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The Other Side of Me
Author of over a dozen bestsellers, Academy Award-winning screenwriter, and creator of some of television's greatest hits, Sheldon has seen and done it all, and now in this candid memoir, he shares his story for the first time.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
220 people are currently reading
3590 people want to read
About the author
Sidney Sheldon
370 books8,633 followersSidney Sheldon (1917-2007) was an American writer who won awards in three careers—a Broadway playwright, a Hollywood TV and movie screenwriter, and a best-selling novelist.
His TV works spanned a twenty-year period during which he created I Dream of Jeannie (1965-70), Hart to Hart (1979-84), and The Patty Duke Show (1963-66), but it was not until after he turned 50 and began writing best-selling novels such as Master of the Game (1982), The Other Side of Midnight (1973) and Rage of Angels (1980) that he became most famous.
His TV works spanned a twenty-year period during which he created I Dream of Jeannie (1965-70), Hart to Hart (1979-84), and The Patty Duke Show (1963-66), but it was not until after he turned 50 and began writing best-selling novels such as Master of the Game (1982), The Other Side of Midnight (1973) and Rage of Angels (1980) that he became most famous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
March 1, 2018
It was a thrill to read this book, considering Sidney Sheldon s novels have been a favourite of mine for decades. What a brilliant, fecund writer! As we learn from this work in the first part of his life he brought entertainment to countless people by being the man behind some great movies, and television series'. He grew up in relative poverty, the fact eg that his family would remorselessly squeeze out any vestiges of toothpaste from the tube resonates with an African like myself.
He loved the world of reading and writing from an early age. His breakthrough was fortuitous and a close-run thing, as a lady helped him to type a sort of summary, resume of a book. In this work we are frequently reminded of Sheldon the master of the unexpected in his narratives, it often looks like fiction, but it is not, it is the story of his life. In the early days he does all he can to put together impressive screenplays, and makes a name for himself despite vicissitudes.
Mr Sheldon unambiguously has what is referred to as "ubuntu" in southern Africa, ie he's a humane, good man in essence. Here we read about the bad times when he could not even pay his black "domestic" who helps with the baby at home. He had no choice, she had to go. Yet she refuses, despite the fact her employers cannot pay her! She prefers to stay on. Incredibly, when she hears Mr Sheldon and wife quarelling about not being able to afford to go out one day, she hands some money over to them to go out, despite being unpaid! No doubt she loved her employers very much.
Later on in this work, quite abruptly, we read about the author becoming a novelist and ultimately a world famous, best selling one. But it was not so easy for him in the beginning- we laugh as we read about a sort of promotions/launch of his first novel as apparently nobody is interested in the book, and avoid his section...until a lady takes pity on him and chances to buy a copy. "It was an act of mercy"..
What a wonderful life Mr Sheldon lived, creating so many beautiful things, television classics and novels....and the novels were transformed into superb movies too. Take the early tv series I dream of Jeannie and how it was loved worldwide for many decades. Think of the very first episode with the actor Larry Hagman being kissed by the gorgeous Barbara Eden "I must have gone further into orbit than I thought"…
In our modern times, snippets from all Sheldon creations can be appreciated anytime. I for one even now regularly check on Youtube Sheldon drama with its supplementary, superb music or sound effects - of my favourite Sheldon movies like If tomorrow comes, Master of the game, and The other side of midnight. Sheldon has brought fizz and excitement to millions around the world and we must always celebrate him! A great, great man.
He loved the world of reading and writing from an early age. His breakthrough was fortuitous and a close-run thing, as a lady helped him to type a sort of summary, resume of a book. In this work we are frequently reminded of Sheldon the master of the unexpected in his narratives, it often looks like fiction, but it is not, it is the story of his life. In the early days he does all he can to put together impressive screenplays, and makes a name for himself despite vicissitudes.
Mr Sheldon unambiguously has what is referred to as "ubuntu" in southern Africa, ie he's a humane, good man in essence. Here we read about the bad times when he could not even pay his black "domestic" who helps with the baby at home. He had no choice, she had to go. Yet she refuses, despite the fact her employers cannot pay her! She prefers to stay on. Incredibly, when she hears Mr Sheldon and wife quarelling about not being able to afford to go out one day, she hands some money over to them to go out, despite being unpaid! No doubt she loved her employers very much.
Later on in this work, quite abruptly, we read about the author becoming a novelist and ultimately a world famous, best selling one. But it was not so easy for him in the beginning- we laugh as we read about a sort of promotions/launch of his first novel as apparently nobody is interested in the book, and avoid his section...until a lady takes pity on him and chances to buy a copy. "It was an act of mercy"..
What a wonderful life Mr Sheldon lived, creating so many beautiful things, television classics and novels....and the novels were transformed into superb movies too. Take the early tv series I dream of Jeannie and how it was loved worldwide for many decades. Think of the very first episode with the actor Larry Hagman being kissed by the gorgeous Barbara Eden "I must have gone further into orbit than I thought"…
In our modern times, snippets from all Sheldon creations can be appreciated anytime. I for one even now regularly check on Youtube Sheldon drama with its supplementary, superb music or sound effects - of my favourite Sheldon movies like If tomorrow comes, Master of the game, and The other side of midnight. Sheldon has brought fizz and excitement to millions around the world and we must always celebrate him! A great, great man.
November 16, 2008
This is a GREAT autobiography. I didn't know a lot about Sheldon, other than the fact that he was the creator/producer of the tv sitcom "I Dream of Jennie."
Sheldon had an indomitable spirit: everytime he got knocked down, he got back up. And he got knocked down a lot. And rather than becoming cynical, he regarded negative experiences as learning opportunities, and kept moving forward.
He worked with a lot of the greats: Cary Grant, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland...
You will have a hard time putting this down!
Sheldon had an indomitable spirit: everytime he got knocked down, he got back up. And he got knocked down a lot. And rather than becoming cynical, he regarded negative experiences as learning opportunities, and kept moving forward.
He worked with a lot of the greats: Cary Grant, Shirley Temple, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland...
You will have a hard time putting this down!
December 30, 2012
Para os admiradores de Sidney Sheldon!
Gostei muito. É uma autobiografia, escrita com a mesma mestria com que escreveu todos os seus romances. Prende desde a primeira frase! Leva-nos a conhecer os seus sucessos e fracassos, os seus medos, as suas inseguranças, os seus problemas emocionais, mas acima de tudo faz-nos ter vontade de virar a página seguinte e a "nunca fechar o livro demasiado cedo...", a nunca desistir de continuar a escrever o romance que é a vida! Felizmente, para nós leitores, Sidney Sheldon decidiu "não fechar o livro demasiado cedo"!
Sabiam que antes de ser escritor foi realizador, argumentista e director em Hollywood? E que chegou a ganhar um Oscar?
Vale a pena ficar a conhecer o homem por trás das histórias que nos encantam!
Gostei muito. É uma autobiografia, escrita com a mesma mestria com que escreveu todos os seus romances. Prende desde a primeira frase! Leva-nos a conhecer os seus sucessos e fracassos, os seus medos, as suas inseguranças, os seus problemas emocionais, mas acima de tudo faz-nos ter vontade de virar a página seguinte e a "nunca fechar o livro demasiado cedo...", a nunca desistir de continuar a escrever o romance que é a vida! Felizmente, para nós leitores, Sidney Sheldon decidiu "não fechar o livro demasiado cedo"!
Sabiam que antes de ser escritor foi realizador, argumentista e director em Hollywood? E que chegou a ganhar um Oscar?
Vale a pena ficar a conhecer o homem por trás das histórias que nos encantam!
October 13, 2020
Sidney Sheldon is bestseller author and certainly He made a lot of money. So typical approach of youth from my country is to become like Him. So they think that they will write a novel as a fluke and out of the blue it'll make them rich like Sidney Sheldon.
But what you don't know is that he waited hours for a single buyer of his first book in a convention while other authors were busy signing their books.
And mind it, it still happened when He had a prolific career in Hollywood as playwright.
Success isn't presented in a plate my friends. So this book is all about making that "plate" happen.
