Mercury and Me

I do get the feeling that Mr. Hutton really did love Freddie. However, after reading a few books and watching documentaries, I tend to believe that if Freddie hadn’t gotten sick, he would not have remained faithful/stayed with Jim. Who knows if he could’ve completely committed to any one person other than Mary. By most accounts, she was the love of his life and the one person he trusted and believed in. He’s quoted as saying she was his only friend and that he didn’t need any other friends and that it was impossible to replace her. If he wanted Things to be different for his housemates, he could’ve changed his will at any time yet he didn’t. I personally feel that he gave most of it to Mary because she always stood by him, was always there for him and believed in him and not because he felt guilty. Who knows what Freddie and Mary discussed? Only Mary would and she has been silent all these years. I’m sure it would make Freddie so happy to know that his faith in Mary was not in vain as she has not written a book exposing the privacy that’s Freddie so desperately wanted.

With the movie Bohemian Rhapsody I know there are a lot of new and renewed Queen and Freddie fans, so I thought I'd finally leave a review of this book. I think it's a horribly disrespectful and tasteless mess. I think (know?) Freddie would be pissed. I'm sure he wouldn't want the world to know exactly what his last days were like in such intimate detail. In addition, I actually doubt the validity of quite a bit of this book. For example, Hutton gives Freddie's "real name" as Freddie Bulsara instead of Farrokh Bulsara. Did he actually not know his first name?? I don't doubt that they were together, I just don't understand how Hutton made so many mistakes about factual items. I also don't understand how he could publicly lay so bare excruciating details about Freddie's decline, knowing full well how private Freddie was. Just because the man has died does not mean he would want everyone to know about bodily function loss, along with some other details. I would say if you admire and respect Freddie Mercury, don't buy this book. It really goes against the efforts he went to while alive to keep his private moments private. If any of this junk is even true. Also, it's clear Hutton couldn't stand Mary and makes sure the reader knows it, while trying to come off as such a great and humble guy. If he hadn't written this book, I might believe he was great and humble.

I read this after seeing Bohemian Rhapsody and it helped set straight a number of inaccuracies from the film. I went into the film not knowing much about Queen or Freddie Mercury, but I was curious to learn more. I didn't read too many reviews before going into the film, but I did see that there were quite a few negative ones. One of the complaints I read was that the way Freddie and Jim meet in the film was nothing like how they met in real life, so I decided to read Jim's story. (Spoilers to come.) I was surprised to learn that Freddie and Jim were already in a relationship before Live Aid and that Jim was visiting Freddie while he was in Munich. It made me feel very disappointed that the film acted as though Freddie still had some fixation on Mary at this point, when instead he seemed to be falling in love with Jim. Also, I learned that while Paul does betray Freddie, it happens much later than what the movie shows. I also learned that Freddie didn't know he had AIDS when he performed at Live Aid. So while in many respects I enjoyed the film very much, this dimmed my view of it a bit.But for the book itself, I found it a beautiful read-- one of the most wonderful love stories I've ever read. It must have been so hard for Jim to be treated as invisible in so many siutations because gay couples were so much less accepted at that time. I was amazed time and again by his patience with Freddie's mood swings. Yet in spite of Freddie's moodiness, they both seemed to have a deep and enduring love for each other. The end of the book is heart-breaking, particularly with Jim having to be forced so quickly from the home he and Freddie shared. I thought the book was well-written. It does seem a little disjointed in some places, but memories are like that-- they don't have the clear narrative flow of a novel. This is a story about what true love is.There is insight into Freddie Mercury as a person and some insight into his music as well, particularly into what he was working on in his later years and observations about h is work ethic, and musicians who inspired him. I also thought it was interesting hearing which of Freddie's songs were most special to Jim. Mainly the book is about Jim and Freddie's personal relatioship.Read this book-- you won't regret it.

This reads like a teen girls diary. While I understand that Jim Hutton needed to process his grief, but to put it out there as a book was not necessary. I believe that Freddie cared for Jim, but not to the extent that Jim was obsessed with Freddie. I was absolutely sickened by what I read. It makes Jim sound like a lecherous spoiled entitled man. Freddie left the bulk of his estate to Mary for a reason, he trusted her with his life. Ultimately she was the only one he trusted with his life. Jim chose to write this in a way that made him look no better than Paul Prenter. This is not a book I would ever recommend.

