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| Life with My Sister Madonna | 
 enlarge | Authors: Christopher Ciccone, Wendy Leigh
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Category: Book
List Price: £17.99
Buy New: £6.99
You Save: £11.00 (61%)
New (32) from £5.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 1416
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.3
ISBN: 1847374387
EAN: 9781847374387
ASIN: 1847374387
Publication Date: July 14, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 Some startling revelations August 23, 2008
16 out of 20 found this review helpful
From the innocence of childhood to the tawdry world of celebrity and stardom, Ciccone leaves no stone unturned in what has been recently hyped by the media as an "astoundingly frank" account of his relationship with his celebrity sister. However, readers must be warned that the author is far from a particularly likeable character. It is really rather sad to witness quite such an overwhelming air of bitterness coupled with such transparent attempts at self-glorification- a recurring tendency that goes so far as to pervade accounts of their childhood. While I was intrigued to learn of the extent of the two siblings' rivalry, personally I found the boastful chapter on his (self-proclaimed) genius for "Monopoly" to be most objectionable. To be perfectly honest, if he really did beat his sister twenty times in succession during the summer of 1972, that does not impress me in the least. Still, there are many insights to be gathered within. Apparently the young Ms. Ciccone was an exceedingly dilligent high-school student, who excelled in each and every subject (in fact, today she is a member of mensa, with an IQ of 178- equal to that of Steven Hawking!). However, her strongest interests of all were initially reserved for the subject of fashion and textiles, which she had dreamed of studying at college- before her love for ballet gradually began to take over. Although she was ultimately to depart for Michigan in order to study as a dancer, this passion never left her (and was later evidenced by the song "Material Girl").
All in all, this is a book that contains many interesting snippets of information, although one sometimes has to question how credible the source really is, despite the first-hand nature of his account. It is also necessary to comment on his style of prose. While I am certainly no homophobe, quite such a 'fabulous' approach to writing can become somewhat grating after a few pages. Indeed, it's fair to say that Ciccone is a camp as a row of pink tents (or perhaps "as gay as a nine-bob note"- as my father would likely have put it). Anyway, if you're interested in the Queen of Pop's dirty laundry, this is the only place worth looking (eBay used to be good, but nothing has surfaced for auction since her maid was dismissed in disgrace). However, for true fans of Maradona (myself included) not even the worst of these accusations could do anything to eradicate rose-tinted impressions from waking memory. I can safely say that nothing will ever change the manner in which I would wish to picture the singer (ie. in the process of performing anilingus on a naked man, as seen on page 42 of her controversial coffee-table book "Sex").
Enjoyable August 9, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book by Madonna's brother isn't as you might fear (or hope) a character assassination of his sister. It's not a bitter expose either. I wouldn't be surprised if Madonna actually authorised this just to chuck some work Christopher's way.
The most enjoyable parts of it for me are in the details of how Madonna's career took off and how the dynamics of their brother/sister relationship were affected.
Chris Ciccone comes across as a pretty okay guy who hasn't blamed everything that didn't go his way on his sister. There's not much new to learn about Madonna but this is at least a book written by someone who really knows her. And it's an easy read.
 brilliant holiday read August 4, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
Fantastic biography by Madonna's brother Chris. Although he professes his deep sincere love for his sister this is a clear case of making much needed cash for the author which will include all his fees from interviews and magazine deals he has made since the book came out.
I imagine Madonna feels totally betrayed by her brother who enjoyed a very privileged life whilst living and touring with her in her up and coming years. He was reliant on Madonna for all his finances and I imagine she was sick of him being a leech.
Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, full of juicy gossip about Madonna and to be fair because Madonna is so private this is the first true look into how she has lived her life to date which is worth the read alone.
It is very clear that Chris is bitter towards his sister and has a big chip on his shoulder because he thinks Guy Richie does not like GAY men.
(chris is gay!)
There is nothing to hurt Madonna in this book, so what if she is selfish and spoilt! Personally I imagine Chris could have said a LOT MORE!!
FANTASTIC READ - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Madonna - One Of The Biggest Earners/Egos In The Past 25 Years! August 3, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
An interesting alternative view on Madonna's life from her brother Christopher. I thought it would be a biography on Madoona written by him but it's really HIS Autobiography but remembers to add in any snippett he can of when his life was involved with his sister. He also likes to mention any other famous person he crosses paths with. I was a bit dissapointed with the poor selection of photos in it, there are more of him with his friends rather than of Madonna, which I would've preferred to see. It's still a good read!
I feel for him, as the impression I get is he's been used by her like she's done with so many other people in her life. Saying that, he's aware of it, nurses his wounds and comes back to her for more time and time again, not being able to resist living under her spotlight. He seems a bit scared of her at times, also seems to treat her like a surrogate mother - at her beck and call like a puppy dog and she seems to act like a mother to him, not necessarily in a kind loving way more the telling off and bossy way!
I enjoy reading about Madonna, I find her fascinating but it must be said by the time I'd finished this book I'd had my fill of her! She has a HUGE ego, seems quite immature, spoilt and an emotional cripple - I wish she wasn't, I wanted to read this and like her but yet another book I've read about her and again this is the impression I get. How can she really follow Kabbalah and still act like she is the centre of the universe like a spoilt diva!
This book is easy to read and I enjoyed it. I expect Christopher's earned some well deserved money out of his sister this time!
 sad,sad,sad July 31, 2008
0 out of 8 found this review helpful
I havn't even read this book but the exerts in the newspapers have been enough to turn me off. Chris is just airing his dirty linen in public ! Petty gripes and basic jealousy have fueled this book. The only one who comes out looking bad is him.
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