Life with My Sister Madonna | 
| Authors: Christopher Ciccone, Wendy Leigh
Publisher: Simon Spotlight Entertainment
Category: Book
List Price: $26.00
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Avg. Customer Rating:  190 reviews
Sales Rank: 4194
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.4
ISBN: 1416587624
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.42166092
EAN: 9781416587620
Publication Date: July 14, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product 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 facade. From their shared Michigan childhood, which Madonna transcended, then whisked Christopher to Manhattan with her in the early eighties, where he slepton 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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| Customer Reviews: Read 185 more reviews...
 Sad Sibling Story October 15, 2008
Yes, Christopher partied and helped Madonna along in her career, but like other reviews said....Madonna changed...she started having a family and children...and wanted a stable home life with a husband too. That puts your life in a whole different world. Christopher could not relate to that. He wanted things to be like old times. Yes, Madonna has a big ego, etc., etc., but she was done with the whole partying thing, and I think that's fine. Christopher needs to move on.
 Candid and insightful October 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
While I generally don't read celeb-bashing books, this one was quite candid. It is clear from the first paragraph of the intimate closeness that Chris has shared with M., and how it evolved more so over time. At times I felt like I was reading over someone's private letters, the details too delicate, perhaps better left between the two of them. And I was angered as well, mostly at her, for it is not just Chris's view of his sister that has tarnished her image--she has also done it many a time herself.
She comes across as a control freak, every piece of work that her brother has done for her has been at the expense of himself. Her relationship with him begins well, but over time it degrades as she must exact more and more terms of her favor over him.
His guilt perhaps lies in the fact that he has become too needy, and his life has become too enmeshed with hers to the point that to remain in her shadow, outside of her court is to be penniless. He has become a people-pleaser when it comes to her, and her incessant need to know the particulars of his life, to insist over time that he needs rehab when it is proven he does not, the only recourse one can expect from such a toxic relationship is extrication from it. I can't find fault in him for writing this, it's been a long time coming.
 What's It Feels Like For a Brother of a Material Girl October 11, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I first saw this tome at Barnes & Nobles and actually resisted getting it. Considering it was written by her "beloved" brother Christopher, it must be one posterior smooching session. When I read the reviews on Amazon about how this book was a hatchet job on the Queen Bitch herself that I have to grab my own copy, and read it all within two days (hey, I've got a job, PEOPLE!).
It seems Chris has a tale to tell. The book itself re-affirmed what we know or suspected about Lady M herself: a tight-waded, egocentric, calculating, publicity-hungry harpy who is one step away from flying around in a broom. Well, to a Madonna fanatic, the fact that she IS one and the sheer spectacle of her being one and getting away with it with impunity is one of the secrets of her success.
On the other hand, one cannot help but sympathized with Christopher on how Madonna used and abused him, and there are several examples of Madonna's behavior that I cannot excuse in anybody...like having her sister Paula pay her own way to her wedding to Guy Ritchie? How tacky is THAT?
As for Christopher himself, as many other reviewers have pointed out, he is no doubt talented, and with friends with Demi, Gwyneth, Kate, Naomi, etc. etc., he can't parlay that into a career of his own? In the business side of thing, Madonna is the one who did all the real hard work: writing songs, photo shoots, video shoots, singing and dancing in tours and promotional appearances, endless sessions in the recording studios. It seems in the end, Chris just expected his sister to keep throwing him a bone.
Also, I agree with other reviewers that Mr. Ciccone downplayed his own drug use. The fact that he bragged about doing a "key line" with Jack Nicholson and lamented flushing into the toilet the "finest" grade of coke (as a non-user I wouldn't know to save my life) he's ever had, and actually showed Courtney Love how to do coke, I'd say Madonna's suspicions have some legitimate basis. And the fact that he is always broke...as in Prince's song "Pop Life", I think Chris' money went up into his nostrils.
Overall, this book is entertaining and fun. In the end, Madonna may be the "bad girl" here, but don' tell me Chris himself isn't totally blameless. It hasn't change my status being a Madonna lunatic. After I watched Truth or Dare, I came to the realization that while I will always enjoy her music, videos and concerts, I wouldn't want to know her personally. My relationship with Mrs. Ritchie is like millions of others...we pay and she entertains. A fair exchange, I'd say. Any dirt on her personal life is just a little bonus to amuse us all.
Biotrash Fabulousness October 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a professionale crap reviewer (google jackie jones and no, I am not the jazz singer in Chicago but isn't she great!!!), I have this to say...
Christopher Ciccone is a brat. A talented brat. But say, if EYE wrote a bio on my step sisters, Bette, Joan, and Lana, I would be ashamed! Ashamed! But thank GOD my painting's sold.
Probably the best dirt since Mommy Dearest and Cheryl Crane. Totally worth it.
jj
Specially fror big time fans October 5, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is "can't put down" is you are a total Madonna fan, many small details behind the big superstar, nothing that you wouldn't imagine but lots of confirmations about the cold blooded diva. Madonna devotes herself to becoming her own brand and makes it at whatever price, over family or friends... yet to know if there is another way of becoming an icon, i personally don't think so. A big price for big stardom. And yes it is so lonely at the top!
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