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Life with My Sister Madonna (Abridged) Audiobook
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(2.02) - 1,375 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Madonna up close, by the brother who knows her better than anyone.
Christopher Ciccone's extraordinary memoir is based on his forty-seven years of growing up with, working with, and understanding the most famous woman of our time, who has intrigued, scandalized, and entertained millions for half a century.
Through most of the iconic star's kaleidoscopic career, Christopher played an important role in her life: as her backup dancer, her personal assistant, her dresser, her decorator, her art director, her tour director.
If you think you know everything there is to know about Madonna, you are wrong. Only Christopher can tell the full scale, riveting untold story behind Madonna's carefully constructed mythology, and the real woman behind the glittering façade.
From their shared Michigan childhood, which Madonna transcended, then whisked Christopher to Manhattan with her in the early eighties, where he slept on her roach-infested floor and danced with her in clubs all over town -- Christopher was with her every step of the way, experiencing her first hand in all her incarnations. The spoiled daddy's girl, the punk drummer, the raunchy Boy Toy, Material Girl, Mrs. Sean Penn, Warren Beatty's glamorous Hollywood paramour, loving mother, Mrs. Guy Ritchie, English grande dame -- Christopher witnessed and understood all of them, as his own life was inexorably entwined with that of his chameleon sister.
He tangled with a cast of characters from artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, to Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss, Demi Moore, and, of course, Guy Ritchie, whose advent in Madonna's life splintered the loving relationship Christopher once had with her.
The mirror image of his legendary sister, with his acid Ciccone tongue, Christopher pulls no punches as he tells his astonishing story.
Life with My Sister Madonna is the juicy, can't-put-it-down story you've always wanted to hear, as told by Madonna's younger brother.
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"Christopher Ciccone is Madonna's most famous family member as he was in and out of the singer's life throughout her career. I remember when Madonna out-ed her brother, announcing to the world that he was gay. He was upset with this. However, her reaction was that it was no big deal. Christopher does not paint a pretty picture of his sister. Many of his observations are no secret. The public already knows: She tries to be shocking. She can be rude, a perfectionist, selfish, and a user. But he does also reminds us how hard she works at her career. Many times, Christopher sounds angry and resentful of his sister. He felt she did not treat him fairly. Often he felt she was being cheap with him and not valuing his worth when he helped her out in designing her homes, and helping her on our tours. Often he felt like her shadow, as when people would see him, they would not ask how he was doing, but ask about his famous sister. Nonetheless, often in his book, he reminds us how much he loves his sister despite her many flaws. Interestingly, he shows how trust is something they both strive to achieve from each other and from others in their lives. I highly recommend this book to Madonna fans. I do not feel that he betrays her; he helps us try to get to know her better."
— Marsha (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This is the best book ever written about Madonna.”
— Sunday Times (London)
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Life with My Sister Madonna Listener Reviews
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" I could stop listening, You definitely gain respect for the business woman Madonna is but also how she has become obnoxiously controlling. He gave information on other stars that was kind of funny!! I recommend this book. "
— Jules, 8/11/2017 -
" Yes, I read this trash... And I liked it. "
— Stephen, 2/18/2014 -
" Because of Christopher's proximity to Madonna for so many years of her professional life, I think that I honestly expected more insight into her character. Instead, I think that what I suspected about her was reinforced: she is selfish and self-centered and can lack sensitivity to those around her. So basically, she sounds as though she is an exagerrated version of most of us. At any rate, it was a decent read. "
— Cate, 2/9/2014 -
" Interesting take on my favorite entertainer. Shows her as controlling, and basically in a bad light. Sour grapes is the feeling I get. "
— BOBBI, 2/5/2014 -
" Interesting book written from Madonna's brothers point of view. Not surprising but also very candid. I enjoyed it. "
— Tanya, 2/4/2014 -
" I do enjoy hearing about the secret lives of the rich and famous, but is this guy really a drug addict? Hmm. "
— Heather, 2/1/2014 -