It's interesting book with some icing of a drama. Sidney Sheldon described His attempt of suicide while great depression. His patents were interesting characters too. His father loved His job as a salesman and one of best example of his expertise is that he sold his son a thought to come out of the plan to end His life.
The book almost cover His all life that how did he start his career as professional reader, song writer and playwright. This can be a career oriented autobiography as most of His stories revolve around His professional life. That's why sometimes it feels repeative.
I am looking forward to read His novels. I call myself a crime fiction enthusiast but didn't read one of His books. That's shame.
But what you don't know is that he waited hours for a single buyer of his first book in a convention while other authors were busy signing their books.
And mind it, it still happened when He had a prolific career in Hollywood as playwright.
Success isn't presented in a plate my friends. So this book is all about making that "plate" happen.
It's interesting book with some icing of a drama. Sidney Sheldon described His attempt of suicide while great depression. His patents were interesting characters too. His father loved His job as a salesman and one of best example of his expertise is that he sold his son a thought to come out of the plan to end His life.
The book almost cover His all life that how did he start his career as professional reader, song writer and playwright. This can be a career oriented autobiography as most of His stories revolve around His professional life. That's why sometimes it feels repeative.
I am looking forward to read His novels. I call myself a crime fiction enthusiast but didn't read one of His books. That's shame.
January 1, 2022
The other side of me is the autobiographical memoirs of Sidney Sheldon. He has shared the journey of his life, his rise from the ashes, and the manifestation of his long-time dream of becoming a writer.
April 24, 2015
Added 2/22/10.
RE: Sydney Sheldon (1917-2007)
I recently listened to an audio version of the following autobiography: The Other Side of Me by Sidney Sheldon (first published in 1995). He tells about how he got his start as a screenplay writer in Hollywood after many ups and downs. Eventually, he won an Oscar for writing "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" which was chosen as the Best Original Screenplay of 1947. He also won a shared award for the writing of "Easter Parade" in 1949.
After going into TV, he created the following shows: "The Patty Duke Show", "I Dream of Jeannie", and "Hart to Hart". It was interesting to learn the details of how those shows came about and how things progressed behind the scenes with all the different show-business personalities.
This autobiography is tremendously interesting to me because I enjoy hearing about things which have gone on behind the scenes. The book is read by Mike O'Malley (who plays "Jim" on the TV series "Yes, Dear"). He does a good job with the reading, giving dramatic tone to the quotes of different people whom Sydney Sheldon mentions.
Before he wrote novels, Sheldon was a successful screen writer for films and TV, a producer, and a director. He wrote his first (or second) book (at about the age of 55) after the idea for the plot nagged at him for a while. The book, The Other Side of Midnight (1974), turned out to be a bestseller. After that he wrote many other novels.
It was interesting to learn that Sydney Sheldon dictated his books to a secretary.
At the end of the audio CD, Sheldon (then in his 80s) tells us additional things about himself. There's also a short interview with him. His elderly voice sounds very weak.
PS-Sheldon tells the story of his life so well that it's just as interesting as a good novel.
SHELDON'S WIKI PAGE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_s...
Wiki says about Sheldon: "He is the seventh best selling fiction writer of all time." Amazing!
RE: Sydney Sheldon (1917-2007)
I recently listened to an audio version of the following autobiography: The Other Side of Me by Sidney Sheldon (first published in 1995). He tells about how he got his start as a screenplay writer in Hollywood after many ups and downs. Eventually, he won an Oscar for writing "The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer" which was chosen as the Best Original Screenplay of 1947. He also won a shared award for the writing of "Easter Parade" in 1949.
After going into TV, he created the following shows: "The Patty Duke Show", "I Dream of Jeannie", and "Hart to Hart". It was interesting to learn the details of how those shows came about and how things progressed behind the scenes with all the different show-business personalities.
This autobiography is tremendously interesting to me because I enjoy hearing about things which have gone on behind the scenes. The book is read by Mike O'Malley (who plays "Jim" on the TV series "Yes, Dear"). He does a good job with the reading, giving dramatic tone to the quotes of different people whom Sydney Sheldon mentions.
Before he wrote novels, Sheldon was a successful screen writer for films and TV, a producer, and a director. He wrote his first (or second) book (at about the age of 55) after the idea for the plot nagged at him for a while. The book, The Other Side of Midnight (1974), turned out to be a bestseller. After that he wrote many other novels.
It was interesting to learn that Sydney Sheldon dictated his books to a secretary.
At the end of the audio CD, Sheldon (then in his 80s) tells us additional things about himself. There's also a short interview with him. His elderly voice sounds very weak.
PS-Sheldon tells the story of his life so well that it's just as interesting as a good novel.
SHELDON'S WIKI PAGE: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_s...
Wiki says about Sheldon: "He is the seventh best selling fiction writer of all time." Amazing!
May 6, 2020
