Love You to Bits and Pieces: Life with David Helfgott

by Gillian Helfgott, Alissa Tanskaya

The wife of Australian pianist David Helfgott discusses the pianist's life story, from child musical prodigy, through his mental breakdown, and to a triumphant recovery

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Biography Memoir, Australia

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The film SHINE really had a profound effect on me, so much so that I went out and bought David Helfgott's CDs and three books based on his life, one being this one, the other two being the screenplay to SHINE and the book written by Beverley Eley.

I don't know how I would deal with a man like David. I am inspired by him. He amazes me. His incredible insight into people and yet his completely lacking social skills intrigue and bewuilder me. His love and devotion to his music and his wife and friends cause me great comfort. His wonderful, quick mind and plays on words make me laugh. His story makes me weep, first with sadness, and then with joy. To have great music, great art, we must have people like David Helfgott.

This book would be the one to read if you wanted a view on the kindness and the being. If you wanted a clear view of the artist and the man, then I would recommend Eley's book. If you want to just understand as much as you can, well, like myself, you can read them both, and throw the screenplay in for good measure...

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

read the book and watched the film...both were brilliant. i loved the self-affirmation and the selfless love in this story

[K M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes quite interesting and engaging, sometimes a bit tedious.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

After re-watching the film "Shine," based on the life of David Helfgott, a gifted pianist who battled mental illness/undiagnosed Autism throughout most of his life, I was curious to read the book LOVE YOU TO BITS AND PIECES, written by his wife, Gillian Helfgott. Several years his senior, and a noted astrologer, her telling of David's story is so detailed that I had to wonder if she kept a daily journal of every conversation and event not only from her first meeting with David but, also from what he told Gillian of his early life. Those versions could change dozens of times.

Clearly, the demands of living with David's eccentric and often erratic behavior were a challenge, but her devotion to him was apparent. However, her opinions of his father, and other people who had been an influence in his life, were colored by her own prejudices and often cruel judgmental opinions. The film omitted events and people in his life, including his first wife, that didn't fit in the version of David life that the screen writer, director, and Gillian wished to depict.

During my reading of the book, another book, written by his sister Margaret, OUT OF TUNE, arrived from my local library. Her book was a refutation of Gillian's in many ways. In scanning the book to decide if I'd read it, it was obvious that Margaret, who lived with David from childhood, had an entirely different view of his life. David's own recollections were often changeable depending on his state of mind. He and another sister both had been institutionalized for their mental issues, so even after finishing LOVE YOU TO BITS AND PIECES, I wasn't confident that all of David's perceptions and memories were accurate. Perhaps no one will ever know which stories were true, but in any case, David's remarkable musical gift, and wish to share it with people cannot be disputed.

[Beth Peninger · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's hard, I think, to rate someones true life story. So my rating has more to do with the way in which it was written (i.e. did it captivate me, keep me interested, etc?). Perhaps my "problem" with this particular one is that I just wasn't that interested from the get go. I've never heard of David Helfgott nor the movie "Shine" so I didn't really care about this brilliant piano player. I might have gotten interested if the book was written, in my opinion, to interest me. But as it was, David's wife Gillian didn't write it to interest me. I'm not a fan of simply retelling the details. Make them interesting! I didn't feel Gillian did this. And it is assumed that even if you aren't deeply interested in the musical world that you know who David Helfgott is and you are so enamored by him. I think this is a wrong assumption to make. I would guess that most fall into the category I do, having never heard of him before. And if that is the case the writing needs to be really good in order to get the reader really interested. This book just didn't do it for me. I kinda felt like I was trudging through it and honestly the last 100 or so pages I skimmed. It was a retelling after retelling of concerts and David's mannerisms - the prior pages had already recounted similar stories multiple times. So the book wasn't a win for me but I am curious to hear David play so I'll head over to YouTube and see if I can find him there so I can at least hear his brilliant playing.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story on the life of David Helfgott.

[Cathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the movie SHINE years ago, so when I saw this book, it caught my eye. I thought it might be interesting to learn more about the life of concert pianist, David Helfgott, as told by his wife. This was such a fascinating book at times, especially as Helfgott's mental illness challenges were explained. And oh, what a genius he is! Along with his manic energy, he possesses an uncanny ability to play the piano and listen to the TV, radio, and even conversations in another room, all without breaking his concentration. I loved reading about the Helfgott's relationship and how it somehow worked (hard for me to even comprehend), and I was heartbroken as I thought of the emotional trauma and pain that David endured during his youth, mostly because of his cruel father. And thinking about his breakdown and more than a decade spent in mental institutions (never with a clear record of his treatment--very shady) was really hard to even comprehend. But I guess this is a story of miracles--big and small ones--and how the power of friendship, love, and compassion can overcome years of abuse and suffering.

