This biography written by: Lesley-Ann Jones was a fascinating read. From his Parsee roots and Zoroastrian religious background, to the loneliness of his childhood when, at eight years old, he was sent away to boarding school, the author paints a remarkably vivid picture of the early years of Mercury's life, without boring the reader by lingering too long on those days. She then chronicles his rise to fame and all that came with it, without imposing her own perspective on the reasons behind his lifestyle choices and various relationships. Unlike many authors, she appears to respect the intelligence of her readers and their ability to draw their own conclusions, by themselves.
The legendary parties, the drugs and the promiscuous lifestyle are all included, but never in that exploitative style utilized by the tabloids to garner their readers. More importantly, she shares the background to the music that the band Queen provided, and the respectful way the band-mates worked together, always mindful of the contribution that each member made towards the band's success.
She has written an excellent book about an artist whose life was cut too short; a victim of AIDS, who contracted the disease in the early days before its dangers were recognized. The reader is left to make what they will of the mystery of what compels anyone of us to live the life that we choose. I find that very fitting for a man, that when asked about the meaning behind one of his works, "Bohemian Rhapsody," provided this answer: "Does it mean this, does it mean that, is all anybody wants to know. Fuck them, darling. I will say no more than what any decent poet would tell you if you dared ask him to analyze his work: if you see it, dear, then it's there."
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