আত্মহত্যা করতে চেয়েছিলেন সতের বছর বয়সে। হতাশা গ্রাস করেছিল তাকে। দারিদ্রতা, বেকারত্ব, ব্যর্থতা বারবার আঘাত হেনেছে সিডনি শেলডনের জীবনে। জীবনের বন্ধুর পথ পেরুতে বিচিত্র অভিজ্ঞতার মধ্য দিয়ে গিয়েছেন শিডনি শেলডন। আজকে তিনি বিশ্বব্যাপী পরিচিত লেখক হিসেবে। কিন্তু তার আরেকটি মুখাবয়ব রয়েছে। হলিউডের বিখ্যাত একজন চিত্রনাট্যকার শিডনি শেলডন। এই আত্মকথায় লেখক শেলডনকে পাওয়া যাবে না। খুঁজতে হবে চিত্রনাট্যকার সিডনি শেলডনকে।
যুক্তরাষ্ট্র তখন স্মরণকালের ভয়াবহ অার্থিক মন্দার শিকার। সেই ত্রিশের দশকের গ্রেট ডিপ্রেশনের সময় থেকে নিজের গল্প বলা শুরু করেছেন শেলডন।
বাবা-মায়ের বিবাদ, সংসারে অভাব এমন একটি পরিবারের সন্তান শেলডন। দারিদ্র্যতার কারণেই মূলত তাদের পরিবারে এত অশান্তি। পড়াশোনা বাদ দিয়ে কাজে ঢুকে পড়তে হলো কিশোর শেলডনকে। শেলডন তার পরিবার সেই সংগ্রামকে ছোট্ট ছোট্ট অধ্যায় আকারে লিখেছেন। ত্রিশের দশকের যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের পারিপার্শ্বিকতার একটি বর্ণনা পাওয়া যায়।
গরিবি হঠাতে বারবার জীবিকার খোঁজে বের হতে হয়েছে শেলডনকে। জুতার দোকানের বিক্রয়কর্মী থেকে গীতিকার। এমনকি বিমানের পাইলটের ট্রেনিংও নিয়েছিলেন।
লেখক হওয়ার ইচ্ছে আদৌ কখনও সিডনি শেলডনের ছিল বলে মনে হয়না। বিখ্যাত গীতিকার হওয়ার স্বপ্নে বিভোর ছিলেন শেলডন। সেই রাঙা স্বপ্ন বাস্তবায়নের জন্য ফিল্ম কোম্পানিগুলোর দ্বারে দ্বারে ঘুরেছেন। প্রকাশকদের শরণাপন্ন হয়েছেন। কিন্তু কেউ এই নবীন মানুষটিকে মূল্যায়ন করেনি। বাস্তবতার কষাঘাতে জর্জরিত হয়েছেন অসংখ্যবার।
ফিল্ম কোম্পানির জন্য বইয়ের সামারি তৈরির কাজ করতে করতে হঠাৎ দেখলেন নাট্যকার হয়ে গেছেন। মূলত নাট্যকার শেলডনকে বিশদভাবে পাওয়া যায় এই আত্মজীবনীতে। হলিউডের নামজাদা পরিচালক, প্রযোজকদের সাথে কাজ করেছেন। তাদের জন্য চিত্রনাট্য লিখেছেন। চলচ্চিত্র পরিচালনা করেছেন। এমনকি পেয়েছেন অস্কার। যে পুরস্কার পাবেন বলে তখনও তার কল্পনায় ছিল না।
তারকার পতনের মতে বিখ্যাত চিত্রনাট্যকার সিডনি শেলডনের পতন ঘটলো। একদম বেকার। দারিদ্র্য আবারও চরমভাবে আঘাত হানলো। বাড়ি-গাড়ি সব নিলামে উঠলো। সেই কিশোর বয়সের হতাশাবোধ আষ্টেপৃষ্টে বেঁধে ফ���ললো শেলডনকে। আত্মহত্যাপ্রবণতা ফিরে এলো। অদম্য মনোবল সিডনি শেলডনের। হলিউডে প্রত্যাবর্তন করলেন বড় সাফল্য নিয়ে। এরপর ভালো-মন্দের মিশ্রণে দিনগুলি কেটে গিয়েছে।
বইয়ের শেষ দুটো অধ্যায়য়ে লেখকের বেশে আবির্ভূত হবেন সিডনি শেলডন। কোনো বিশেষ আশা নিয়ে লেখালেখি শুরু করেননি। প্রথম উপন্যাস "The Naked Face" প্রকাশের পর পেয়েছেন অগণিত পাঠকের ভালোবাসা।চিত্রনাট্যকারের চাইতে শতগুণে উপভোগ করেছেন ঔপন্যাসিক জীবন। ঔপন্যাসিক হিসেবে নিজের সাফল্যের রহস্য নিয়ে লিখেছেন,
" If there is one reason for the success of my books, I believe it’s because my characters are very real to me and therefore, to my readers. "
লেখক শেলডনের চাইতে চিত্রনাট্যকার শেলডনের প্রাধান্য এই আত্মকথায়। হলিউড নিয়ে আগ্রহী পাঠক পড়ে খুব আনন্দ পাবেন। চলচ্চিত্র নিয়ে আমার ধারণা কম থাকার দরুন শেলডনের আত্মজীবনীর পুরোটা উপভোগ করতে পারিনি। একঘেয়ে লাগছিল এত এত নামি-দামি পরিচালক, ফিল্ম কোম্পানি এবং তারকা-মহাতারকাদের ভিড়। সিডনি শেলডনের গদ্য খুব সহজসরল। পড়তে আনন্দ পাওয়া যায়। গতিময় গদ্য যাকে বলে।
যুক্তরাষ্ট্র তখন স্মরণকালের ভয়াবহ অার্থিক মন্দার শিকার। সেই ত্রিশের দশকের গ্রেট ডিপ্রেশনের সময় থেকে নিজের গল্প বলা শুরু করেছেন শেলডন।
বাবা-মায়ের বিবাদ, সংসারে অভাব এমন একটি পরিবারের সন্তান শেলডন। দারিদ্র্যতার কারণেই মূলত তাদের পরিবারে এত অশান্তি। পড়াশোনা বাদ দিয়ে কাজে ঢুকে পড়তে হলো কিশোর শেলডনকে। শেলডন তার পরিবার সেই সংগ্রামকে ছোট্ট ছোট্ট অধ্যায় আকারে লিখেছেন। ত্রিশের দশকের যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের পারিপার্শ্বিকতার একটি বর্ণনা পাওয়া যায়।
গরিবি হঠাতে বারবার জীবিকার খোঁজে বের হতে হয়েছে শেলডনকে। জুতার দোকানের বিক্রয়কর্মী থেকে গীতিকার। এমনকি বিমানের পাইলটের ট্রেনিংও নিয়েছিলেন।
লেখক হওয়ার ইচ্ছে আদৌ কখনও সিডনি শেলডনের ছিল বলে মনে হয়না। বিখ্যাত গীতিকার হওয়ার স্বপ্নে বিভোর ছিলেন শেলডন। সেই রাঙা স্বপ্ন বাস্তবায়নের জন্য ফিল্ম কোম্পানিগুলোর দ্বারে দ্বারে ঘুরেছেন। প্রকাশকদের শরণাপন্ন হয়েছেন। কিন্তু কেউ এই নবীন মানুষটিকে মূল্যায়ন করেনি। বাস্তবতার কষাঘাতে জর্জরিত হয়েছেন অসংখ্যবার।
ফিল্ম কোম্পানির জন্য বইয়ের সামারি তৈরির কাজ করতে করতে হঠাৎ দেখলেন নাট্যকার হয়ে গেছেন। মূলত নাট্যকার শেলডনকে বিশদভাবে পাওয়া যায় এই আত্মজীবনীতে। হলিউডের নামজাদা পরিচালক, প্রযোজকদের সাথে কাজ করেছেন। তাদের জন্য চিত্রনাট্য লিখেছেন। চলচ্চিত্র পরিচালনা করেছেন। এমনকি পেয়েছেন অস্কার। যে পুরস্কার পাবেন বলে তখনও তার কল্পনায় ছিল না।
তারকার পতনের মতে বিখ্যাত চিত্রনাট্যকার সিডনি শেলডনের পতন ঘটলো। একদম বেকার। দারিদ্র্য আবারও চরমভাবে আঘাত হানলো। বাড়ি-গাড়ি সব নিলামে উঠলো। সেই কিশোর বয়সের হতাশাবোধ আষ্টেপৃষ্টে বেঁধে ফ���ললো শেলডনকে। আত্মহত্যাপ্রবণতা ফিরে এলো। অদম্য মনোবল সিডনি শেলডনের। হলিউডে প্রত্যাবর্তন করলেন বড় সাফল্য নিয়ে। এরপর ভালো-মন্দের মিশ্রণে দিনগুলি কেটে গিয়েছে।
বইয়ের শেষ দুটো অধ্যায়য়ে লেখকের বেশে আবির্ভূত হবেন সিডনি শেলডন। কোনো বিশেষ আশা নিয়ে লেখালেখি শুরু করেননি। প্রথম উপন্যাস "The Naked Face" প্রকাশের পর পেয়েছেন অগণিত পাঠকের ভালোবাসা।চিত্রনাট্যকারের চাইতে শতগুণে উপভোগ করেছেন ঔপন্যাসিক জীবন। ঔপন্যাসিক হিসেবে নিজের সাফল্যের রহস্য নিয়ে লিখেছেন,
" If there is one reason for the success of my books, I believe it’s because my characters are very real to me and therefore, to my readers. "
লেখক শেলডনের চাইতে চিত্রনাট্যকার শেলডনের প্রাধান্য এই আত্মকথায়। হলিউড নিয়ে আগ্রহী পাঠক পড়ে খুব আনন্দ পাবেন। চলচ্চিত্র নিয়ে আমার ধারণা কম থাকার দরুন শেলডনের আত্মজীবনীর পুরোটা উপভোগ করতে পারিনি। একঘেয়ে লাগছিল এত এত নামি-দামি পরিচালক, ফিল্ম কোম্পানি এবং তারকা-মহাতারকাদের ভিড়। সিডনি শেলডনের গদ্য খুব সহজসরল। পড়তে আনন্দ পাওয়া যায়। গতিময় গদ্য যাকে বলে।
November 4, 2021
I, for one, am not familiar with his works. I've heard of him obviously, but I just haven't read anything by him. So, honestly I wasn't very eager to pick up this memoir. But a cousin of mine (from whom I borrowed this book) suggested I go for this, as it's one of his best works.
But after reading this, I feel kind of cheated. I wasn't aware that Sidney Sheldon was a big-time Hollywood script writer. He kept name-dropping these supposedly famous playwrights and directors and producers and actors of the pre- and post-war era and I didn't know anyone. 😆 It felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page of Sidney Sheldon, which was not something I was looking for.
Apart from all the Hollywood shiz, we also got to know a little about Sheldon's personal life, his fight with depression and the various highs and lows of his career. This part was interesting and slightly relatable.
But overall, it was mediocre and I feel I have read better memoirs than The Other Side of Me.
