The Music of Silence: A Memoir by Andrea Bocelli Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Music of Silence: A Memoir
Book Review: As Talented a Writer as a Singer
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a beautifully written memoir by Andrea Bocelli, who brings to his writing the same qualities he does to his singing--passion, emotional intensity, and love of life.In recalling the people and places that shaped his life, he is detailed, but also gives his impressions.
A reflective and spiritual man, he is also very active, a man of the world, determined to prove to himself and others that "it was possible for a blind person to do anything he set his mind to. If people judged that something was beyond my capacities, I felt obliged to prove them wrong."
With his usual honesty and insight, he also realizes how much of his identity is based on his extra-ordinary talent: "Day after day, the idea that only my vocal talents could attract the attention and respect of others became more and more rooted in my mind. Singing came for me an identity from which it was impossible to flee."
One can see from these two quotes that his need to prove himself and his strong sense of identifcation with his singing, were the cornerstones on which he built his amazing career.
I was surprised to find that contrary to the somewhat stiff and formal image he sometimes conveys, he is actually an extrovert, tempestuous, and even led a rather desultory exitence during certain periods of his life (especailly when he was playing piano in piano bars in and around Pisa). His relationship with Enrica seemed largely based on the fact that he felt she would help keep him on the straight and narrow.
Expressive, poetic, and even philosophical (he comes to the conclusion we all have destinies we are meant to fulfill), this memoir is a fascinating look into the personality and character of a very gifted and courageous man, who writes, as he sings, from the heart.
Book Review: Beautiful Book
Summary: 5 Stars
The autobiography of Andrea Bocelli has everything. His joy as a youngster, ready to experience all, his sense of humor, his courage at the loss of his sight, his loyalty to friends, and his dedication to music. I have read this book four times and have enjoyed it each time.Some of his boyhood pranks will bring a smile. Not all of these pranks ended well. When he holds his first born son for the first time was a very tender moment which brought a tear or two to my eye.
He is just what he seems to be, a humble man with a deep faith in God, and a great love for his family and friends. He has a remarkable talents in his voice as well as his writing. Hopefully, there will be more writing.
Book Review: Inspiration for all
Summary: 5 Stars
How do I feel about this book? Charmed, inspired, surprised, humble, grateful. Mr. Bocelli's writing style is truly charming - so candid (about a lot but not so candid about himself). I was surprised at his writing skill and so grateful to the wonderful translator; don't overlook his personal notes at the end. When I dried my eyes after the final page, I felt uplifted and humbled by the Andrea's faith and courage. Because I have read other books about Andrea Bocelli, I had some perspective on this "third person" autobiography. When you read it (and you must) recognize the omissions of certain personal details as what they are, his need to protect and honor the marriage relationships he and Enrica cherish. So much of this book tells us about Andrea's religious and moral self - it is not difficult to understand his need to more completely express his beliefs, as he did in the final paragraphs.
You will find this book entertaining, amusing in spots, informative and truly worth your time. Andrea Bocelli not only gives his glorious voice to our sighted world, he brings the reader of his book into that other world of the blind where we find a man who lives by faith and courage most of us will never know. Please read this lovely book - you will be better for it.
Book Review: A wonderful engaging autobiography
Summary: 5 Stars
A wonderful engaging autobiography, I could not put it down. This is a truly gifted man, one who is able to show us his thinking and emotions though his beautiful singing and now in his writing. He reveals to us (the reader) his mental processes of how a young blind boy became a man. His fears, hopes and aspiration are all hear. His love of family and friends (Typically Italian) are touching. His Love for his Homeland (Tuscany). His Blindness, His Love of Music, His Education, His Friendships, His Search for a wife and his experience of having a child and his career and how it all started are all hear. Wonderfully written and beautifully translated. A Must reader the Bocelli fan.Book Review: A Gladsome, Modest Memoir!
Summary: 4 Stars
This is the memoir music-lovers have waited for. This liquid golden-voiced Italian tenor from Tuscany, tells of his blindness & how music soothed him; of his struggles as a boy to live a normal life; his studies to become a lawyer & how he found his world-class voice.Andrea Bocelli is a refreshingly simple, humble fellow imbued with love, humor & a sense of the Grand Adventure.
Andrea Bocelli wrote this memoir himself on a special Braille computer, without a ghostwriter & Stanislav Pugliese translated it into English.
This is the angel who sang for Mayor Juiliani during a Memorial for those who perished in the September 11 attacks & I only wish there had been a CD of his favorite songs attached to this memoir.