" I'm not at all impressed. This was a HUGE waste of time to. Madonna's brother is so angry that she went further than him in life and he doesn't even have the you-know-whats to come out and admit it. He has to throw little digs in here and there while pretending to sing her praises. What a joke. Does anyone really care if her brother (who I'd never heard of before this book by the way) thinks she slept with two DJs in New York to get her record played? And, let's be frank, what if she did? Last I checked, she's her own person. Her brother needs to get over it. The writing is mediocre at best and I don't know who this Wendy Leigh but if I were her I'd be ashamed to have my name anywhere near this piece of garbage. I really wish I'd taken the reviews on this one to heart and saved myself the time. Thankfully, I didn't spend any money on it. "
— Eva, 1/28/2014 -
" This book was ok. I thought I would get more insight into Madonna but her brother really wasn't a confidant of hers. He was more like an assistant and really only saw her peripherally. Interesting read nevertheless, although she was very cruel to him, both emotionally and monetarily. He still loves her unfailingly though - most likely because his career depends on hers to some degree. "
— Elaine, 1/26/2014 -
" Oh, when you're forty something and spent your teens and young adulthood listening to Madonna, there's some appeal. Madonna the phenomenon, Madonna the businesswoman, Madonna the diva. Lots of gossip here, told by her estranged brother. It was like a trip back in time. "
— Karen, 1/18/2014 -
" It was pretty good but I may detect a bit of jealousy by her brother Christopher who wrote the book.... "
— Kim, 1/18/2014 -
" Not well written at all, lots of grammer and spelling mistakes and the story seems repetitive...but for some reason I keep reading...perhaps it the star struck in me or the enquiring mind. I love Madonnas music...but she is not a very nice person. "
— Liz, 12/27/2013 -
" I like Madonna, and the book says it all as long as am concerned...she is what am picturing her to be...this is one of the bio book that i'd believe 85% accurate at least...if not, we would be hearing about madonna suing her brother by now, won't we?! ;) "
— Feblub, 12/12/2013 -
" Amazing book. Lots of great stories about his and Madonna's life and as much as I love Madonna, she's a royal bitch!! Mr. Ciccone did a great job on this book, I kept wanting to read more and more!! "
— Caitlin, 12/11/2013 -
" Was an OK read, very predictable a brother living off his famous sister!! "
— Niki, 12/10/2013 -
" Lots of dirty laundy aired, kinda sad. "
— Dawn, 9/18/2013 -
" I found this book on sale at B&N. I enjoyed this book. It was easy to read. Great beach book!! "
— Da277, 7/19/2013 -
" I attended the Madonna concert in November, so had Madonna on the brain. It was an interesting read. "
— Rachael, 1/4/2013 -
" I really enjoyed this book. It was quite eye opening. "
— Jeanettedianne, 7/10/2012 -
" Watered down account, I'm sure! "
— Jan, 6/27/2012 -
" I'm not much of a biography reader, but Madonna's brother's take on her life is definitely worth reading and kept me interested. "
— Courtney, 7/26/2011 -
" This book is exactly what you might think it is, a brother being jealous of his incrediably successful and famous sister. But along the way he spills some juicy tidbits about other celebrities. Just a hint...Lauren Hutton and Demi Moore get thrown under the bus. "
— Barrie, 6/26/2011 -
" stop whining and get a life "
— casf, 5/31/2011 -
" Pretty good but expected more juicy gossip and more details from it than what he shared. "
— Amy, 4/5/2011 -
" As a Madonna fan, I thought it was pretty dishy. I enjoyed the parts about Christopher's life even though it was primarily focused on the most famous pop star of my lifetime. If you like biographies and Madge, I recommend this book. "
— Garci, 3/19/2011 -
" I learned a lit about Madonna, but could have done without her brother's cynical attitude towards her. "
— Jen, 2/4/2011 -
" I liked this book. I wasn't that surprised by the things Christopher said about Madonna. I feel sorry for Christopher standing in the shadow of his sister most of his life. Madonna's sycophantic fans need to cut Chris some slack. "
— Cedarlakeinn, 1/22/2011 -
" I do enjoy hearing about the secret lives of the rich and famous, but is this guy really a drug addict? Hmm. "
— Heather, 11/25/2010 -
" I thought it was interesting to see the inner relationship between brother and sister. "
— Quintin, 11/8/2010 -
" Sounds like a jealous sibling to me. "
— Neva, 11/8/2010 -
" Didn't finish this book. Lots of sour grapes. "
— Nancy, 10/18/2010
About Christopher Ciccone
Christopher Ciccone is an artist, director, dancer, author, and designer. He is the younger brother of Madonna, and began his career working closely with Madonna in a variety of roles. His first public appearance was alongside his sister in her debut music video Everybody. In 2008, he released his New York Times bestselling memoir, Life with My Sister Madonna.