But after reading this, I feel kind of cheated. I wasn't aware that Sidney Sheldon was a big-time Hollywood script writer. He kept name-dropping these supposedly famous playwrights and directors and producers and actors of the pre- and post-war era and I didn't know anyone. 😆 It felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page of Sidney Sheldon, which was not something I was looking for.
Apart from all the Hollywood shiz, we also got to know a little about Sheldon's personal life, his fight with depression and the various highs and lows of his career. This part was interesting and slightly relatable.
But overall, it was mediocre and I feel I have read better memoirs than The Other Side of Me.
May 22, 2022
হুমায়ূন আহমেদের আত্নজীবনীগুলো আমার ওনার করা কাজগুলোর মধ্যে পছন্দের শীর্ষে। নিজের যাপিত জীবনটাকে এত সাবলীল সাধারণভাবে তুলে ধরার কাজটা সহজ নয়। লেখক হিসেবে ভালো বলেই হুমায়ূন পেরেছেন। ওনার পর সিডনি শেলডনের জীবনী আমাকে প্রবলভাবে আকৃষ্ট করলো।
মানুষ হিসেবে সিডনি শেচটেল শুধু সাধারণই ছিলেন না,তিনি ছিলেন নিম্ন মধ্যবিত্ত পরিবারের সন্তান। তার বাবার কোন নির্দিষ্ট চাকরি ছিলো না। আজ বিরাট বড় পেন্থহাউজে পরিবার নিয়ে বাস করছেন তো কাল বস্তিতে গিয়ে উঠছেন। সিডনি জীবনে এমন কোন কাজ বোধহয় নেই যা করেননি। ভাবা যায় বিশ্বখ্যাত এই থ্রিলার লেখক একসময় জুতার দোকানের সেলসম্যান ছিলেন। একসময় সিনেমা হলের সামনে দাঁড়িয়ে চিৎকার করে বলতেন,"আসুন ভালো সিনেমা আছে,দেখে যান,জায়গা আছে..."
জীবনে অনেক বড় কিছু করার স্বপ্ন ছিলো সিডনির বরাবরই। কিন্তু ছোটখাটো এসব কাজ করেই সারাজীবন কাটাতে হবে ভেবে আত্নহত্যা করতে যান একবার। বাবা ধরে ফেলেন তাকে। তিনি বলেন, "জীবন তো একটা উপন্যাসের মতো,যখন তখন পাতা উল্টাতে পারে। আর তুমি যেহেতু লেখক তোমার জীবনের পরের পাতাটা তুমিই লিখবে।"
তখন থেকেই সিডনি শুরু করেন তার জীবনের উপন্যাসের পাতা উল্টানো,একেকটা সাফল্যকে একেকটা পাতা হিসেবেই উল্লেখ করেছেন তিনি। সিডনি শেচটেল থেকে সিডনি শেলডন হয়ে ওঠার পুরো জার্নিটা আসলেই চমৎকার এক উপন্যাস।
লিখেছেন গান, বানিয়েছেন নাটক, সিনেমা। প্রথম জীবনে রিডারের কাজ করেছেন। অক্লান্ত পরিশ্রম করেছেন দিন থেকে রাত। একগাদা পার্টটাইম জব করার ফাঁকে ফাঁকেও লিখে গেছেন। কখনো কোন চাকরির অফার বা কোন নাটক/সিনেমা লেখার অফার সময়ের স্বল্পতার জন্য ফিরিয়ে দেননি। মনে মনে ভেবেছেন, "সম্ভব না" কিন্তু মুখে বলেছেন,"করবো"। এইভাবেই সাফল্য তার কাছে ধরা না দিয়ে পারেনি।
আমেরিকায় যুদ্ধ লাগলে সিডনি পাইলট হিসেবে দেশের কাজেও যোগ দেন, ফাঁকে ফাঁকে চালিয়ে গেছেন লেখালেখি। একটা মানুষ কত যে পরিশ্রম করতে পারে!
সিডনির সবচেয়ে বড় গুন উনি জানতেন যে উনি বড় কিছু একটা হবেনই। জ্যোতিষি তার হাত দেখে বলেছিলো,"তুমি একদিন বিশ্ববিখ্যাত হবে",সিডনির মা মনেপ্রাণে বিশ্বাস করতেন সেটা। আজ মানুষ তার সেই খ্যাতিটাই দেখে,এর পেছনে কত যে গল্প আছে তা জানতে হলে বইটি পড়তেই হবে। মানুষ কত কষ্ট কত ক্লান্তি সহ্য করতে পারে সফল হবার জন্য তা জানতে হলে সিডনিকে দেখতে হবে। তুমুল জনপ্রিয় এই লেখক একসময় তার লেখা নিয়ে প্রকাশকের দ্বারে দ্বারে ঘুরেও জবাব পাননি। এটা অবশ্য নতুন কিছু না। নতুনদের লেখা প্রকাশকরা না পড়েই রিজেক্ট করে দেন বরাবরই, বিখ্যাত অনেক মানুষের সাথেই এসব হয়েছে। কিন্তু সিডনি তার জন্য লেখা থামাননি। কোন অফার ফিরিয়ে দেননি,শত কাজের চাপেও লেখার জন্য সময় করে নিয়েছেন। একসময় নিউইয়র্ক,শিকাগো,সানফ্রান্সিসকো শহরে বিখ্যাত সিডনি শেলডন পায়ে হেঁটে ঘুরে বেড়িয়েছেন কারণ তার বাসভাড়া ছিলো না, হলিউডের দরজা থেকে ফিরে এসেছেন,করেছেন টেলিফোন সার্ভিস,হোটেলের বয়, ওষুধের দোকানের সেলসম্যানের চাকরির মত তুচ্ছাতিতুচ্ছ কাজগুলো। নিজেকে নিয়ে এত স্বপ্ন ছিলো তার যে যেখানেই যেতেন নিজেকে সেখানকার ভবিষ্যত মালিক কল্পনা করতেন,কারত তিনি জানতেন টিকে থাকতে পারলে তার দ্বারা এটা সম্ভব।
একবার হলিউডে কাজের সুযোগ পেয়েই যে হুহু করে জনপ্রিয় হতে শুরু করেছেন তাও না। শুরুতে কিছু বি গ্রেড মুভি তৈরি করার জন্য বড় কাজ পেতেও ঝামেলা হয়েছে তার। কেউ তার লেখা পড়ে নাক সিঁটকিয়ে বলেছেও, "এটা কি লিখেছো? হলিউডের নাম তুমিই ডোবাবে।"
সেই সিডনি শেলডন আজ একাধিক ইন্টারন্যাশনাল বেস্টসেলার থ্রিলার উপন্যাসের লেখক, একগাদা বিখ্যাত ব্যবসাসফল হলিউড মুভির গল্পকার ও চিত্রনাট্যকার। একনামে তাকে বিশ্বের অধিকাংশ দেশের পাঠকই চিনে যায়। কিন্তু তিনি তার সাধারণ জীবন সংগ্রামের কথা ভুলে যাননি,লিখে রেখে গেছেন এই বইটাতে। বইটা শুধুমাত্র সিডনি শেলডনের জীবনী হিসেবে না দেখে যদি মোটিভেশনাল বইয়ের মতোও পড়েন তবুও শিখতে পারবেন অনেক কিছুই। জীবনের কোথাও হয়তো আপনি হাল ছেড়ে দেবার কথা ভাবছেন,এই বইটি পড়া থাকলে লেখক আপনাকে দ্বিতীয়বার ভাবাবেন। হয়তো ঘুরে দাঁড়াতে পারবেন।
বরাবরের মতোই সিডনির চমৎকার গল্পের মতোই ইন্টারেস্টিং লেখনী,বোর করবে না এক মূহুর্তের জন্যও। পড়তে পড়তে ভুলেই গিয়েছিলাম অনুবাদ পড়ছি,এতটাই সাবলীল। অনুবাদক লিখেছেন, "এটা সিডনি শেলডনের জীবনের সবটা না, কিছু অংশ মাত্র!" এক জীবনে একটা মানুষের কত অভিজ্ঞতা হতে পারে তার সামান্য কিছু উদাহরণ নিয়ে এই জীবনীটি। একজন সফল লেখক হিসেবে নিজেকে গড়ে তুলতে সিডনি তার জীবনের এইসব অভিজ্ঞতাই কাজে লাগিয়েছেন। সব ধরনের কাজের খুঁটিনাটি সম্পর্কে তার অগাধ জ্ঞান।
পাঠক, শুধু সিডনির গল্প পড়ে মুগ্ধ হলেই হবে? লেখককে জানুন।
মানুষ হিসেবে সিডনি শেচটেল শুধু সাধারণই ছিলেন না,তিনি ছিলেন নিম্ন মধ্যবিত্ত পরিবারের সন্তান। তার বাবার কোন নির্দিষ্ট চাকরি ছিলো না। আজ বিরাট বড় পেন্থহাউজে পরিবার নিয়ে বাস করছেন তো কাল বস্তিতে গিয়ে উঠছেন। সিডনি জীবনে এমন কোন কাজ বোধহয় নেই যা করেননি। ভাবা যায় বিশ্বখ্যাত এই থ্রিলার লেখক একসময় জুতার দোকানের সেলসম্যান ছিলেন। একসময় সিনেমা হলের সামনে দাঁড়িয়ে চিৎকার করে বলতেন,"আসুন ভালো সিনেমা আছে,দেখে যান,জায়গা আছে..."