Parts of the book (mostly musical details) became a bit repetitious for me, but most of it flowed very quickly. This was a painful, yet also feel-good book for me.

[JJ]

'Shine' fue una de las películas que más me marcó de niño, este es el libro en el que se inspira. Es una biografía del pianista David Helfgott a través de los ojos de su esposa. También es una historia de amor de cómo el cariño desinteresado de ella lo salvó a él (crisis nerviosas, obsesiones, traumas, etc.), y cómo decidió quedarse a su lado pese a que a veces fuera muy difícil la convivencia, porque su amor vencía todo lo demás. Esperanzador relato.

[Wendy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the movie Shine and was pleased to come across this biography by David's Wife. There is so much angst and emotion packed into these pages but throughout it all Gillian's love for her husband and David's incredible musical ability do indeed shine through. So happy that David and Gillian found peace and tranquility in The Promised Land. A moving and ultimately uplifting read.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

True story of pianist, David Herfgott, written by his wife Gillian. Way too many references to pieces he played. To me the story dragged on because of this. Also, I couldn't decide if Gillian was using him to gain access to free holidays.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, this book is about musical genius and mental illness. But, more so about compassion. David is not the only person gifted with quirky characteristics and eccentricities. What can we embrace and what can we overlook in the complexities of all of our diverse personalities?

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and sometimes a little annoying.

[Annita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy cute

[Teah Robson · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was an endearing account, but was not my cup of tea

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good story about an amazing pianist. It was a bit hard to follow because the author did not write it in chronological order.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't say this very often (in fact I don't think I've ever said it before), but I liked the movie better than the book. Of course I usually read the book before the movie so that may have made the difference but I don't think so. While the story itself is fascinating I just didn't like the approach to writing it down. However, it was good to know that both David Helfgott and Gillian Helfgott were involved in the making of the movie and both were touched by their viewing of it because it so truly captured who they are. So, for once, a movie truly is "based on a true story", maybe even more than 50%.

[Bethany · Rating 1 out of 5]

Love You to Bits and Pieces is the true story on which the movie Shine is based: the life of pianist David Helfgott. His wife, Gillian, discusses David’s mental illnesses, childhood, adult life, and work.

This is a fascinating story, but is completely exhausting to read. It only has a few hundred pages - and large print; still, David’s endless capacity for energy and manic episodes leaves the reader sleepy at the end of every chapter. I worked on it for two weeks before finishing it today. My suggestion - and I never say this - is to watch the movie instead.

[Niki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple but beautiful little book about Australia pianist David Helfgott, written by his extremely patient wife Gillian. David is a brilliant musician who became erratic and obsessive as he aged due to a very abusive father. When he met Gillian he created floods everywhere he went due to his fascination with water, he holds you so close to talk gently in your ear at a mile a minute, and so much more... and despite his eccentricities she fell for him and wrote about their life together. Just lovely.

[Chana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the amazing story of musical prodigy David Helfgott; his talent, his childhood, his mental illness, his incredible wife, his recovery and musical come-back. Once I opened this book I just could not stop reading it, it really is unbelievable. Part of my amazement is not just for David Helfgott, but for his wife Gillian, the chances that she takes and her ability to make things happen. The two of them, Wow, I am ever so impressed. I would be interested to hear some of David Helfgott's recordings.

[Lamec Mariita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend the book for anyone who liked the movie "Shine". It's the true story that inspired the movie. It's a genuine story of triumph over adversity.The strength and courage of these two extraordinary people was impressing.The book was written with honesty and passion. You'll definitely love the book.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having originally watched the film of David's life - 'SHINE'- and then bought some of his music, I was thrilled to find this book, written by his wife. David's story has had a profound impact on me and his music reaches right to the very heart of my soul. Such an inspirational, gentle guy full of humility and love. A genuine treasure and pure genius.

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading this biography of the world famous pianist, David Helfgott,
written by his wife. It was a very interesting biography, but I got bored about half-way through as it became repetitive and tedious. It would have been better had it been shorter. It is a good biography, though, and I am glad I read it.

[Sapna Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emotions come alive in this tear jerker. It is an amazing journey of brilliance, hope and love. It reminded me of how little we control in life and yet how much difference one individual can make.

[Sandie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much name dropping and descriptions of musical halls/associations which meant nothing to me and distracted from the story. This book wasn't really accessible to me as a member of the general public and not a musician.

[Velvetink]

1 of 25 books bought today for $10 (the lot).

[Perla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novela un poco sosa sobre la vida de la autora con un músico con problemas mentales.

[Mathew White · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I enjoyed the movie, it was nice to read a few more details about his life. There were definitely parts that had me smirking as I read. Their story is extraordinary.