This fascinating memoir of Jim Hutton's years as Freddie Mercury's boyfriend, "husband," as Freddie called him, shares intimate moments in their rocky relationship. It was fascinating to read Hutton's take on some events that are documented on film, and others that weren't. His struggle with Freddie's fame, as his 'gardener' to some, are poignant. Freddie's bravery in dealing with AIDS, as well as his fears and need for discretion amid the horrid British tabloid treatment, are saddening. That Hutton died in 2010 adds to the bittersweet memoir's tone, and his mostly hidden role in supporting one of the greatest rock musicians of all time. (Added note for my Amazon review; the book arrived in just a few days, all the way from the UK. A small paperback, but the text was readable, and the color photos are an added plus)

What a book! I have always liked Queen's music but never knew anything about the band members, until the Bohemian Rhapsody movie came out this month. Watching the film left me empty. I needed to know more about Freddie. I was absolutely blown away. I tried reading a couple of books about him, but they seemed to be too factual with the music, I wanted to know more about him as a person. This book was 100% what I was looking for. From the first page i was totally drawn in. I cried, laughed, felt anger, heartbreak. If anyone wants to know more about his personal life, his relationship out of the limelight, read it! What an incredible legend Freddie Mercury!!!!

Having been an ardent fan of Queen since the mid 70s I eventually decided to read this book and in all honesty I wish I hadn’t. Yes it gave insight to Freddie’s personal life but I really feel that is where it should have stayed, personal. We know that Freddie was incredibly generous to all those close to him and Jim was certainly no exception but would he really have wanted the more intimate details disclosed? The last couple of chapters were indeed as expected heartbreaking, it was as though you were reliving the death of someone you physically knew and did make quite difficult reading. I had always had a very high regard for Mary Austin but if the contents of this book about her are true and not exaggerated then she did appear to be very selfish and didn’t consider Freddie’s wishes after he passed away.

Having recently watched the celebrated biographical film of Freddie Mercury; Bohemian Rhapsody at the cinema, I had to compare the blockbuster movie perspective with another, and so I chose; Mercury and Me by Jim Hutton. Hutton, being Freddie Mercury's partner during the last few years of his life gives an intimate account of Freddie and his lifestyle. It lacks the glamour of the movie, but does give a more realistic insight into Freddie Mercury.The Freddie of the blockbuster film is flamboyant, charismatic and charming, and of course talented. But that is a Hollywood perspective. Hutton's biography paints a picture of a Freddie who had far too much money, wasted a lot of it on hard drugs, and spent excessive amounts like water, on items he didn't need, nor would ever use. just because he could! Even in his last few months Freddie spent wildly on items, including real estate in Switzerland.He also had real estate in Germany, where he spent a lot of time, avoiding tax obligations to the British government. This is surely a betrayal of the country; Great Britain, which gave Freddie the freedom and opportunities to follow his dreams, whilst giving his family refuge when they fled Zanzibar; their home at the time.Yet, according to this biography, nobody was going to be critical of Freddie as he was surrounded by flunkies and yes men and women. In the end some of these hangers on, attended Freddie's funeral wake at his main home; Garden Lodge in London, opened a bottle of Champaign and roared with laughter.As for Jim Hutton, he seems to have been a very nice, genuine, yet naive man. He omitted to have possessions Freddie said he would leave to Jim in verbal communication, written into a will. Perhaps this is because Jim really was the only person who genuinely loved Freddie Mercury for who he was; not for his superstar status or money.The book is written as if Jim Hutton is talking, so it is not as structured as it might have been, if written by a professional. Yet, the style makes it more intimate and readable.In all a book to compare with the film; Bohemian Rhapsody, but the reader might need to read a few biographies on Freddie Mercury before settling on a broader view of the singer and the man.

Some bits interesting but too eager to keep telling how many kisses and cuddles they had. Also spoilt by the last chapters which are filled with what I imagine to be jealousy of Mary. Not necessary - and doesn’t quite ring true - seems a bit of sour grapes which serves nobody. Not nice.

Cobbled together is how this story is told. It lacks depth and real detail. I get that Jim was not a writer but surely the editor, if there was one-seems doubtful- would have probed for more accuracy. It just flits from one event to the next. I don't doubt they had a relationship of some sort but I found the book too fragmented and any detail was more about events such as we went here and there or I made this or that. It was less about them as a couple and just tried to fit in more about what they did together rather than who they were together. It really lacked a feeling of them as being in a deep relationship but that's only my opinion.