জীবনে অনেক বড় কিছু করার স্বপ্ন ছিলো সিডনির বরাবরই। কিন্তু ছোটখাটো এসব কাজ করেই সারাজীবন কাটাতে হবে ভেবে আত্নহত্যা করতে যান একবার। বাবা ধরে ফেলেন তাকে। তিনি বলেন, "জীবন তো একটা উপন্যাসের মতো,যখন তখন পাতা উল্টাতে পারে। আর তুমি যেহেতু লেখক তোমার জীবনের পরের পাতাটা তুমিই লিখবে।"
তখন থেকেই সিডনি শুরু করেন তার জীবনের উপন্যাসের পাতা উল্টানো,একেকটা সাফল্যকে একেকটা পাতা হিসেবেই উল্লেখ করেছেন তিনি। সিডনি শেচটেল থেকে সিডনি শেলডন হয়ে ওঠার পুরো জার্নিটা আসলেই চমৎকার এক উপন্যাস।
লিখেছেন গান, বানিয়েছেন নাটক, সিনেমা। প্রথম জীবনে রিডারের কাজ করেছেন। অক্লান্ত পরিশ্রম করেছেন দিন থেকে রাত। একগাদা পার্টটাইম জব করার ফাঁকে ফাঁকেও লিখে গেছেন। কখনো কোন চাকরির অফার বা কোন নাটক/সিনেমা লেখার অফার সময়ের স্বল্পতার জন্য ফিরিয়ে দেননি। মনে মনে ভেবেছেন, "সম্ভব না" কিন্তু মুখে বলেছেন,"করবো"। এইভাবেই সাফল্য তার কাছে ধরা না দিয়ে পারেনি।
আমেরিকায় যুদ্ধ লাগলে সিডনি পাইলট হিসেবে দেশের কাজেও যোগ দেন, ফাঁকে ফাঁকে চালিয়ে গেছেন লেখালেখি। একটা মানুষ কত যে পরিশ্রম করতে পারে!
সিডনির সবচেয়ে বড় গুন উনি জানতেন যে উনি বড় কিছু একটা হবেনই। জ্যোতিষি তার হাত দেখে বলেছিলো,"তুমি একদিন বিশ্ববিখ্যাত হবে",সিডনির মা মনেপ্রাণে বিশ্বাস করতেন সেটা। আজ মানুষ তার সেই খ্যাতিটাই দেখে,এর পেছনে কত যে গল্প আছে তা জানতে হলে বইটি পড়তেই হবে। মানুষ কত কষ্ট কত ক্লান্তি সহ্য করতে পারে সফল হবার জন্য তা জানতে হলে সিডনিকে দেখতে হবে। তুমুল জনপ্রিয় এই লেখক একসময় তার লেখা নিয়ে প্রকাশকের দ্বারে দ্বারে ঘুরেও জবাব পাননি। এটা অবশ্য নতুন কিছু না। নতুনদের লেখা প্রকাশকরা না পড়েই রিজেক্ট করে দেন বরাবরই, বিখ্যাত অনেক মানুষের সাথেই এসব হয়েছে। কিন্তু সিডনি তার জন্য লেখা থামাননি। কোন অফার ফিরিয়ে দেননি,শত কাজের চাপেও লেখার জন্য সময় করে নিয়েছেন। একসময় নিউইয়র্ক,শিকাগো,সানফ্রান্সিসকো শহরে বিখ্যাত সিডনি শেলডন পায়ে হেঁটে ঘুরে বেড়িয়েছেন কারণ তার বাসভাড়া ছিলো না, হলিউডের দরজা থেকে ফিরে এসেছেন,করেছেন টেলিফোন সার্ভিস,হোটেলের বয়, ওষুধের দোকানের সেলসম্যানের চাকরির মত তুচ্ছাতিতুচ্ছ কাজগুলো। নিজেকে নিয়ে এত স্বপ্ন ছিলো তার যে যেখানেই যেতেন নিজেকে সেখানকার ভবিষ্যত মালিক কল্পনা করতেন,কারত তিনি জানতেন টিকে থাকতে পারলে তার দ্বারা এটা সম্ভব।
একবার হলিউডে কাজের সুযোগ পেয়েই যে হুহু করে জনপ্রিয় হতে শুরু করেছেন তাও না। শুরুতে কিছু বি গ্রেড মুভি তৈরি করার জন্য বড় কাজ পেতেও ঝামেলা হয়েছে তার। কেউ তার লেখা পড়ে নাক সিঁটকিয়ে বলেছেও, "এটা কি লিখেছো? হলিউডের নাম তুমিই ডোবাবে।"
সেই সিডনি শেলডন আজ একাধিক ইন্টারন্যাশনাল বেস্টসেলার থ্রিলার উপন্যাসের লেখক, একগাদা বিখ্যাত ব্যবসাসফল হলিউড মুভির গল্পকার ও চিত্রনাট্যকার। একনামে তাকে বিশ্বের অধিকাংশ দেশের পাঠকই চিনে যায়। কিন্তু তিনি তার সাধারণ জীবন সংগ্রামের কথা ভুলে যাননি,লিখে রেখে গেছেন এই বইটাতে। বইটা শুধুমাত্র সিডনি শেলডনের জীবনী হিসেবে না দেখে যদি মোটিভেশনাল বইয়ের মতোও পড়েন তবুও শিখতে পারবেন অনেক কিছুই। জীবনের কোথাও হয়তো আপনি হাল ছেড়ে দেবার কথা ভাবছেন,এই বইটি পড়া থাকলে লেখক আপনাকে দ্বিতীয়বার ভাবাবেন। হয়তো ঘুরে দাঁড়াতে পারবেন।
বরাবরের মতোই সিডনির চমৎকার গল্পের মতোই ইন্টারেস্টিং লেখনী,বোর করবে না এক মূহুর্তের জন্যও। পড়তে পড়তে ভুলেই গিয়েছিলাম অনুবাদ পড়ছি,এতটাই সাবলীল। অনুবাদক লিখেছেন, "এটা সিডনি শেলডনের জীবনের সবটা না, কিছু অংশ মাত্র!" এক জীবনে একটা মানুষের কত অভিজ্ঞতা হতে পারে তার সামান্য কিছু উদাহরণ নিয়ে এই জীবনীটি। একজন সফল লেখক হিসেবে নিজেকে গড়ে তুলতে সিডনি তার জীবনের এইসব অভিজ্ঞতাই কাজে লাগিয়েছেন। সব ধরনের কাজের খুঁটিনাটি সম্পর্কে তার অগাধ জ্ঞান।
পাঠক, শুধু সিডনির গল্প পড়ে মুগ্ধ হলেই হবে? লেখককে জানুন।
June 27, 2020
Sidney Sheldon adalah salah satu novelis pertama yg novel-novelnya memikat diriku dan membuat saya jadi kolektor buku. Biografi hidupnya ini memang gak terlalu lengkap tapi sangat menarik utk membaca caranya meniti karier dari yg benar-benar "dibawah" hingga naik (lift dgn istilah dari Sheldon) dan terkenal di seluruh dunia.
