Spartacus and Me: Life, Love and Everything In Between

by Vashti Whitfield, Sue Smethurst (Contributor)

When you meet the love of your life, the one person you want to spend the rest of your days with, what do you do when they’re ripped away? Vashti and Andy Whitfield fitted together like the missing pieces of a perfect jigsaw. From the moment they met, they were inseparable. Vashti inspired Andy to fight fearlessly to achieve whatever he dreamed, and he gave her a love so deep that they both knew their life together would be nothing less than extraordinary. When Andy was talent-spotted on a Sydney beach, life changed forever. The shy engineer found his calling as an actor, landing the lead role in the hit Hollywood TV series Spartacus , while Vashti achieved her own dream, becoming a highly sought after executive coach. The arrival of their two beautiful children made their world complete. But then Andy was diagnosed with cancer. Miraculously he recovered and went back to his starring role... But as Andy fought gladiators in the ring, the cancer was waging its own war inside his body, and this time it wasn’t going to be beaten. Despite the shocking inevitability of his illness, Andy and Vashti were determined to leave a meaningful legacy, and bravely chose to share their journey to the end in the award-winning documentary Be Here Now . Now Vashti has rebuilt her life, and in this honest, heartfelt and at times hilariously moving story, she tells of life, love and overcoming loss – and the legacy we can all leave behind.

Genres: Adult, Nonfiction

Audio CD

Published September 15, 2017

Reviews

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read: January 2017
Re-read: October 2018
Rating: 5/5 stars; best of 2017 & 2018

I have been a fan of Vashti's since I stumbled across her blog in 2012 and I have always been struck by her positivity and determination to live her life to the fullest.

As soon as I saw she'd written a book I had to order it (despite the fact I could only order it from Australia and the shipping fees to the UK were astronomical!)

I picked it up yesterday afternoon and didn't put it down until I finished it just after midnight. I just loved it. Vashti has led such an amazing life, even before she met Andy Whitfield. The love she had for him and the way they lived their lives and supported each other is inspirational. Vashti is also honest about the strain that was placed on their marriage when he was cast as the lead role in Spartacus, and later towards the end she doesn't shy away from the brutality of cancer and the effect it had on Andy as well as the rest of the family.

This book is definitely one for the 'favourites' shelf.

(Also for some reason there is only a kindle version of this book on Goodreads but I read a paperback copy.)

[Alli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I borrowed this off a friend, as I was a huge Spartacus fan.
In the first few pages, she writes, "I never loved Andy for his looks though" - and I nearly choked with mirth - yeah, right, love!
I was very irritated how the author kept referring to her children as "the cubs" - who even says that! So irritating, that I couldn't bear to read another sentence.
RIP Andy.

[A.M. Swink · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely intimate and honest memoir that tells an extraordinary and heartbreaking love story. Get the tissues out for this one. Beautifully written, Vashti brings the reader into her world and the remarkable relationship she had with Andy. The difficulties of his cancer journey are horrific, but you come away with awe at the remarkable inner strength Andy possessed. A very poignant read.

[Blanka · Rating 5 out of 5]

After listening to the audio version narrated by Vashti herself I have to say I started questioning my own way of living. This book shook my world in ways I didn't expect.
It is such a personal story which made me burst into tears but also made me laugh many times.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book starts out a little slow, understandably so. By the 8th chapter I couldn't stop listening. I wanted to get to the end but I didn't want the book to end. I look at things a little differently now. It's hard to change but I try to do better a little at a time, thanks to this book.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Andy Whitfield was brilliant as Spartacus. He got just a single season in before his cancer diagnosis. Though I find the author - his wife - strange and annoying, her grief seeps through the text. This is a sad book.

[Tammie Kaufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have watched this documentary and it was nice to get background of their lives before it. So brave that they documented this and a reminder carpe diem..

[Nic B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that I had picked up some time ago, and honestly forgot I even had it. In a way, I am glad I had, because I don't think I would have received it the same way as I do now.

Vashti delivers this book in a very personal and intimate way, which allows the listener to feel a deeper emotional connection. This book not only celebrates Vashti and Andy's life together but also explores life itself. It definitely is a great audiobook to listen to if you need a little extra inspiration to get out and live your life.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read by a self observed, contric