I Was Better Last Night: A Memoir

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 1,321 ratings

Price: 17.72

Last update: 07-22-2024


Top reviews from the United States

Meira
5.0 out of 5 stars Deeply moving and wonderfully entertaining. Like others on here, I too am better for having read it!
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2024
Many scenes and lines are unforgettable.
A note about myself as a reader: I don't easily laugh out loud. I can be having a delightful time, finding what I am reading exceptionally clever, but it takes a lot for my laughter to be vocalized. This book had me giggling audibly on the subway numerous times.
Multiple chapters also brought me to tears. And some did both.
As an aspiring lyricist I adored reading about a few of my artistic idols like Jerry Herman and Jack Feldman.
Harvey's warm, genuine, inviting personality is one you just have a blast spending time with.
I also found myself Googling interviews and acceptance speeches mentioned in the book and sobbing and smiling and going down moving youtube rabbit holes. This read has been a fun, meaningful experience for me and I wish there were more chapters. I didn't want to leave.
Bway Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, hilarious memoir from a stage great
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022
Harvey Fierstein, needless to say, is a sensational storyteller. His book is every bit as entertaining as his parade of plays, musicals, and movies. I have had the great pleasure of meeting Harvey a few times in my long theatrical career. Although he won't recall these passing introductions, they always made a huge impression on me. He was and is a unique talent, whose memoir is as unique and fascinating as the man himself.

From a traditional Jewish family of modest means in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, Harvey becomes one of the greatest theatrical writers of the day. His parade of hit shows is like a history of gay theatre from the 1970s until this day. TORCH SONG TRILOGY was an utterly ground-breaking endeavor, an epic three-part play about a gay man coming to terms with his life - his search for love, the challenges of keeping love, his demand for respect from his harshly judgmental but oddly loving Jewish mother. This in the 1970s, when such boldly, outspokenly gay heroes were in scarce supply.

Like any great storyteller, Harvey (everyone calls him Harvey) elides over the sustained trauma. He talks candidly about his battle with alcoholism, but his recovery - poof! (OK, that's a gag.) He *does* seem to recover within a few pages, with little of the drawn-out torture of most alcoholics. He and the famously combative Arthur Laurents have their disagreements, but Harvey seems to cave to the imperious director's demands with no repercussions. And LA CAGE AUX FOLLES is a huge hit, which makes him even more famous and delightfully rich.

But the backstage peek at the great parade of shows and talent, from Jerry Herman to Stephen Sondheim (who said no to collaborating) to the great director-choreographer Jerry Mitch to Cyndi Lauper, is delicious. Harvey knows everyone - and I mean everyone - in the theatre. He does film and television, but his heart belongs on stage, playing characters larger than life, from Arnold Beckoff in TORCH SONG to Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF to the unforgettable Edna Turnblad in HAIRSPRAY. The voice, the timing, the drollery - there is no one as funny and bawdy and endearing as Harvey.

Ditto this enchanting history of his collaborators, his lovers, his co-stars, the backstage people who make everything happen.

For anyone who loves theatre, this is a Must Read. If you don't love theatre, do I even know you?
Grey Forge LeFey
5.0 out of 5 stars Like listening to stories from a castmate in the Green Room.
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2023
This book is mostly about theatre and a lot about Broadway as told by the diva who lived it. I'm familiar with Harvey since I saw Tidy Endings on HBO in the 80s and of course all of us gay actors in little theatre dreamed of doing Torch Song back when it was edgy and dangerous.

Harvey is wonderfully chatty, entertaining, and honest. Who knew his circles were so expansive? He name drops not like someone out to impress, but like someone who considered nearly everyone a friend. His stories are told casually as anecdotes and I catch myself pausing to reflect, "Wait. This person is a megawatt talent, a Broadway icon, a legend. How are they so very real?"

And so very wise. Harvey shares quotable observations about life generously because he's done the work, paid the piper, and loves like a bubbe.
InDaKnow
4.0 out of 5 stars Harvey is Hilarious
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this book. I knew little of Harvey's work beyond Torch Song Trilogy and Mrs. Doubtfire, but I've always liked him so I bought the book. I'm glad I did. This was an interesting read and his sense of humor is great throughout the book. Boy, did I ever learn a lot about him! I had no idea just how involved he was behind the scenes with various well-known productions, and all the famous people with whom he has worked. Who knew! I would definitely recommend it.
R. Sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2024
Even if I've seen so much of Harvey's work over the years, I was ultimately fairly clueless as to just how much he'd actually done. A very interesting look into a true insider's POV to the theatre, film and television worlds. Clearly, he's a tremendous juggler with all the balls he can manage to keep in the air. Definitely want to now do a deep dive into what to can to view and/or revisit his roles and writing.
Larabobblehead
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2023
I've loved Harvey for a very long time. This was such an amazing and intimate look into his story, full of so many moments and stories and emotional upheavals!! I loved every word. I'm so glad I read it, and recommend it to everyone with even a vague interest in theater. Absolutely brilliant.
Nina Jaye Henry
5.0 out of 5 stars Who Knew?
Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023
I have to admit that I always thought Harvey Fierstein was a big name because of his larger-than-life personality and physique, as well as his signature raspy voice. There is so much more to him! It turns out he is a gifted playwright and it seems this is where he most made his mark and some history along the way. Insightful, direct, and honest - well worth reading!
RLSinSF
3.0 out of 5 stars Just okay
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2023
It has a few good laughs and gossipy tidbits, but it doesn’t really add up to anything. Fierstein doesn’t seem to have any particular purpose in writing the book. It seems pretty slapdash, like what you’re looking at is the first draft. Strange, since his scripts always have a solid overarching driver. Could have used a stronger editorial hand, and the bad grammar! (Really, Harvey? You and the good folks at Alfred Knopf don’t know the difference between “me” and “I”?!) If you follow theater, you’ve already heard most of these stories. Unless you find it discounted or something, not recommended.

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