Sbg keturunan Yahudi Rusia dan hidup dlm rumahtangga yg disfungsional dan nyaris selalu kesulitan uang, membuat Sheldon harus kreatif dlm mencari uang utk menghidupi dirinya. Sheldon memulai pekerjaannya sbg Sales promotion tetapi tidak berhasil, menjadi aktor drama juga gak sukses. Sheldon bahkan pernah menjadi tukang teriak spy orang-orang menonton bioskop tempat dia dipekerjakan. Keuletan dan keberuntungan kecil memihak pada dirinya yg memiliki effort luar biasa. Dimulai dari keberanian utk memulai hal-hal remeh sbg penulis drama di Broadway dan Hollywood, Sheldon berhasil mendaki hingga ke puncak Hollywood dan mendapatkan Oscar.
Karier Sheldon tidak selalu di puncak dan berhenti sampai disitu saja. Sheldon mengalami pasang surut dlm kariernya dan keuangannya juga pernah spt "Alice in Wonderland". Sempat gak dapat job di Hollywood dan Broadway membuat Sheldon banting setir utk menangani tayangan televisi yg waktu itu masih baby di Amrik. Sheldon membuktikan effort dan kerja kerasnya membuahkan hasil. "The Patty Duke Show" dan "I Dream of Jeannie" adalah bukti usahanya yg fenomenal.
Apakah Sheldon berhenti setelah itu? Tidak. Sheldon mulai merambah menjadi novelis setelah berusia parobaya lebih dgn novel perdana yg nyaris gak laku, "The Naked Face". Kegagalannya ini spt kegagalan-kegagalan sebelumnya tidak membuat dirinya berhenti. Sheldon terus bekerja dan membuat banyak novelnya menjadi bestseller. Padahal Sheldon sendiri mengidap manik depresi alias bipolar yg sering punya keinginan utk bunuh diri. Keren kan.
Sidney Sheldon ini sangat menginspirasi bhw dimana ada kemauan pasti ada jalan. Masih banyak jalan ke Roma. Be a creator utk membuka jalanmu. Dan jangan lupa utk tetap berbuat kebaikan dan tidak merugikan orang lain. Gak nyangka kan usia Sheldon bisa mencapai nyaris 90 thn saat dirinya meninggal, dgn meninggalkan banyak warisan hebat dari dirinya.
Sbg keturunan Yahudi Rusia dan hidup dlm rumahtangga yg disfungsional dan nyaris selalu kesulitan uang, membuat Sheldon harus kreatif dlm mencari uang utk menghidupi dirinya. Sheldon memulai pekerjaannya sbg Sales promotion tetapi tidak berhasil, menjadi aktor drama juga gak sukses. Sheldon bahkan pernah menjadi tukang teriak spy orang-orang menonton bioskop tempat dia dipekerjakan. Keuletan dan keberuntungan kecil memihak pada dirinya yg memiliki effort luar biasa. Dimulai dari keberanian utk memulai hal-hal remeh sbg penulis drama di Broadway dan Hollywood, Sheldon berhasil mendaki hingga ke puncak Hollywood dan mendapatkan Oscar.
Karier Sheldon tidak selalu di puncak dan berhenti sampai disitu saja. Sheldon mengalami pasang surut dlm kariernya dan keuangannya juga pernah spt "Alice in Wonderland". Sempat gak dapat job di Hollywood dan Broadway membuat Sheldon banting setir utk menangani tayangan televisi yg waktu itu masih baby di Amrik. Sheldon membuktikan effort dan kerja kerasnya membuahkan hasil. "The Patty Duke Show" dan "I Dream of Jeannie" adalah bukti usahanya yg fenomenal.
Apakah Sheldon berhenti setelah itu? Tidak. Sheldon mulai merambah menjadi novelis setelah berusia parobaya lebih dgn novel perdana yg nyaris gak laku, "The Naked Face". Kegagalannya ini spt kegagalan-kegagalan sebelumnya tidak membuat dirinya berhenti. Sheldon terus bekerja dan membuat banyak novelnya menjadi bestseller. Padahal Sheldon sendiri mengidap manik depresi alias bipolar yg sering punya keinginan utk bunuh diri. Keren kan.
Sidney Sheldon ini sangat menginspirasi bhw dimana ada kemauan pasti ada jalan. Masih banyak jalan ke Roma. Be a creator utk membuka jalanmu. Dan jangan lupa utk tetap berbuat kebaikan dan tidak merugikan orang lain. Gak nyangka kan usia Sheldon bisa mencapai nyaris 90 thn saat dirinya meninggal, dgn meninggalkan banyak warisan hebat dari dirinya.
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October 16, 2008Failures we face in our lives will not continue forever.Everyone should learn a lesson from the failure and come out to find a new life.
February 6, 2022
เป็นอัตชีวประวัติที่ยาวทีเดียวสำหรับเล่มนี้ เขียนบอกเล่าชีวิตตนเองของ Sidney Sheldon นักเขียนผู้สามารถ
เล่าได้ละเอียดยิบตั้งแต่ครั้งยังไม่ได้จับปากกา-พิมพ์ดีด นั่นเลยเชียว นับว่าเป็นเล่มที่อ่านสนุกดี และให้แง่คิดชีวิตได้ดีมาก แม้จะมีบางคนรวบรัดหรือกระโดดไปบ้าง (ก็เขียนเล่าซะหมดเปลือกขนาดนี้นะ)
ป.ล.เราอ่านเล่มภาษาไทย แปลโดยคุณสุวิทย์ ขาวปลอด
เล่าได้ละเอียดยิบตั้งแต่ครั้งยังไม่ได้จับปากกา-พิมพ์ดีด นั่นเลยเชียว นับว่าเป็นเล่มที่อ่านสนุกดี และให้แง่คิดชีวิตได้ดีมาก แม้จะมีบางคนรวบรัดหรือกระโดดไปบ้าง (ก็เขียนเล่าซะหมดเปลือกขนาดนี้นะ)
ป.ล.เราอ่านเล่มภาษาไทย แปลโดยคุณสุวิทย์ ขาวปลอด
February 5, 2023
space:
p243: It stayed on the New York Times best-seller listfor fifty-two weeks.
Now, there's three authors that, at one time, were pilots that I know of.
There's no denying that Mr Sheldon has touched countless lives with his literary works. Happy trails to you, Mr Sheldon. The elevator will stay up for a while.
p243: It stayed on the New York Times best-seller listfor fifty-two weeks.
Now, there's three authors that, at one time, were pilots that I know of.
There's no denying that Mr Sheldon has touched countless lives with his literary works. Happy trails to you, Mr Sheldon. The elevator will stay up for a while.
May 10, 2021
Memorable quote:
"My happiness is an elusive balloon, waiting for me to grab it, floating from side to side with the wind, across oceans, big green meadows, trees and brooks, rustic pastoral scenes and rain-swept sidewalks." -Sidney Schechtel
"My happiness is an elusive balloon, waiting for me to grab it, floating from side to side with the wind, across oceans, big green meadows, trees and brooks, rustic pastoral scenes and rain-swept sidewalks." -Sidney Schechtel
March 17, 2018
You don’t know what can happen tomorrow. Life is like a novel, isn’t it? It’s filled with suspense. You have no idea what’s going to happen until you turn the page. Every day is a different page, and they can be full of surprises. You’ll never know what’s next until you turn the page, the page you’re going to write...
- Sidney Sheldon (The Other Side Of Me)
- Sidney Sheldon (The Other Side Of Me)
April 29, 2021
Yes - the author included a thousand celebrities - most of them unknown to me. Nevertheless, he expressed his feelings beautifully and sincerely. More than anything, the way he constantly embraced new challenges inspired me.
