Mercury and Me Paperback – 7 July 1995

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5I can't count the amount of car journeys I had growing up when my father was playing Queen. My father is a massive Queen fan and admirer of Freddie Mercury (he even sprouts a Freddie Mercury style moustache). Sadly, I am the only other Queen fan obsessive in the Walker household and so when I saw Jim Hutton's autobiography I leapt at the chance to read it and it was a highly enjoyable read. Jim Hutton, who sadly passed away, was Freddie Mercury's self-professed 'husband'. The story starts with a Hutton newly single meeting (and being pursued by) Freddie and his relationship with Freddie until Freddie's death.One of the main things I enjoyed was the fact it is very readable. The danger with autobiographies is that they can either contain too much (pointless) information and read like a textbook or they can be monotonous with "I did this.. Then I did this... Then I..." Hutton's work strikes a great balance between the two. Although a 'professional'* writer has helped, it feels very authentic as Hutton's story and I don't think it detracts in anyway from the book. My only criticism is that some parts read like a shopping list with "he bought... this which was really expensive and... and he bought so and so... " but I think that is just personal preference. *(does anyone know what they are doing?)For those curious, I'll let you know what it covers. This autobiography gives more insight into Freddie, his personality and his antics than it does the band. There are very few behind the scenes glances into 'Queen', mainly because Hutton didn't spend a great deal of time with the band when it was being Queen. This probably isn't the best read if you just want all the inside details on Queen. I was surprised to learn that Freddie was not closer with the other bandmates but, I suppose, after spending so much time in the studios and on tour together a little time apart is refreshing. Having said that about the band, Hutton does cover Freddie's relationship with Monserrat Cabelle or Montsy as she was known by Freddie. I was hoping that it would address the factoid that Freddie refused to continue working with Michael Jackson because Jackson insisted on bringing animals into the studio but all Hutton suggests was that Freddie found MJ difficult to work with. (Perhaps someone can confirm or discredit this?)I found reading about Freddie's final months and days very difficult to read. I am glad I stayed up through the night reading (and crying) until the last page because I doubt I could have found the strength to face reading the rest of the book. It is not a case of 'oh he died' peacefully and unexpectedly one day in his sleep. Hutton is very honest that Freddie's descent was protracted, painful and unglamorous.On the other hand, this autobiography has many laugh out loud moments. There are a lot of anecdotes too which I now share with my parents that they seem to enjoy, more than my others anyway. Two of my favourites ones are that Freddie's pin up was Burt Reynolds and that Freddie bought Butler and Wilson jewellery; by sheer coincidence I have a few pieces and so now when I wear them I think of Freddie. I have more anecdotes but why spoil the book?I usually read other reviews before I write my own. This mainly is to see if others shared 'my' opinion or if I missed anything and I have to say I was surprised to read about the whole Mary vs Jim controversy over Freddie's will and whether Hutton was 'cashing in'. For those who don't know, Mary Austin was Freddie's fiancé until Freddie confided he was gay. I'm not going to spend long on these controversies because, frankly, I'm not a historian - I don't have access to any additional facts other than my humble Sherlockian skills of abduction. I remember when my own grandmother died from cancer, and although I was ten, I remember relatives saying things they shouldn't have. I think that grief warps our emotions (and in turn our perception and reactions) and I don't think either of them are, or were, overtly reliable. Also, there is a noticeable absence of John Deacon in the post-Freddie "Queen" line up so a few Hutton criticisms could equally be levelled at May and Taylor. It all ends there as far as I'm concerned, no good is going to come of raking up that particular patch of time.Overall, it was a really great book, a real roller-coster ride and is a must read for any obsessive Freddie/Queen fan. If you can buy the book, I would recommend getting a physical copy as the Kindle pictures are obviously in black and white

