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I Was Better Last Night
I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir | Harvey Fierstein
12 posts | 8 read | 1 to read
A poignant and hilarious memoir from the cultural icon, gay rights activist, and four-time Tony Awardwinning actor and playwright, revealing never-before-told stories of his personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, and of his fabled career Harvey Fiersteins legendary career has transported him from community theater in Brooklyn, to the lights of Broadway, to the absurd excesses of Hollywood and back. Hes 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 talesof personal struggles and conflict, of sex and romance, of his fabled careerrevealed 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. Fiersteins 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 familys 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.
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Suet624
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Having to put ice on my eyes for 20 minutes, off for 20 minutes, for several days helped me get through this. Otherwise I‘m not so sure I would have made it through. If you love theatre I believe this would interest you. I always think of Harvey as having a sarcastic wit but none of this really came through. He has been busy all of his life, writing, producing, and acting and he has a lot to say about that. He‘s had an impressive career.

BarbaraBB Your surgery does sound pretty serious. Glad you are able to read! 1y
Suet624 @BarbaraBB Thank you. 😍 The worst is over. On to warm compresses! 1y
BarbaraBB That is definitely better! Take care 💚 1y
47 likes3 comments
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Suet624
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Listening to Harvey as I clean an Airbnb and the snow falls. This book is 12 hours long and I‘m not sure I‘ll get through it all before Libby grabs it back. I went into labor with my twins as I watched Torch Song Trilogy so Harvey has always has had a special place in my heart. 🤪😂

squirrelbrain It looks lovely out there! ❄️ 1y
Suet624 @squirrelbrain It is! I always love the first few months of snow. I love how it looks, how it makes everything so quiet. By April I am so over it. :) 1y
Ncostell I am reading this book right now-I saw him speak on his book tour and he was fabulous of course! I bet this would be great on audio. 1y
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DivineDiana So pretty! ❄️ 1y
Megabooks Pretty snow! 1y
Lindy I listened to the audiobook too. Really enjoyed it. 1y
Suet624 @Ncostell That's fantastic! I would love to hear him on his book tour. It's really funny when someone gets in my car - sees the title of the book - and then hears this gravelly voice come out of the speakers. They don't know what the heck is going on. 1y
Suet624 @Lindy Sometimes I think he goes too much into the details but overall I'm enjoying it. 1y
Suet624 @DivineDiana @megabooks The snow really is so beautiful. I often find myself staring out of the windows for extended period of time during the winter (when I'm not at work of course) just to look at the beauty. 1y
Suet624 @DivineDiana @megabooks The snow really is so beautiful. I often find myself staring out of the windows for extended period of time during the winter (when I'm not at work of course) just to look at the beauty. 1y
Lindy @Suet624 It made me think more about how theatre is crafted, how stories are told in that medium. 1y
Reggie Stay warm, Sue. 1y
Suet624 @Lindy good point. 1y
Suet624 @Reggie currently under a blanket, sitting smack in front of the little electric heater. 😀 1y
BarbaraBB Snow!!! I‘m glad you‘re warm 1y
nathandrake1997 Hey Sue, I miss you 🥺❤️ 1y
batsy Stay warm and enjoy that gorgeous view 😍 1y
63 likes17 comments
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KathyWheeler
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I went from laughing with Harvey to being shocked by some things to being happy for him to being sad when he talked about the AIDS epidemic (I remember how scary that time was) back to being happy for him as his career took off. I enjoyed listening to him read this, and he ended it in just the right place. I walked early in the morning today — it was so much better than attempting to walk in the afternoon! #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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Fierstein mentions that he, his mother, and his brother all pronounce their last name different. He pronounces it like his father does. I feel a little less weird now; my dad taught us to say our name one way, but he taught my half siblings to say it differently. It was hot out there today! #audiowalk

Suet624 I really really like Harvey. 2y
24 likes2 comments
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KathyWheeler
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While I‘m enjoying this book, it‘s dragging just a little at this point. Maybe it‘s because I‘m just not that interested in Fierstein‘s attendance at awards shows. I‘m glad for him; I‘m just not that interested in the details. Still didn‘t get to swim today because of thunder. I‘m going to have to find a way to swim earlier in the day; the thunder is always in the evening. I did get to walk at least. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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I‘m about halfway through this book. I think listening to it was a good decision. Fierstein narrates his own book, and his raspy voice and dramatic delivery add to his story. #audiowalk

23 likes1 stack add
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Lindy
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My latest booktube video is all about LGBTQ books: Friday Reads (on Tuesday June 14): #PrideMonth2022 #QueerLitRead +
Road trip + natural dyes
https://youtu.be/ImX-AFgaznA

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KathyWheeler
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I went for a short walk with plans to swim afterwards. The swimming plans got derailed when I thought I heard thunder. I got to the rec center but checked Twitter before I got out of the car. Sure enough, the pool is closed because of the weather. 😞. At least I got a walk in. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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@Lindy posted about this book. It sounded interesting, and I had just yesterday finished my walking book. So I checked it out and made it my new walking book. I was shocked in one place that I‘ll put in the comments under Spoiler. So far I‘m liking it. I walked later in the evening, so it was much cooler. #audiowalk

KathyWheeler What shocked me: when his family found out Jews were being taken to concentration camps during WWII, they sent a family member to find other family & bring them to the US. The guy came back with no one. When asked why, he said he only found women. So I guess it was ok to leave them there to die since they wouldn‘t carry on the family name!😡 2y
Lindy @KathyWheeler Yes, that jolted me also. 🤯 2y
19 likes2 comments
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Lindy
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“There‘s no such thing as having lived too much.” You said it, Harvey. I loved listening to your distinctive gravelly voice as you reminisced about your life‘s sorrows and accomplishments. #LGBTQ #audiobook

Centique Oh I have loved his acting so much! I‘ll have to look for this 😍 2y
Lindy @Centique Many passages had me thinking about live theatre from a different perspective. I see a lot of performances and sometimes when they fall short I haven‘t been able to articulate why. Now I have a better idea about the alchemy at work. 2y
Centique @Lindy that sounds very useful. I have this reserved at the library now so I will get to it in a few weeks. 2y
Lindy @Centique Looking forward to your thoughts. 😊 2y
36 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Lindy
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We humans are no more mysterious to cardiologists than toilets are to plumbers. The cardiologist said that the valve replacement was routine and I believed him. He gave me a choice between pig, cow, and manufactured. How serious could this be if it involved shopping?

36 likes2 stack adds
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Rhondareads
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Love Harvey Fierstein born in Brooklyn my hometown ,Big personally big talent gay rights advocate emotional hilarious this should‘ve a really wild read.