Renata Caffarelli

A second chapter in this powerful 'dramatisation' of the life of Freddie Mercury and Queen, written by a true fan. George and his band Ermine (I love the choice of pseudonym!) hit the big time, travelling the country and even getting to tour the US as a support band, but burgeoning fame and success only lead George further into temptation - how much longer can he continue living a double life with Nerys? There are some gay sex scenes, but nothing overly gratuitous - and the author's research into the 1970s New York gay scene is certainly convincing enough to the uninitiated!

In fact, there is an evocative sense of time and place throughout, from the three-day week in the UK to Bob Damron's address book in the US! And the dialogue is fast-paced, funny and believable - the banter of the band really brings their early days to life and adds heart to the story. Definitely recommended - if you want to learn more about Freddie and Queen, try this (albeit fictionalised) account over the many hackneyed biographies available.… (altro)

For readers wanting to learn more about Freddie Mercury's early days - when he was still Freddie Bulsara, fledgling musician and Jimi Hendrix devotee, passing the time at art school while band-hopping until he met Roger Taylor and Brian May in 'Smile' - I would wholeheartedly recommend this thinly veiled fictional account over biographies like the recent Somebody To Love. The author is obviously a fan of Freddie's, able to summarise the known biographical details of his real life with affection, respect and honesty, while building on his story with funny dialogue and an evocative sense of the 1970s.

In the first half of the story, which will hopefully soon be followed by part two, we meet George/Freddie, whose exotic heritage is tempered with a mix of Irish and Asian roots. Attending art college because 'loads of my music idols went to art school – not music school – all the real visionaries come via art', George joins his first band and also meets Harryo/Rosemary (Life, Art and Freddie Mercury), his first attempt at a serious girlfriend, who quickly helps him to realise where his passion really lies. He also meets Anthony/Roger and Robin/Brian, who are in the type of band that George aspires to - but first he has to hone his voice (stop sounding like a 'gay sheep') and abandon the guitar for the piano. George/Freddie's character is beautifully played throughout - superficially flamboyant and theatrical, like the fur coats and satin trousers he loves to wear, yet deeply sensitive, creative and hopelessly confused. He loves to talk to girls like Harryo and Nerys/Mary, while struggling to mask his stronger sexual desire for men. Both relationships are described with erotic rather than gratuitous intensity - including a surprising dalliance with a good friend that I wasn't expecting!

There are some lovely scenes, such as George getting high on a special infusion of jasmine tea ('I'm glam!' insisted George. 'Of course you are!' said Judith), and all the key points in Freddie's/Queen's timeline that fans will be familiar with, but even new readers should be able to enjoy the story and the biographical background. Fabulous, darling!… (altro)