5 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

Overall I was disappointed with the book. I am a big fan of Robin Williams, but there is nothing new or interesting here that most 1-hour documentaries wouldn't cover. The constant quoting of critics is annoying and in my opinion unnecessary unless this was the goal of the book. Also, the naming of all characters in every film, as well as giving their real name, while also giving the plotline of the film, is again unnecessary and take too much time away from the main character in this book, namely "Robin Williams.'

For someone unfamiliar with his work and his life, maybe it gives some good details, but for any real fan, most things covered are well known already

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Poor tribute

Really expected to have a chuckle whilst listening to this, whilst recognising the sad loss and backstory to a star that has been a household name growing up .... so disappointed, written in a monotone way that really doesn’t capture the true essence of the character.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

only a middling book

As an audio book the narrator was not suited to read this book, also his attempt at portraying robins jokes at the end was monotone.

sadly this book was not wrote by robin so the author attempted to summarise Robin's life through his movies & acting. I guess if robin had of been interviewed for the book we might of gotten a more personal view of this comedy genius that he was.

quite depressing portrayal of robin when there was so much more to him on the inside.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

it's got no soul.

Just felt like a lecture. None of his personality came through. Dissapointing. Was a struggle to finish. Waste of a credit.!!

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A star,, A Legend and a Really nice Bloke

Follow this man through space and time and he will plant you into a world of humour, FUN and good times, his life is an inspiration to comedians and actors alike,
IT also stands as testament to all he has left us AND all that WE HAVE lost, I laughed till I cried and I cried till I laughed ,,,
A strange mix of emotion for a Man I followed in Movies and comedy as well as television programmes I found the story behind his life a lot darker than I had expected with heartache and passion in a mix that made me MORE aware of all that he is, NO IT did not allow me to understand this genius and the way he worked but I do have more knowledge about how HE HAPPENED,
IN my opinion we lost one of the BEST and the world is a sadder place because of this,,
I do and always will love EVERY moment of this mans back catalogue but I know that what he left ME is more that I deserve,,

Brilliant

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Not a great biography.

Poorly written.. quite repetitive in places. Didn’t feel it was well researched. A phenomenal man /actor but this biography fell flat.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Great listen

Robin Williams was a comic Genius he was also a incredible damaged man who suffered intensely
This book doesn’t hold back from the truth
It’s a well written look at the life and death of Robin
Heart breaking in places yet sensitive to a man who will always be greatly missed

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1 person found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Awful

one of the funniest actors I have ever come across, but whoever was reading this sounded so bored and dull I just couldn't finish listening ,- such a shame

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