November 26, 2013
I really loved reading this book. I know Sidney Sheldon was an excellent story teller of Thriller and Suspense. But I never has the faintest idea that he had won Oscar award for best writer. I have read a few novels of him and all were great thrillers. I am a big fan of SS but once when i realised his life saga, the admiration really went up.
Grown up in a struggling family, Sidney was in a loss of Hope and Happiness. Everyone in his family forced to work to meet their daily needs. He was desperate during times of great American Depression. Finally he decided to end his life. But god has some other plans upon him. His father rescued him and says
"Life is like a Novel. Its filled with suspenses. You have no idea what's going to happen until you turn the page. Every day is a different page and they can be full of surprises. If you really want to commit suicide, Sidney, I understand. But I'd hate to see you close the book too soon and miss all the excitements that could happen to you on the next page. The page you are going to write".
After hearing his dads words Sidney decided to postpone his plan to die and thus started the beginning of a legend. Sidney worked as clerk, salesman, bus boy, usher and whatever opportunities coming along his life. Even though he did all these labours, he got a talent- to write. No one can ever take that talent away from him. He wrote stories which received appreciation from his teachers as well as from his peers. He went to sell his stories. He knocked lot of doors. Even at stages of helplessness he remembered his fathers words and he always expected a suspense in the next page of his life. Finally the stroke of luck came when he got offer to work as a reader to the then renowned producer David Selznick. Wings sprouted to his dreams. Slowly he built his reputation and became the hottest writers in Hollywood. He worked for MGM and Paramount, the biggest studio tycoons of the world. He wrote Broadway scripts which became huge success. He is not always successful, as everyone else he too tasted the bitterness of failure, several times. Each failures were lessons to him. He understood the mindset of people and what do they expect.
'The Bachelor and Bobby Soxer' brought him the Oscar for the best original screenplay. His epics 'Easter Parade' and 'Annie Get your Gun' became top grosser in Hollywood. Whereas 'The Buster Keaton Story' and 'Dream wife' were a few of his flops.
He joined US Army Air corps and trained as Pilot during the second world war but he never got a chance to fly a plane on war front. He returned back to Hollywood and worked with all the best actors, actress and directors of his time. Later in his life he created television shows like 'The Patty Duke Show', 'I dream of Jeanie' and 'Hart to hart'.
After that, One day, an idea of a story got into Sidneys mind. It was about a psychiatrist whom someone was trying to murder. The plot was introspective and it would be impossible to do in dramatic form because we need to get into psychiatrist head to see how he solved the problems. Thus he thought about writing a novel. That paved the way to his first novel 'The naked face'. It was a success. He realised the freedom of a novelist. A novelist can write what ever he needed without bothering the actor, actress or directors. He can put his full imaginations to readers. Keeping all these aspects he created his next novel- 'The Other Side of Midnight'. This novel became a classic phenomenon and an International Best-seller. Followed by this he wrote a series of novels and most of them became International Best-seller and he became World famous. Sidney Sheldon became world famous not because of his Oscar Award, Television shows or movies but through his novels.
His father were right, everyday in his life was filled with suspenses. The hope and the confidence to face these suspenses made him the master of his games.
If you know Hollywood of 40's,50's and 60's then you should read this autobiography. Because it reveals the green room stories of famous movie stars of those times.it includes characters like Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple, Irving Berlin etc..
Go for it guys. Its a very good read.
My verdict 4.5/5
Regards
Anish Antony
Grown up in a struggling family, Sidney was in a loss of Hope and Happiness. Everyone in his family forced to work to meet their daily needs. He was desperate during times of great American Depression. Finally he decided to end his life. But god has some other plans upon him. His father rescued him and says
"Life is like a Novel. Its filled with suspenses. You have no idea what's going to happen until you turn the page. Every day is a different page and they can be full of surprises. If you really want to commit suicide, Sidney, I understand. But I'd hate to see you close the book too soon and miss all the excitements that could happen to you on the next page. The page you are going to write".
After hearing his dads words Sidney decided to postpone his plan to die and thus started the beginning of a legend. Sidney worked as clerk, salesman, bus boy, usher and whatever opportunities coming along his life. Even though he did all these labours, he got a talent- to write. No one can ever take that talent away from him. He wrote stories which received appreciation from his teachers as well as from his peers. He went to sell his stories. He knocked lot of doors. Even at stages of helplessness he remembered his fathers words and he always expected a suspense in the next page of his life. Finally the stroke of luck came when he got offer to work as a reader to the then renowned producer David Selznick. Wings sprouted to his dreams. Slowly he built his reputation and became the hottest writers in Hollywood. He worked for MGM and Paramount, the biggest studio tycoons of the world. He wrote Broadway scripts which became huge success. He is not always successful, as everyone else he too tasted the bitterness of failure, several times. Each failures were lessons to him. He understood the mindset of people and what do they expect.
'The Bachelor and Bobby Soxer' brought him the Oscar for the best original screenplay. His epics 'Easter Parade' and 'Annie Get your Gun' became top grosser in Hollywood. Whereas 'The Buster Keaton Story' and 'Dream wife' were a few of his flops.
He joined US Army Air corps and trained as Pilot during the second world war but he never got a chance to fly a plane on war front. He returned back to Hollywood and worked with all the best actors, actress and directors of his time. Later in his life he created television shows like 'The Patty Duke Show', 'I dream of Jeanie' and 'Hart to hart'.
After that, One day, an idea of a story got into Sidneys mind. It was about a psychiatrist whom someone was trying to murder. The plot was introspective and it would be impossible to do in dramatic form because we need to get into psychiatrist head to see how he solved the problems. Thus he thought about writing a novel. That paved the way to his first novel 'The naked face'. It was a success. He realised the freedom of a novelist. A novelist can write what ever he needed without bothering the actor, actress or directors. He can put his full imaginations to readers. Keeping all these aspects he created his next novel- 'The Other Side of Midnight'. This novel became a classic phenomenon and an International Best-seller. Followed by this he wrote a series of novels and most of them became International Best-seller and he became World famous. Sidney Sheldon became world famous not because of his Oscar Award, Television shows or movies but through his novels.
His father were right, everyday in his life was filled with suspenses. The hope and the confidence to face these suspenses made him the master of his games.
If you know Hollywood of 40's,50's and 60's then you should read this autobiography. Because it reveals the green room stories of famous movie stars of those times.it includes characters like Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Temple, Irving Berlin etc..
Go for it guys. Its a very good read.
My verdict 4.5/5
Regards
Anish Antony
October 12, 2015
...but ready or not, life goes on.
America had had him in worst of it's time where he had predicaments and owned inadequacies then, that a third world country has today..
Except not much money.
He aspired affluence and some fame too.
His family was a turbulent one, Nothing new in West or in other Authors' Biographies.
He left his college and involved himself in petty jobs to cover their home expenses alongside he struggled to do something that involves writing. he dabbled with radio station, song writing, novel summarizing,and eventually screenwriting where he attained bit of fame. but he was hungry for more he became so obsessed with success that he had camouflaged his eyesight deficiency in medical test to be recruited in US Army. He got training too but he was caught with his medical destablization so he didn't became a soldier.
This was plainly a struggling story in his early teens and in Hollywood, was an attempt to perpetuate the long-gone name he had in 1950s, nothing novel about his life. He had had some bipolar syndrome signs in his teen, So I guess he troubled himself more than his life did..
The narration was simplist, And I was analytically reading it that it was hard to give more than 2 stars..
America had had him in worst of it's time where he had predicaments and owned inadequacies then, that a third world country has today..
Except not much money.
He aspired affluence and some fame too.
His family was a turbulent one, Nothing new in West or in other Authors' Biographies.
He left his college and involved himself in petty jobs to cover their home expenses alongside he struggled to do something that involves writing. he dabbled with radio station, song writing, novel summarizing,and eventually screenwriting where he attained bit of fame. but he was hungry for more he became so obsessed with success that he had camouflaged his eyesight deficiency in medical test to be recruited in US Army. He got training too but he was caught with his medical destablization so he didn't became a soldier.