Having recently watched the celebrated biographical film of Freddie Mercury; Bohemian Rhapsody at the cinema, I had to compare the blockbuster movie perspective with another, and so I chose; Mercury and Me by Jim Hutton. Hutton, being Freddie Mercury's partner during the last few years of his life gives an intimate account of Freddie and his lifestyle. It lacks the glamour of the movie, but does give a more realistic insight into Freddie Mercury.The Freddie of the blockbuster film is flamboyant, charismatic and charming, and of course talented. But that is a Hollywood perspective. Hutton's biography paints a picture of a Freddie who had far too much money, wasted a lot of it on hard drugs, and spent excessive amounts like water, on items he didn't need, nor would ever use. just because he could! Even in his last few months Freddie spent wildly on items, including real estate in Switzerland.He also had real estate in Germany, where he spent a lot of time, avoiding tax obligations to the British government. This is surely a betrayal of the country; Great Britain, which gave Freddie the freedom and opportunities to follow his dreams, whilst giving his family refuge when they fled Zanzibar; their home at the time.Yet, according to this biography, nobody was going to be critical of Freddie as he was surrounded by flunkies and yes men and women. In the end some of these hangers on, attended Freddie's funeral wake at his main home; Garden Lodge in London, opened a bottle of Champaign and roared with laughter.As for Jim Hutton, he seems to have been a very nice, genuine, yet naive man. He omitted to have possessions Freddie said he would leave to Jim in verbal communication, written into a will. Perhaps this is because Jim really was the only person who genuinely loved Freddie Mercury for who he was; not for his superstar status or money.The book is written as if Jim Hutton is talking, so it is not as structured as it might have been, if written by a professional. Yet, the style makes it more intimate and readable.In all a book to compare with the film; Bohemian Rhapsody, but the reader might need to read a few biographies on Freddie Mercury before settling on a broader view of the singer and the man.

Now I only come across this after watching the recent movie “Bohemian Rhapsody”. When I really get into something I delve straight into it. So I come across a site that mentioned this and some who spoke of it had bad feelings towards Jim and called him a piggy backer due to this book.So I decided to read it. My feelings towards this book are so from “piggy backer”. This is a book about a man and his love for his “husband”. The last couple of chapters got me emotional.Jim Hutton is telling you the real life stuff of the love of his life. He’s going into great detail about it. And it’s emotional.Obviously I know none of these people mentioned in the book but it showed some real sides of several. It also pointed out some facts that made much more sense than what was mentioned in the press from the people who were around him.This is a book for those that want to get on a personal level with Jim and Freddie from Jim’s perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would recommend it to any fan who wishes to delve further. (I grew up listening to queens music but I didn’t call myself a fan of any sort, my parents were the people who played their music as I grew up, but now, I’d like to think of myself as a fan, not a die hard fan, but a fan of some wonderful music made by a brilliant band/artist)I never read these sort of books but I will be purchasing a hard copy of this for my book shelf (I brought it digitally originally)There’s one thing you’ll learn from this:No matter your sexual orientation, be proud of you and don’t make others feel bad for their decisions and lifestyle. Everybody lives differently to others but it doesn’t make them any different to others as a human being.Thank you Jim.

Bon livre si on adore le beau Freddie.

I loved reading this, it is very intimate and detailed, I really recommend it to anyone who wants to understand how Freddie Mercury lived and loved intensely! Easy to read, fun, and extremely emotional....

Bienvenue dans la vie de Freddy Mercury, ses hauts et ses bas. Histoire bien écrite, on rit, on pleure avec le narrateur qui n'était autre que son dernier amour.C'est écrit en anglais mais largement compréhensible pour ceux qui ont des bases.

Acquistato come regalo di natale per una mia amica, il libro offre una prespettiva diversa della vita del famoso cantante. Molto commovente ⛹️🥺 lo consiglio, l'unica pecca è che è solo disponibile in lingua originale, peccato!

Conforme descrito. Livro incrível. Demora um pouco a chegar mas vale a espera. Ponto negativo: deviam ter tracking associado (no meu caso não tinha/não funcionou)