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)