This was plainly a struggling story in his early teens and in Hollywood, was an attempt to perpetuate the long-gone name he had in 1950s, nothing novel about his life. He had had some bipolar syndrome signs in his teen, So I guess he troubled himself more than his life did..
The narration was simplist, And I was analytically reading it that it was hard to give more than 2 stars..
August 9, 2021
Okay, this is a brilliant book.
The fact that it is so underrated breaks me but well I'm not that much missing at least not after reading this book.
God, I surely took the wrong era to take birth. Could've been the 1950s but no.
A very promising, intriguing, fascinating, amazing, and addicting(no wonder) book it was.
I've read only 3 novels by him (including this) and I'm so much in love with his work.
I read this autobiography without realizing it was an autobiography otherwise I always deny reading that but this book is just a brilliant piece of work by Sidney Sheldon.
Like, his earlier books before this one were very addicting and you just wanna read and do not wish to stop. His books are always going forward even if they are murders.
After reading this book, I wanted to go forward and keep moving and maybe never stop.
Loved his work, and I guess I'm going to be part of this fan club and going to watch all the movies and plays produced or directed by him and surely will read much more of his books.
I'm grateful to be introduced to this brilliant man.
The fact that it is so underrated breaks me but well I'm not that much missing at least not after reading this book.
God, I surely took the wrong era to take birth. Could've been the 1950s but no.
A very promising, intriguing, fascinating, amazing, and addicting(no wonder) book it was.
I've read only 3 novels by him (including this) and I'm so much in love with his work.
I read this autobiography without realizing it was an autobiography otherwise I always deny reading that but this book is just a brilliant piece of work by Sidney Sheldon.
Like, his earlier books before this one were very addicting and you just wanna read and do not wish to stop. His books are always going forward even if they are murders.
After reading this book, I wanted to go forward and keep moving and maybe never stop.
Loved his work, and I guess I'm going to be part of this fan club and going to watch all the movies and plays produced or directed by him and surely will read much more of his books.
I'm grateful to be introduced to this brilliant man.
May 17, 2011
What did I expect? This is an autobiography, so it isn't as interesting as his usual fictional books.The interesting thing about this however is that one can't STOP reading it also. I loved how he told the story of his uncle who was broke and had to 'steal' his work from him which won (lol!). It also gives one the sights and scenes of long ago when people like Cary Grant were big and a good insight on how Hollywood really IS. Sheldon teaches us that you have to have determination coupled with guts to REALLY make it but once you're THERE, you can get to go anywhere and follow any dream. He also discloses (trivia) that his character Tracey Whitney (If Tomorrow Comes) is the name of his grand daughter. I'd recommend this man's autobiography to anyone because it is both inspiring and motivational.
November 20, 2011
It was the title that caught my eye. A clever play with words, it is indicative both of arguably his best novel, The Other Side Of Midnight, and the story of the private Sheldon.
You have to hand it to the guy. He's had a career as a usher, bar-boy, druggist, bell-boy, hollywood, broadway, playwright, screenplay, nibbled at direction and production before finally becoming what he is now.
In short, this is an account of Sheldon's life and is an interesting read. This is not the regular self-promotion biography and neither is it an inspiring saga. It's just what Sheldon has given in the book's front jacket - memoirs; but presented in his very own inimitable style so that the collection of facts and dates don't peg u down.
You have to hand it to the guy. He's had a career as a usher, bar-boy, druggist, bell-boy, hollywood, broadway, playwright, screenplay, nibbled at direction and production before finally becoming what he is now.
In short, this is an account of Sheldon's life and is an interesting read. This is not the regular self-promotion biography and neither is it an inspiring saga. It's just what Sheldon has given in the book's front jacket - memoirs; but presented in his very own inimitable style so that the collection of facts and dates don't peg u down.
February 18, 2013
no wonder why many of Sidney's lead characters had a " horrible past " and they had to fight in a hard battle of life to gain a properly life. it was Sidney's past had experienced before. his Struggle to earn living was tough, rejection, disappointing, bitterness, he had them once.
i found myself was mesmerized by the pages i read about him. he had bipolar and he wasn't confident about himself, but as he said, " never go out when your elevator at the bottom, just hold on over and over again "
in case, i must confess that Sidney's experience of life was more like one of his Great Characters ... Jamie Mcgregor but thank God, his ambitious was not like Jamie but more like Gabriel Mcgregor...
i was glad i read The Other Side of You, Mr. Sheldon...
i found myself was mesmerized by the pages i read about him. he had bipolar and he wasn't confident about himself, but as he said, " never go out when your elevator at the bottom, just hold on over and over again "
in case, i must confess that Sidney's experience of life was more like one of his Great Characters ... Jamie Mcgregor but thank God, his ambitious was not like Jamie but more like Gabriel Mcgregor...
i was glad i read The Other Side of You, Mr. Sheldon...
May 10, 2015
Too many names of people Sheldon's come across in Hollywood. One gets enough of the names that one can't keep track of who's who. (not that it's important) The book lacks substance and is quite dull. Though it's an inspirational book, it's quite unlike his other books. Having read books like Bloodline and Rage of Angels, I find this book not up to my expected 'Sheldon standard'.
November 23, 2015
Frankly, I was kind of bored in the middle. He focused too much on Hollywood and not much on the novels but I guess that's what it is all about 'The other side of me'.
Still, its great to know so much about him. The book is really slow compared to his novels but let's not compare autobiography with fictional books.
Still, its great to know so much about him. The book is really slow compared to his novels but let's not compare autobiography with fictional books.
February 1, 2019
There's no business like show business! Clearly Sheldon was not only an incredibly creative writer, he was also tenacious and a workaholic! His autobiography, albeit somewhat emotionally vacant, is highly entertaining, honest, and a real insight into the highs and lows of being a Hollywood writer. I have a renewed admiration for this most prolific, diverse and talented of authors!
March 23, 2014
Written for a fifth grade intelligence.
November 17, 2021
Mas que obra senhoras e senhores! Sidney Sheldon foi um mestre, o Pelé do Show Business. Passou por uma infância muito conturbada, viveu no contexto da Grande Depressão. Quase se suicidou quando adolescente, mas graças ao seu pai, Otto, foi aconselhado a esperar para ver a próxima página da vida dele virar. E como o elevador subiu! Mas como também desceu... Sheldon foi um grande exemplo de que a vida é que nem um carrossel: uma hora estamos embaixo e outras em cima. Me lembra até o hit "That's Life", de Frank Sinatra:
'You're riding high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June'
Enfim, o livro foi excelente e o devorei de tão bom que foi. Uma pena que nunca havia ouvido falar de uma figura tão simbólica: não foi à toa que teve sucesso como roteirista, produtor, diretor e, por fim, romancista. Uma verdadeira lição de perseverança e a importância das amizades na vida profissional porém, sobretudo, na vida pessoal.
'You're riding high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June'
Enfim, o livro foi excelente e o devorei de tão bom que foi. Uma pena que nunca havia ouvido falar de uma figura tão simbólica: não foi à toa que teve sucesso como roteirista, produtor, diretor e, por fim, romancista. Uma verdadeira lição de perseverança e a importância das amizades na vida profissional porém, sobretudo, na vida pessoal.
September 26, 2020
This is an amazing autobiography. The guy who ones thought of suicide soon after became the world's renowned storyteller, producer, director, novelist.
The story of Sidney Sheldon is really inspiring and it conveys that Life gives chance to everyone we just need to keep turning the pages of this book called LIFE.
If you are an artist you should really pick this one up. It will surely inspire you.
The story of Sidney Sheldon is really inspiring and it conveys that Life gives chance to everyone we just need to keep turning the pages of this book called LIFE.
If you are an artist you should really pick this one up. It will surely inspire you.
January 3, 2022
3.2 actually. First half of the book is quite interesting but the later half is repetitive.
Instead of writing about the movies, actors and show business..he should have mentioned about his researches for his novels. Sounds more interesting.
Instead of writing about the movies, actors and show business..he should have mentioned about his researches for his novels. Sounds more interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2018
Life is like an elevator, the trick is not to get down when it hits the bottom.
Interesting autobiography to read.
Interesting autobiography to read.
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